Espinel quits as IP tsar

She was appointed to the new position in September 2009, with responsibility for President Obama’s overall IP enforcement strategy.

In a speech in 2011, she said she wanted to improve enforcement for US rights owners overseas. She was interviewed by Managing IP in July 2010.

Prior to joining the government, she worked at Covington & Burling.

Her role is temporarily being split between Howard Shelanski of the Office of information and Regulatory Affairs and IPEC chief of staff Alex Niejelow, who will handle policy issues.

Both copyright owner groups such as the MPAA and RIAA and activists such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation praised Espinel’s work following her resignation. Online rumours have linked her with the vacant position as CEO of the Business Software Alliance.