2019 Annual Meeting

Course on International Trademark Law and Practice

(Day 1; advance registration required; CLE credit available)

This course is meant to provide a comparative analysis of trademark law and practice in countries around the world. Depending on the topic, the focus will vary from historical, philosophical, and legal perspectives to practical “how to” tips and advice. Each international jurisdiction covered in the course will be taught by a professor or practitioner from that region. Practitioners new to trademark law, law and paralegal students, trademark administrators, and in-house counsel seeking to obtain a well-rounded overview of trademark law and practice from around the globe, are encouraged to attend.

Continental Breakfast

Continental breakfast will be served daily until 10:00 am in the Hospitality Area on the Exhibit Hall Level, Hall A.

Anticounterfeiting Workshop: Combating Counterfeiting: Online and Offline

(Exclusive to in-house practitioners and government officials)

This workshop presents an opportunity for key stakeholders in the fight against counterfeiting to work together in a closed-door environment, sharing their perspectives, discussing lessons learned and best practices, and exploring ways to enhance collaboration and cooperation.

One of the biggest challenges to brand owners today is the sophistication of counterfeiters and their creativity in leveraging technological advancements, as they infiltrate legitimate business channels to grow their nefarious networks and consequently their bottom lines. The return on investment for a counterfeiter is high and it is a constant struggle for brand owners and governments to effectively destroy well-funded counterfeiting rings. This workshop will explore creative solutions to a growing problem, including leveraging criminal enforcement routes, non-IP‒based legal actions, and more.

Fee: US $100

The registration fee includes coffee breaks and lunch.

Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. Registration is nonrefundable, but substitutions are allowed and space is limited.

Already registered for the Annual Meeting? To add events, sessions, and guests to your registration, log into the Registrant Portal and click Add Sessions/Events on the top menu, and then click Add Guest/Session on the right menu.

Board of Directors Meeting

Career Development Day

A day of programming designed just for students.

Registration and Hospitality

CSA20 Character Wars: Trademarks vs. Copyright Protection for Fictional Characters

Fictional characters that appear in movies, TV shows, books, comic books, and other media are incredibly important and valuable IP assets for many companies. To protect and enforce rights in characters, companies must rely upon a patchwork combination of trademark and copyright laws that may differ greatly from country to country.

Panelists will explore these concepts as they relate to trademark and copyright law in the U.S., Chinese, European, and Mexican markets and will offer insight on the following questions:

• Under what bodies of law and unique circumstances is it possible to protect rights in characters?
• What steps should companies take to maximize their rights in characters (e.g., registration under copyright or trademark law or under a specific national system, such as the Reserva system in Mexico)?
• Are there any unique measures or strategies companies should have in their enforcement toolkits?
• Can we identify patterns in how characters are protected under trademark and copyright laws in different countries, and can we group these countries with common means of protection?

Moderator:
Jeffrey R. Cadwell, Dorsey & Whitney LLP (United States)

Speakers:
Chantal Koller, Novagraaf Switzerland SA (Switzerland)
Michael Lovitz, Lovitz IP Law PC (United States)
Christopher William Smith, Baker & McKenzie Hong Kong (Hong Kong, SAR)

CSA21 Marketers Are from Mars, Lawyers Are from Venus: A Guide to Better Understanding and Improved Business Outcomes

In the famous 1992 book, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, author John Gray explains how to avoid relationship problems that are a result of fundamental psychological and communication differences between the sexes. Today, with the help of the American Marketing Association (AMA), we will explore how marketers and lawyers can learn to communicate more clearly and avoid relationship problems that stem from fundamental differences in perspectives and expectations of these roles. The panel will examine the following areas:

• The view from Mars—the factors that influence the goals of marketing professionals, including digital marketing, marketing metrics, research strategies, and user experience
• Setting a solid foundation—effective training and rules of engagement that give marketing professionals the tools and freedom to compete in real time
• Stakeholder management—balancing the goals and priorities of management, marketing, and legal for the successful launch of brands or advertising campaigns
• Keeping up with the speed of business—tactics and strategies that accelerate execution of marketing initiatives and expedite legal review and clearance

Moderator:
James McCarthy, Norvell IP (United States)

Speakers: 
David H. McDonald, Johnson & Johnson (United States)
Jennifer Faris Severns, American Marketing Association (United States)

CSA22 Assembling the Super Team: Leveraging Your Group’s Strengths to Maximize Performance  

This session will look at how to better understand and improve your team makeup, including how to identify and leverage team members’ individual interests, strengths, and motivations; techniques for influencing team members; and when to bring additional team members on board and what to look for in those individuals based on the existing team—all to achieve best results.

