WASHINGTON (March 10, 2026) — The Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) is pleased to announce that Andrew Byrnes, a distinguished intellectual property expert with decades of experience, has joined its Advisory Board.
“A strong intellectual property system is one of the foundations of American innovation,” said Byrnes. “I’m honored to join the C4IP Advisory Board and look forward to contributing my experience across law, business, and government, and my work in technology and the arts, to advance policies that empower inventors and creators.”
Andrew brings more than 25 years of experience in law and public policy. He has held leadership roles in both the private sector and federal government, including serving as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He is the founder and principal of Byrnes Impact, where he advises technologists and artists as they navigate legal, regulatory, and public affairs challenges while scaling their ideas and businesses.
“Andrew brings a rare combination of policy leadership and practical experience working with innovators and creators,” said David Kappos, board co-chair of C4IP and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director from 2009 to 2013. “His perspective on the challenges innovators face in navigating complex policy and regulatory environments will be invaluable to C4IP as it works to advance pro-innovation policies.”
“Andrew’s career has given him a unique understanding of how a balanced patent system supports new technologies, creative industries and consumers of innovation alike,” said Andrei Iancu, board co-chair of C4IP and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director from 2018 to 2021. “C4IP is excited to learn from his insights to strengthen the role of intellectual property in driving U.S. innovation, job creation and economic growth.”
More information about the advisory board can be found here.
About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere.