The Intellectual Property Attache Act (IPAA) was unveiled by U.S. Representative Lamar S. Smith on July 9, 2012.

[2] This act was a section of the previously unsuccessful Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) which did not pass its markup by the House Judiciary Committee.

[3] The bill's aim was to increase the presence of intellectual property attaches around the world.

[4] These attaches would play the role of intellectual property "diplomats" for the United States, encouraging other countries to enforce copyright laws.

[4] The attaches, currently linked to the US Patent and Trademark Office, would be set up in the Commerce Department.