Moderator: 
Allan Jarry, JARRY IP (Chile)

Speakers: 
Keith Goudy, Vantage Leadership (United States)
Alexander Caillet, Corentus (United States)
Scott Thompson, Mars, Incorporated (United States)

Luncheon Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Bikes for Kids: A Team-Building and Charity Event
(Advance registration required)

The Bikes for Kids event is a great way for Annual Meeting registrants to get to know one another while giving back to the city and children of Boston, all while learning secrets behind building a high-functioning team. During this event, teams of participants will have fun competing in hands-on exercises to earn the tools necessary for proper assembly of bikes. The assembled bikes will be donated to local nonprofit organizations that work with children and youth of Boston. The end result is life-changing, not only for you, but for the kids who receive the bikes.

Registration is US $45 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. Please wear comfortable clothing for this event. Refreshments are included. Fee is nonrefundable.

CSA23 Beyond the Trademark Portfolio: 360° Data Management

Intermediate Level

Recent developments in platform management now enable companies to obtain an enterprise-wide view of all content assets that goes beyond the limits of trademark considerations. The result is to make enterprise content management concerns—including data management and security; protection from IP infringement; and global trademark management—all part of a single, integrated platform and process for content.

Moderator:
Chris Kenneally, Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (United States)
Speaker:
Christopher Chaudoir, Chevron Corporation (United States)
Babis Marmanis, Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (United States)
Sandra Mau. CompuMark (United States)

CSA24 A Psychological Thriller—Mediation in Action

Intermediate Level

Experience how parties interact with each other and the mediator, as well as how decisions are made when they mediate. This time-lapsed mediation will take you inside the minds of experienced in-house and outside counsel, as well as that of a seasoned mediator, during different stages of a mediation as they work to resolve a fictional trademark licensing dispute. During the mediation, a psychologist will provide analysis on body language, mood, and tone of the participants and demonstrate how they can impact the mediation. Through this session, gain insight into:

• The goals and motivations of the parties involved in a mediation
• How the experience and objectives of the parties impact a mediation
• How understanding the psychology of all the parties involved in a mediation can help you develop a mediation strategy to better advise clients

Moderator:
Dan Frohling, Loeb & Loeb LLP (United States)

Parties:
Counsel for party: Kevin J. McDevitt, Neal & McDevitt, LLC (United States)
Counsel for party: Howard J. Shire, Pepper Hamilton LLP (United States)
In-house counsel: Jay Michael Burgett, Mars Wrigley Confectionery (United States)
In-house counsel: Lora Moffatt, Chanel, Inc. (United States)
Mediator: Donald Prutzman, Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP (United States)
Psychologist: Eric Drogin, Harvard Medical School (United States)

CSA25 Geographical Indications Around the World

This panel will provide an overview of the current state of the law in key countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America. By utilizing case studies, the panel will provide the current state of protection and enforcement issues with respect to geographic indications.

Moderator:
James Tumbridge, Venner Shipley LLP (United Kingdom)

Speakers:
Guizeng (Wayne) Liu, YUANHE PARTNERS (China)
Shawna Morris, Consortium for Common Food Names (United States)
Andrew Papadopoulos, KISCH IP (South Africa)
Elio De Tullio, De Tullio & Partners (Italy)
Julian Vadillo, Agency Firma, SC (Mexico)

CSA26 4D Printing: How Is 4D Printing Revolutionizing the World In Which We Live?

The biggest breakthroughs in how we make things are not in the technology to manipulate materials, but in the materials themselves. Such is the thinking behind 4D printing, an experimental approach to manufacturing that expands on the much-hyped 3D printing processes. This session will help attendees understand better:

• What is 4D printing? Speakers will discuss the evolution of 4D printing technology as it moves rapidly from an experimental technology to a major component of the manufacturing process.
• How is it different from 3D printing? Speakers will review its origins and the manners in which the printed products can change and develop over time (the 4th dimension).
• What are the industries and companies already using 4D printing technology?
• What challenges and opportunities does 4D printing pose to brand professionals?

Moderator:
Laura J. Winston, Offit Kurman (United States)

Speakers:
Carolyn Knecht, HP Inc. (United States)
Dr. Julian Potter, WP Thompson, International Technology Law Association (ITECHLaw) (United Kingdom)
Marc Trachtenberg, Greenberg Traurig, LLP (United States)

CSA50 Trademark Administrators Idea Exchange and Best Practices

CLE is not being offered for this session.

Join INTA’s Trademark Administrators Committee as it hosts a moderated and lively interactive session for Trademark Administrators. This session is designed as a rotating roundtable discussion about various best practice and career development topics. Attendees will select up to two topics and participate in a small group discussion on each topic in 30-minute intervals. The goal of the session is to encourage attendees to have exciting discussions, share and learn best practices, and network with their peers.

CSA51 The Clash of Branding with Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions: A New Approach to Trademark Clearance

Brand Owners and their advisors need to be aware of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCE) when selecting and clearing brands. A recent court decision dealing with the intersection between trademarks and terms and symbols considered derogatory to indigenous people noted it is not “a ‘hardship’ for trademark lawyers to have to consult human rights lawyers before advising clients on trademark matters.” Speakers will provide an overview of TK and TCE and examine how different countries have addressed the interaction of trademarks and TK/TCE.

