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"IPR Daily邀请INTA首席执行官Etienne Sanz de Acedo,向中国朋友展示INTA2024年会的精彩纷呈。 ”
Source: IPRdaily Chinese Network (iprdaily.cn)
Author: Li Meng, Wang Doudou, Wang Ying
The 146th Annual Conference of the International Trademark Association (INTA), an annual gathering of global IP professionals, will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from May 18 to 22, 2024. It is one of the world's largest trademark industry events, bringing together more than 10,000 IP practitioners, business leaders, brand owners, government officials and related professionals from 136 countries and territories in Atlanta.
Headquartered in New York, the International Trademark Association (INTA) is an international organization of brand owners and professionals dedicated to protecting trademarks and related intellectual property rights to enhance consumer trust, promote economic development and innovation, and build a better society through brands.
In order to get a sneak peek at the INTA2024 Atlanta Annual Meeting, IPR Daily invited INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo to present the excitement of the INTA2024 Annual Meeting to Chinese friends.
INTA首席执行官Etienne Sanz de Acedo
IPR DAILY: The INTA2024 Annual Meeting is coming up, how are the preparations going?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: The number of participants at the annual meeting has exceeded 9,600, which is very impressive. We expect the total number to probably exceed 10,000. I think the preparations are going very well and we are now in the final stages of refining the details.
IPR DAILY: WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S INTA CONVENTION COMPARED TO LAST YEAR?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: This year's Annual Meeting will continue with a two-track model: one for IP and Innovation, and the other for Business, which is now in its second year and has been very well received. We are preparing for some new attempts: the annual meeting will feature more seminars covering case law in the United States, China, India, and Europe. In addition, it is crucial that May 20 is designated as China Day, and representatives of relevant Chinese government departments will be present to speak. In addition, we launched the China Enforcement Seminar for the first time.
From a social perspective, we have expanded our innovation market and exhibitor area with 163 exhibitors already in place. Discussions will focus on AI, technology and IP. We have also introduced a "sports arena" within the exhibition grounds, including football, volleyball, tennis and squash to provide attendees with opportunities for sports and networking. This setup is designed to facilitate social networking, customer communication, and sharing of best practices among attendees.
On the creative side, the annual meeting will feature a photo exhibition where INTA members and volunteers can showcase their work. Proceeds from the auction of the exhibits will be used to support the public welfare of the INTA Foundation.
In addition, we designed a cool 2024 Annual Meeting logo, and the Annual Meeting Souvenir Shop will sell eco-friendly Annual Meeting-themed merchandise, and attendees can also order their own souvenirs on site.
IPR DAILY: As INTA celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023, what new initiatives and programs are currently being implemented by INTA to strengthen cooperation with local government departments in China? How will these initiatives help Chinese members better participate in INTA activities?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: It is a great honor for me to be able to participate in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of INTA China. It is worth noting that the China Representative Office is the first overseas representative office opened by INTA, and the office was initially located in Shanghai and later moved to Beijing.
We maintain a close working relationship with the Chinese government and our members, with two Chinese members on the INTA Board of Directors and some Chinese members serving in leadership positions on various committees and project teams at INTA.
In the field of government cooperation, we have extensive exchanges and cooperation with the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Chinese court system. During my recent trip to China, I had the privilege of visiting the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, and this experience left a deep impression on me.
In addition, our meeting with the Shanghai Higher People's Court also achieved good results. We meet regularly with the Supreme People's Court. China's evolving legislative environment has received a positive response, and we are honored to be able to make our due contribution. In addition, the continuous improvement in the quality of Chinese court rulings is also worth paying attention to.
At this year's Annual Meeting in Atlanta, we are once again honored to welcome our Chinese members and colleagues as China Day on May 20. In addition to participating in the Annual Meeting "China Day" activities, our Chinese members will also actively participate in other conferences and activities during the Annual Meeting.
IPR DAILY: HOW WILL THESE INITIATIVES HELP CHINESE MEMBERS BETTER PARTICIPATE IN INTA ACTIVITIES?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: As I mentioned, China Day includes a seminar on enforcement in China, which aims to give the world an insight into the evolving IP environment in China. For Chinese members, these events are very meaningful as representatives of Chinese government departments are able to share valuable observations and information.
The true value of the INTA Annual Meeting is that it provides a broader opportunity for Chinese members, including corporates and law firms, to participate deeply in educational forums, committee work, and support their clients' globalization journeys. INTA is committed to supporting Chinese companies to go global, helping Chinese brand rights holders understand the IP systems of different jurisdictions, and implement important concepts such as branding, brand licensing and IP valuation.
In addition, INTA fully recognizes the importance of multiculturalism and advises Chinese companies to adjust their strategies in a timely manner when entering the international market. The INTA Annual Meeting will help to support Chinese members to effectively explore the global market.
