Kilpatrick partner named US intellectual property enforcement coordinator

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Kilpatrick partner named US intellectual property enforcement coordinator

Danny Marti, partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to become the next US intellectual property enforcement coordinator

danny20marti200.jpg

The position –dubbed the White House’s “piracy czar” for its emphasis on tackling copyright infringement—is housed at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. According to the coordinator’s office website, the role is dedicated more broadly to the protection of intellectual property in America.

Marti, who has previously served as the chair of Kilpatrick’s diversity council and co-chair of its intellectual asset acquisitions and transactions team, takes the role that Victoria Espinel left in August 2013. He will require Senate confirmation before assuming the role.

Marti’s nomination was greeted across the entertainment spectrum. Positive statements were issued from such institutions as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Recording Industry Association of America, the Entertainment Software Association, and NBCUniversal, among others.

“Danny’s impressive record of commitment to enforcing IP rights in the Internet age makes him a particularly strong choice,” said MPAA CEO and former Senator Chris Dodd. “We urge the Senate to confirm him without delay for this important job.”

David Hirschman, president and CEO, Global Intellectual Property Center, also commented: "We are pleased to see the administration moving forward with filling this critical role and the Chamber is anxious to build on the successes and momentum already established by the White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator. As Congress recognized when it created this position in 2008 with strong bipartisan support, American consumers, workers and job creators, benefit from this critical effort to protect our creative and innovative industries.‎"




more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Public figures are turning to trademark protection to combat the threat of AI deepfakes and are monetising their brand through licensing deals, a trend that law firms are keen to capitalise on
News of Avanci Video signing its first video licence and a win for patent innovators in Australia were also among the top talking points
Tom Melsheimer, part of a nine-partner team to join King & Spalding from Winston & Strawn, says the move reflects Texas’s appeal as a venue for high-stakes patent litigation
AI patents and dairy trademarks are at the centre of two judgments to be handed down next week
Jennifer Che explains how taking on the managing director role at her firm has offered a new perspective, and why Hong Kong is seeing a life sciences boom
AG Barr acquires drinks makers Fentimans and Frobishers, in deals worth more than £50m in total
Tarun Khurana at Khurana & Khurana says corporates must take the lead if patent filing activity is to truly translate into innovation
Michael Moore, head of legal at Glean AI, discusses how in-house IP teams can use AI while protecting enforceability
Counsel for SEP owners and implementers are keeping an eye on the case, which could help shape patent enforcement strategy for years to come
Jacob Schroeder explains how he and his team secured victory for Promptu in a long-running patent infringement battle with Comcast
Gift this article