Moderator:
Robert MacDonald, Gowling WLG (Canada)

Speakers: 
Jern Ern Chuah, Advanz Fidelis SDN BHD (Malaysia)
Ambassador Keith M. Harper, Kilpatrick Townsend (United States)
Lynell Tuffery Huria, AJ Park (New Zealand)
Tracy Rengecas, MacRobert Inc. (South Africa)
Pablo Wegbrait, Kors Noviks (Argentina)

CSA52 Holy Mackerel! Identifying and Addressing Phishing of Your Employees and Customers

Intermediate Level

Phishing schemes are becoming regular news items. Phishing incidents can compromise personal and financial data of employees and customers alike. A company’s brand can be damaged if the phishing victims have a bad experience and hold the brand accountable. How brands address phishing attacks is critical to maintaining customer relationships and ultimately brand value. The panel will discuss the who, what, where, why, and how of phishing attacks, including the following topics:

• How to identify phishing attacks.
• Who is targeted for phishing and why.
• Different approaches to addressing phishing, including internal and external methods and stakeholders.

Moderator: 
Raphael Gutierrez, Uber Technologies, Inc. (United States)

Speakers:
Relani Belous (United States)
Shawn Henry, Crowdstrike Services (United States)
Michael H. Lashlee, Mastercard (United States)
Steven J. Shapiro, Federal Bureau of Investigation (United States)

CSA53 Comparative Design Remedies

The laws of a jurisdiction providing remedies for design patent infringement determine the strength of its design patent system as a whole. Strong remedies for design patent infringement act as a deterrent against those who might look to copy designs; while weak remedies encourage knockoffs. This session will address the remedial laws once infringement has been determined including monetary remedies (including traditional damages, lost profits, statutory damages, and infringer’s profits) as well as injunctive relief. The session will also address types of design enforcements including whether jurisdictions have customs enforcement provisions and their effectiveness. Speakers will also provide design patent enforcement advice from a global nature as infringements are rarely limited to a single country.

Moderator: 
Robert S. Katz, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. (United States)

Speakers:  
Guanyang Yao, Liu, Shen & Associates (China)
Ivan Sempere, PADIMA (Spain)
Sarah Burstein, University of Oklahoma College of Law (United States)
Tracy-Gene G. Durkin, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. (United States)

Annual Meeting Registrant First-Time Orientation and Reception 

Learn from experienced Annual Meeting attendees about the many resources and opportunities for education and networking; also find out how to navigate the Exhibition Hall and make the best use of your time. Don’t miss out on this informative event and discover what’s new at this year’s Meeting. After you hear from experienced INTA attendees about how to maximize your time at the Meeting, stick around to network with other first-time attendees and get to know each other better.

First-time attendees, young practitioners, and students, as well as new INTA members, will find this orientation essential to making the most of their first Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to network at a reception after the session.
Moderator:
Michelle Ciotola, Cantor Colburn LLP
Speakers:
Peter Dernbach, Winkler Partners (Taiwan)
Karina Dimidjian-Lecomte, Casalonga (France)
Kelly McCarthy, Sideman & Bancroft LLP (USA)
Ronald van Tuijl, JT International S.A. (Switzerland)

Registration and Hospitality

Continental Breakfast

Continental breakfast will be served daily until 10:00 am in the Hospitality Area on the Exhibit Hall Level, Hall A.

Course on International Trademark Law and Practice 

(Day 2; advance registration required; CLE credit available)   
 
The course is designed to provide a comparative analysis of trademark law and practice in countries around the world. See Saturday’s program for a full description.

Breakfast Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

CSU00 International IP Court Is in Session: Judges from International Jurisdictions Discuss Hot Topics in Trademark Law

Judges from Canada, Germany, the European Union, India, Ecuador, Kenya, China and Japan will discuss cases circling around hot topics, such as, well-known marks protection and where it ends, proof of use despite absence of local presence, referential use of TMs by third parties for parts, parody and other pursuits, bad faith filings and good faith decisions, and the difference between goodwill and reputation in cross-border clashes. Join us as we dive deeper into these topic and the esteemed panel shares their thoughts.

Participating Judges:

Hugo Gómez Apac, President of the Andean Community Court of Justice (Ecuador)
Marianne Grabrucker, Former Presiding Judge at Federal Patent Court of Germany Mme. President Circle of European Trademark Judges (CET-J) (Germany)
Michael Manson, Justice, Federal Court of Canada (Canada)
Yuanming Qin, Presiding Judge, Supreme People’s Court of China (China)
Sumiko Sekine, IP High Court of Japan (Japan)
Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, Judge, Supreme Court of India (india)
Andrej Stec, Referendaire, General Court of the European Union (Luxembourg)
Márcia Maria Nunes de Barros, Federal Judge (Brazil)

The Road to 2025: What’s Next for EUIPO?