IPR DAILY: INTA HAS DESIGNATED MAY 20 AS "INTA CHINA DAY", WHY IS THERE SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT? What message does INTA hope to send to its members and industry in China through this initiative?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: Of course, I want our message to be very clear, that the Chinese market is extremely important for foreign companies. Equally important, INTA is committed to supporting Chinese companies in their global growth, and we are committed to this commitment.
As an international organization representing brand owners and professionals, INTA attaches great importance to China's active participation and contribution. From the setting of "China Day" to the continuous communication and exchanges over the years, these measures underscore INTA's unwavering support for China's integration into the global IP governance system and ensure that relevant Chinese actors can make great progress with INTA's support. In my 11 years at INTA, I have always seen China as an important part of INTA's global strategy and vision.
IPR DAILY: Given the growing importance of the Chinese market in the global IP landscape, is INTA considering holding an annual meeting in Chinese mainland? What is INTA's future strategic plan in China?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: The INTA Annual Meeting needs to be well prepared, especially with tens of thousands of attendees. We hold our annual meetings outside of North America every three years, demonstrating INTA's commitment to globalization, with Europe and Asia as well as the Middle East.
We do not rule out the possibility of holding the annual meeting in Chinese mainland, but it will require meticulous preparations in advance, and plans are already in place for the next few years. Nonetheless, INTA remains open to exploring new geographies and opportunities, including the opportunity to host the INTA Annual Meeting in Chinese mainland, as part of our commitment to globalization and inclusivity.
IPR DAILY: THE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON THE ANNUAL MEETING, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS OF INTA IN PROMOTING IP PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: In recent years, and especially in 2023, we have been proud of the breadth and depth of INTA's initiatives, activities. We support the development of a legal framework for the protection of brand owners and consumers, such as exemplary design legal advice and board resolutions on the liability of third-party platforms; At the same time, we have published a number of reports, such as studies on managing IP portfolios and increasing public understanding of IP in times of economic crisis, which underscore INTA's ongoing commitment to IP education and awareness.
In addition, the 2024 Chair's Task Force focused on IP and sustainability, demonstrating INTA's commitment to addressing priority issues in the field of IP, such as environmental sustainability. Our global policy dialogues, amicus curiae and judges' seminars help foster better law and practice to protect the integrity of intellectual property rights.
Overall, INTA's comprehensive approach reflects our commitment to safeguarding the interests of our members while moving towards a more balanced and effective global IP policy.
IPR DAILY: ARE THE INTA ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH REPORTS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: It's important for INTA to be open and inclusive. We continue to provide high-value, open resources to our members and the IP community around the world. We encourage Chinese companies to actively participate and become INTA members, and we look forward to their Chinese colleagues actively contributing to the development of the agenda and initiatives.
We also use Wordly's AI translation solution to make our event more welcoming and inclusive by demonstrating our commitment to expanding our outreach and fostering cross-cultural communication. We adopt new technologies and lead innovative practices to better serve our diverse membership and stakeholders.
In addition, we provide education and awareness resources to non-INTA members. The INTA Public Information Committee's Newsletter, INTA2023 Chair's Task Force Topic: Demystifying Intellectual Property, will provide professional and resource support to the media industry to help media outlets more accurately report and promote intellectual property. INTA represents the global IP community and is committed to providing comprehensive benchmarks, best practices, and future-oriented thinking and insights.
IPR DAILY: DO YOU THINK THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL AFFECT THE GLOBAL IP INDUSTRY? Can you look forward to the future development trend of the IP industry?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: Of course, there are significant challenges and new trends in the field of IP. International coordination, the fight against infringement and piracy, brand protection, and understanding the economic value of IP were all important. In addition, it makes sense to explore changes in consumer behavior and their impact on intellectual property.
In terms of technology, blockchain, the metaverse, and artificial intelligence have all had a significant impact, with AI being the most enduring in development. Quantum computing is also emerging as a potentially transformative factor in the field of intellectual property.
In addition, the growing importance of trade secrets underscores the evolution of IP law and the need to strengthen protection in this area. Together, these trends are shaping the future of IP and require the legal and business communities to constantly explore and adapt.
IPR DAILY: THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS INTERVIEW. What else do you have to share?
Etienne Sanz de Acedo: It is my pleasure to discuss these important topics with you. It is essential to encourage Chinese members to participate in the INTA Annual Meeting to promote international cooperation and keep abreast of the latest trends in IP. In just five days, attendees will gain important observations and insights that will help not only understand where the industry is headed, but also help predict future trends. The active participation of Chinese companies enriches our work and contributes to improving global IP governance.
I would like to thank the Chinese government departments and relevant institutions for their support and participation, which is essential to maintain constructive cooperation and promote mutual understanding among the international IP community. We value the participation of our Chinese partners, who make an important contribution to the building of the INTA global community.
(原标题:IPR Daily对话INTA首席执行官:Etienne Sanz de Acedo——畅聊年会新看点,中国日程引关注)
Source: IPRdaily Chinese Network (iprdaily.cn)
Author: Li Meng, Wang Doudou, Wang Ying
编辑:IPRdaily辛夷 校对:IPRdaily纵横君