In June 2020, the EUIPO will enter a new stage of its development building on the achievements of the Office’s first two strategic plans. The overall objective of the future strategic plan 2025 is to ensure that the Office delivers added value and growth by making IP protection more relevant, accessible and enforceable for legitimate businesses, especially SMEs.

In order to support companies in Europe and the global marketplace, the following drivers were identified:

1. An interconnected, effective and reliable IP System within the EU’s internal market and in the global environment.
2. Customer centric IP Services in order to take full advantage of new technologies to further improve quality, consistency and predictability.
3. Dynamic organisational skillsets and effective support to operations enabling EUIPO staff to ‘work smarter’.

As an essential part of preparing the plan, the EUIPO would like to hear from you. Your input, views, ideas and experience will not only help shape SP2025, but also contribute to the implementation of effective European Union policies.

Be sure to add this opportunity to your schedule to get first-hand information from the Executive Director of the EUIPO and share your ideas

In-House Practitioners Workshop and Luncheon: Demonstrating the Value of Your Brand Team

(Limited to in-house practitioners only; advance registration required)

Don’t miss your chance to register for this exclusive event, designed for in-house professionals of all levels. Although it is universally accepted by many companies that their brand is the heart of their business and one of the company’s most important assets, it does not generally follow that the brand’s legal team is given a budget or resources commensurate with the brand’s value. Consequently, the constant struggle of building a budget, justifying headcount, and enabling your team to grow and change as business needs evolve may sometimes appear to be an insurmountable obstacle for many in-house teams.

This workshop presents an important opportunity for in-house practitioners to share their perspectives and experiences and to bring home concrete tips and tools to help them demonstrate their value and to help them transform their team with innovative solutions to common problems.

Early-Bird Fee (before March 8): US $150
Standard Fee (after March 8): US $200

Registration includes admission to the workshop sessions and luncheon (not sold separately). Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite.

Already registered for the Annual Meeting? To add events, sessions, and guests to your registration, log into the Registrant Portal and click Add Sessions/Events on the top menu, and then click Add Guest/Session on the right menu.

Exhibition Hall

Visit the 120+ exhibitors displaying their products and services. Exhibitors include trademark solution providers, law firms, media companies, IP offices, trade associations, and government offices.

CSU01 Anticounterfeiting in China

China is at the epicenter of the fight against the production and distribution of counterfeit goods. China dominates global manufacturing, and in the past several years, e-commerce has grown exponentially in China and throughout the world. Goods are increasingly shipped in smaller parcels; factories and distributors keep lower inventory on hand; and counterfeiters continue to evolve and find new ways to defraud consumers and evade enforcement actions. At the same time, China also leads the world in the number of anticounterfeiting enforcement actions taken by authorities. To stay ahead of the counterfeiters, brands must be increasingly savvy concerning efficient and creative ways to combat counterfeit goods in China. This session will address proven strategies and emerging trends for online and offline anticounterfeiting in China, with panelists representing perspectives from brand-holders and government officials. Some topics the panel will explore include:

• Innovative strategies for partnering with customs, law enforcement, and administrative agencies
• Tackling counterfeit stores and services
• “Parasite” brands in China and strategies for combating these counterfeit variant infringers
• Online enforcement, including social media vs. marketplace enforcement strategies, building criminal cases in cooperation with online marketplaces, and the impact of the new E-Commerce Law

Moderator:
Erika Yawger, Apple Inc. (United States)

Speakers:
Daniel McKinnon, New Balance Athletics, Inc. (United States)
Duncan Wilson, IP Attaché, U.S. Embassy Beijing (China)
Michael-Yu Ding, ABB Group and The Quality Brands Protection Committee (QBPC) (China)

CSU02 The Times They Are a Changin’: Maximizing the Perspectives Around Us

Providing diverse perspectives is critical to resolving complex legal issues, but many organizations struggle to successfully utilize the power of their diverse talent. This panel will focus on the unique strengths lawyers from different backgrounds bring to the table. We will look at how diversity and inclusion are tools that can be used to grow your organization and your own career, and we will discuss the challenges that our panelists have faced in implementing diversity initiatives. Attendees will learn:

• What expectations companies have of their outside firms and how firms and companies can partner together in diversity and inclusion efforts
• How diversity and inclusion efforts lead to personal advancement
• Accountability efforts and why they matter

Moderator:
Jennifer Mikulina, McDermott Will & Emery LLP (United States)

Speakers:
Brent A. Hawkins, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (United States)
Monique E. Liburd, Google (United States)
Liisa M. Thomas, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP (United States)

CSU03 Who Owns the Rainbow?  The Promise and Limits of Color Trademarks

This session will examine the particular challenges in registering and protecting color trademarks in the United States and the European Union, including:

• How does (or doesn’t) the doctrine of aesthetic functionality limit the scope of color trademarks?
• What are some color trademarks that have recently prevailed or not prevailed, and why?
• What scope of injunction can be obtained when a color mark is successfully enforced?

Moderator: 
Simon J. Frankel, Covington & Burling LLP (United States)

Speakers: 
Caldwell A. Camero, Fluke Corporation (United States)
Charles H. Hooker III, Kilpatrick Townsend (United States)
Roland Mallinson, Taylor Wessing (United Kingdom)

SS03 Madrid System Users Meeting (MSUM) Organized by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Are you interested in a convenient and cost-effective way to manage your trademarks worldwide? Don’t miss the opportunity to hear WIPO officials and experienced users explaining how to modify, renew or expand your global trademark portfolio through one centralized system.

You will also be able to engage with representatives from selected IP Offices of the Madrid System.

An interactive question and answer session will conclude the meeting.

Judges Workshop

(Exclusive to IP Judges)

In this workshop, IP Judges from several different jurisdictions worldwide will participate in an open and interactive discussion on hot topics in trademarks and recent noteworthy decisions. This workshop is exclusively for IP Judges.

Trademark Administrators Brunch: How Technology Is Changing Our Practice

(Advance registration required)

Join us at the Trademark Administrators Brunch as speakers discuss how changes in technology—trademark searching, brand protection, docketing, the Internet, social media, messaging, and smart devices—have impacted the way brand owners and IP professionals manage and protect global brands. As technology has helped trademark administrators in their practice, it has also led to new challenges. Hear from our experienced panel as they share useful insights. Offering a perfect mix of learning, good food, and great company, this event is also a perfect opportunity to network with other trademark professionals from around the world.

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 
Moderator:
Joseph Quinn, INCOPRO Ltd. (United States)

Speakers:
Simon Baggs, INCOPRO Ltd (United Kingdom)
Grace Linker, Greenberg Traurig, LLP (United States)
Tina Powers, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (United States)

CSU20 Brand Meaning and Valuation in the Age of Millennial Consumerism

An interactive panel comprised of experienced brand advisors will engage the audience with a discussion about the causal connection between trademarks and brand value. The panel will discuss timely and important issues for brands, namely: how brands can remain relevant among the thousands of daily messages being pushed to their target audience; the importance of brand personalization and consistency; the impact on brand fame, ownership, and genericide with the rise of social media; mitigating risks to brand value; and the increasingly important role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in building and maintaining a relevant brand reputation and value, and its use in engaging with millennial and Generation Z consumers.

Moderator:
Marc Lieberstein, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (United States)

Speakers: 
Andrea Gerosa, ThinkYoung AISBL (Switzerland)
Carol Gstalder, HEART+MIND STRATEGIES, LLC (United States)
Collette Parris, S’well (United States)
David Haas, Stout Risius Ross (United States)

CSU21 Combating Counterfeits and Piracy on the Internet Highway and in Digital Media

Intermediate Level

The emergence of online counterfeiting and piracy cannot be taken lightly anymore. The negative impact of counterfeiting and piracy is harmful to a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Businesses, consumers, and governments all face the brunt of this online menace which poses a threat to many industries, including technology, software and pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and manufacturing. Jurisprudence in this regard is relatively new and there is a need to strike a balance between the rights of brand owners and intermediaries alike while simultaneously addressing multiple jurisdictional hurdles which severely impede effective brand enforcement. This session will examine these challenges, and in this backdrop, will cull out the best practices and reforms required to succeed against online counterfeiting and piracy.

Questions this panel will address include:

• What is the objective and purpose behind statutory immunity conferred on intermediaries and whether they are fulfilled by “online market portals”?
• What is the test to determine and distinguish “neutral role” providing immunity vis-à-vis “active role” hastening liability, played by intermediaries?
• How should a John Doe order against online pirates and rogue Web portals be enforced?
• How should multiple jurisdictional challenges in enforcement against pirated products be overcome?
• What are the best practices and reforms recommended to succeed against online piracy?

Moderator: 
Hemant Singh, Inttl Advocare (India)

Speakers: 
Stephen Jadie Coates, Amazon.com, Inc. (United States)
Annabelle Daniel Varda, Google (United States)
Jeni Zuercher, YETI (United States)

CSU22 The U.S. Copyright Office Speaks: Hot Topics for Practitioners

Join top officials from the U.S. Copyright Office to hear about current issues and developments in law and examination practices. Topics will include a discussion of various copyright issues.

Moderator:
Noel Cook, Hanson Bridgett LLP (United States)
Speakers:
Catherine Zaller Rowland, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education (United States)
Regan Smith, General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights (United States)

Luncheon Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

CSU50 Professor vs. Practitioner Debate: “Fan or Felon” or, More Accurately, “Fan or Infringer?”

The professor vs. practitioner debate is intended to bring passion and intellectual rigor (not to mention a fair bit of good humor) to the Annual Meeting. Each year, in a rumble between all-stars, a renowned professor battles a prominent practitioner regarding an important issue in trademark law.

This year’s debate topic concerns use of brand indicia by fans or fan clubs in their visual storytelling creations shared with others (fan fiction). Come join the debate!

Moderator:
Megan Carpenter, University of New Hampshire School of Law, Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property (United States)

Professor:
Elizabeth Rosenblatt, U.C. Davis School of Law (United States)

Practitioner:
Lori Meddings, Quarles & Brady LLP (United States)

CSU51 Overview of and Recent Worldwide Developments in Unfair Competition Law

As a close sibling to trademarks, the law of unfair competition in its many forms provides a broader avenue for challenging deceptive business practices that harm competitors or consumers. This panel, a mix of academics, in-house counsel, and outside counsel, will discuss the similarities and differences in the way unfair competition is defined in various jurisdictions, and how those differences impact the claims and remedies available.

Specifically, the panel will discuss:

• The overlap between unfair competition and trademark claims, and the extent to which they can be asserted cumulatively or successively
• New cutting edge cases and developments in the law
• An in-house perspective regarding when and how to enforce unfair competition claims

Moderators:

CSU52 Global Data Protection – Beyond GDPR: Developments and Best Practices for Trademark Practitioners Dealing with Non-European Privacy Laws?

In a panel complementing CT21 on GDPR and domain names, the panel will provide global updates and impacts including:

• Primer on privacy law regimes in Canada and the US (Federal and State, including the New York Cyber Security Regulations and California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018)
• New and developing law in Brazil, India, and Japan
• Global privacy law impacts on trademark rights enforcement, including online marketplaces, social media platforms, and ccTLD domain name registries (neither governed by ICANN nor its EPDP)
• Best practices for counseling marketing departments and business partners on privacy matters, including privacy implications of trademark enforcement

Moderator:
Brian King, MarkMonitor, USA

Speakers: 
Flip J.C. Petillion, PETILLION (Belgium)
Diane Plaut, Corsearch (United States)
Smita Rajmohan, Cooley LLP (United States)
Laetitia d’Hanens, Gusmao & Labrunie Intellectual Property (Brazil)

CSU53 Best Practice Sharing on International Enforcement Strategies

Law enforcement agencies worldwide are tasked with enforcing brand protection and securing brand trust for consumers. This requires a strong domestic enforcement system as well as effective international cooperation and information sharing among officers. Panelists will share best practices in criminal enforcement and how the public and private sectors can work together to ensure IP rights protection.
Speakers will explore the following topics:

• How are enforcement bodies dealing with IP rights enforcement currently?
• What are the current challenges and what strategies have led to successful operations?
• What areas of international cooperation can still be improved?
• What can the private sector do to enforce its rights as trade increases globally?

Moderator:
Stanislas Barro, Novartis International AG (Switzerland)

Speakers: 
Monica Dopico, Spanish National Police (Spain)
Liam Gimon, INTERPOL, Illicit Goods and Global Health Programme (Singapore)
Steven J. Shapiro, Federal Bureau of Investigation (United States)

SS04 TM5 Users’ Meeting

TM5 will conduct an open session with all users. TM5 is a multilateral cooperation forum of the five largest trademark offices in the world, comprising the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

CSU54 Ethics in the Practice of Trademark Law

This session will center around a discussion of various ethical issues faced by trademark practitioners. Issues to be addressed include handing conflicts (both legal and business), confidentiality, reciprocity, and the use of private investigators.

Moderator:
Philip Furgang, Furgang & Adwar, LLP (United States)

Speakers:
Darryl Cohen, Cohen, Cooper, Estep & Allen, LLC (United States)
Rory J. Radding, Locke Lord LLP (United States)
Nick Redfearn, Rouse (Indonesia)

CSU55 The Future of IP Law Firms in the Digital Age

Technology is disrupting many industries and the digital age is starting to dramatically change how IP law is being practiced.

Three trends seem particularly relevant: (1) steadily increasing computing power and bandwidth; (2) more interconnectivity, particularly social media, and an ease of use in communicating this way; and (3) more freelancing, particularly by millennials, leveraging their specialization to create their own work-life balance.

Balancing traditional law firm models, both IP specialist boutiques and big firm generalists have been the traditional model to consider; however, as technology evolves so does the opportunity to deliver services in new ways. In this new world, many lawyers may abandon the classic internal/external networks for a more flexible and robust relationship structure. An emergence of a global sharing-economy marketplace for IP services is not unlikely.

Speakers will discuss ways to remain in a dynamic, fast changing business landscape. This session will consider different possible futures for the IP industry—the pros and cons of each—and will attempt to answer the question as to what the future holds for the IP specialist.

Moderator:
Pete Pollard, Fireball Patents (The Netherlands)

Speakers:
Zeev Fisher, Pekama Ltd (United Kingdom)
Clifford D. Hyra, Symbus Law Group, LLC (United States)

CSU56 Shades of Gray: Current Issues in Parallel Importation Law—A Global Perspective

In this session, panelists will explain national, international, or regional exhaustion of trademark rights and why brand owners should care. Speakers will equip brand owners with the latest jurisdictional trends on parallel imports, and will explore such questions as:

• Where might you be able to prevent imports on grounds of material differences?
• How should brand owners deal with package tampering?
• How is online commerce impacting the discussion on parallel imports?

Moderator:  
Micol Cecchi, Nissan North America, Inc. (United States)

Speakers: 
Luis Fernando Bermejo, Bermejo & Bermejo (Guatemala)
Holger Gauss, Grunecker (Germany)
John Paul Oleksiuk, Cooley LLP (United States)
Chris Round, K&L Gates (Australia)

CSU57 How to Fit the AI in TM: Keeping Up With the Joneses and the Jetsons

There was a time span of 65 years between the first man in flight and the first man on the moon. In the last six years, the legal technology space has exploded, from the early days of the implementation of basic machine learning to the more mainstream application of artificial intelligence (AI) today. The rate of innovation in today’s technology-driven world is exponential and unavoidable.

The number of legal technology companies employing AI increased by more than 65 percent in 2018 alone, and only a handful of these cater to the trademarks and brands industry. As the volume of new tools and technology available on the market continues to increase, what does all of this tech and AI talk mean for trademark professionals?

Short answer: AI will impact more than the day-to-day work of trademark and branding professionals.

Topics the panel will explore include:

• What is AI? How is it defined and how does it look in the world?
• How does/will AI impact day-to-day legal practice?
• What type of legal tools are out there for the advancement of employing AI?
• What’s the promise of this new technology?
• What is the changing landscape for marketing and selling goods and services, and how are marketing clients grappling with new ways brands will be presented to consumers?
• Will AI replace trademark professionals?
• How will our industry and its value to business change with AI?
• What are new best practices in an AI-driven world?

Moderator: 
Tiffany Valeriano, Corsearch (Germany)

Speakers: 
Nicole Arbiv, LawGeex (Israel)
Ulrich Hildebrandt, SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwaelte (Germany)
Makalika Naholowaa, Microsoft Corporation (United States)
Michael Edward Williams, Brandsymbol (United States)

CSU23 Gen Z Insights: Brands and Counterfeit Products

Generation Z is set to be the largest demographic of consumers by 2020 and is thus an important demographic for companies to understand. INTA’s new study, “Gen Z Insights: Brands and Counterfeit Products,” investigates Generation Z’s relationship with brands, their engagement with counterfeit products, and their attitudes towards purchasing such goods. This session will discuss the findings of the study, its implications for brand owners, and what else companies should expect from this dynamic generation of consumers.

Moderator:
Scott Phillips, Epsilon Economics (United States)

Speakers:
Andrea Gerosa, ThinkYoung AISBL (Switzerland)
Jacqueline Mai, Insight Strategy Group (United States)
Matthew Kuykendall, Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (United States)
Kirsten Recknagel, Motivequest (United States)

Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address

Hear from INTA’s CEO and 2019 President as they share their vision for the Association in 2019 and discuss INTA’s impact on the IP industry. The 2019 Annual Meeting co-chairs will also introduce you to this year’s program and welcome the Keynote speaker.

INTA CEO’s Address
Etienne Sanz de Acedo, International Trademark Association (United States)

2019 INTA President’s Address
David Lossignol, Novartis Pharma AG (Switzerland)

2019 Annual Meeting Project Team Co-Chairs
Ronald van Tuijl, JT International S.A. (Switzerland)
Cynthia Johnson Walden, Fish & Richardson P.C. (United States)

Keynote Speaker:
Michael Haddad

Michael Haddad is a professional athlete, holder of three world records, motivational speaker, environmental advocate and social entrepreneur. At the age of six, Michael was subject to a spinal cord injury from a Jet Ski accident, which left him paralyzed from the chest down, or in other words, 75% of his body is completely paralyzed. Against all odds, and despite the medical impossibility to walk again; Michael managed to overturn the physical incompetency outset into a message of strength through his belief of “turning disability into a distinctive ability” and “changing inefficiency to high performance.”

Among his many accomplishments, he has also been assigned by the United Nations as UNDP climate change champion in 2016 and works tirelessly to spread information about sustainability, environmental preservation, and reforestation. Mr. Haddad will share his passion for life with registrants and motivate you to overcome your challenges while making the world a better place now and in the future.

Welcome Reception

Welcome to Boston! Join us at this great networking opportunity at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) as we welcome all registrants to the 141st Annual Meeting and celebrate Boston as our host city.

Registration and Hospitality

Breakfast Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Continental Breakfast

Continental breakfast will be served daily until 10:00 am in the Hospitality Area on the Exhibit Hall Level, Hall A.

Committee Meetings

Exhibition Hall

Visit the 120+ exhibitors displaying their products and services. Exhibitors include trademark solution providers, law firms, media companies, IP offices, trade associations, and government offices.

CM01 The Cost of Combating Counterfeits: How to Maximize Your Return on a Limited Budget

Anticounterfeiting can be frustrating work for many in-house and outside counsel. Even if it were possible to devote unlimited resources on the problem, it is unlikely to eliminate fakes in the market. The reality is that there are budgetary constraints on our response. This panel of in-house counsel will discuss strategies for getting the most out of their anticounterfeiting spending, including:

• Prioritization of spending by country/region and type of expenditure.
• Contingent fee actions.
• Cost-effective management of customs recordation, training, and seizures.
• Cost-effective management of online monitoring and enforcement.
• Cost-effective management of investigations.
• Collaboration with other brands, trade organizations, and government agencies.

Moderator:
Michelle Brownlee, Bose Corporation (United States)

Speakers:   
Paola Piccoli, Maus Frères (France)
Angela Lynnette Wilson, Hallmark Cards, Incorporated (United States)
Jennifer Dirks, Epson America, Inc. (United States)

CM02👍 or 👎: Understanding Consumer and Brand Owner Reactions to “Fan Works”

Fans of characters and stories in books, films, and TV shows have long explored and enjoyed their fandom through creative writing, artistic expression, and interaction with other fans. With the benefit of digital media tools and social networks, creation and sharing of “fan works” has gone from notebook doodles and playacting to widely accessible and sometimes viral fanfiction, cosplay, memes, videos, anime, fan art, and other consumer-generated works. The range and distribution of fan works has grown spectacularly in recent years—increasing consumer engagement and loyalty, and testing the bounds and bonds of the brand-consumer relationship.

Panelists will leverage their diverse expertise and perspectives on illustration, marketing/communications, and legal academics, as they share their insights on the risks and rewards of fan works, including:

• Identifying and explaining the nature and roots of fan works.
• Exploring the different reactions of fans and brand owners.
• Weighing the advantageous and disadvantageous impact on the brand-consumer relationship.

Moderator:
Susan Montgomery, Northeastern University School of Law (United States)

Speakers:
Nicholas Jainschigg, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (United States)
Henry Jenkins, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California (United States)
Lisa Ramsey, University of San Diego School of Law (United States)

RM01 Regional Update: Online Advertising—Hot Topics in Latin America

Join us for an interactive discussion on the practical aspects of online advertising, one of the most important, creative, and challenging forms to advertise your products and services. Speakers will share their insight on what they think lawyers need to know about digital advertising, covering topics from data protection to the impacts of digital advertising while answering the following questions:

• When considering advertising made  by digital influencers, including regulated products, such as tobacco and alcohol, what kind of consequences are there and what are the measures and precautions that trademark owners have to take into account, including advertising to minors?
• How do local authorities/agencies treat advertising by digital influencers and what are the rules and recommendations made by such agencies?
• What can companies do when advertising is—and is not—authorized?
• When trademark owners want to contract a digital influencer, what kind of measures, precautions, and agreements do they need to follow?
• How does data protection impact advertisers?
• What are other forms of online advertising and how do authorities and courts interpret them?

Moderator:
Tatiana Campello, Demarest Advogados (Brazil)

Speakers:
Rodrigo Velasco-Alessandri, Alessandri (Chile)
Gustavo Giay, Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal (Argentina)
Alejandro Gonzalez Rossi, Gonzalez Rossi & Asociados S.C. (Mexico)

IM01 Industry Breakout: How Connected Goods Are Transforming Our IP Assets Management

Explore the new challenges IP lawyers face with regard to the development of connected goods across different industry sectors. Speakers will share their thoughts on the emerging risks they have to consider when dealing with this topic and the transformation they have to drive within their organization to address those concerns.

Moderator:
Catherine Brel, Renault (France)

Speakers:
Saida Haouchine, Renault (France)
Patrick Hauss, CSC Digital Brand Services (United States)
Alexandre Nappey, SCAN AVOCATS (France)
Emmanuelle Ragon, SANOFI (France)

CM20 Lost in Translation: Managing Risk and Right-Sizing Protection in a Multilingual World

Intermediate Level

Every trademark owner with ambitions of building an international business has to determine how to navigate a multilingual world. This panel of experts will help attendees identify the challenges and share best practices for clearing, protecting, and using trademarks across the language barrier. Topics will include:

• Laws mandating use of local languages and managing compliance
• The benefits, costs, and risks associated with registering local language variants of trademarks
• Trademark laws and associated compliance risks
• Management of trademark/brand risk when marketing globally

Moderator:
Sanjiv D. Sarwate, Dell Inc. (United States)

Speakers:  
Rasha Al Ardah, Al Tamimi & Company (United Arab Emirates)
Susan Frohling, Brinks Gilson & Lione (United States)
Troy Rice, SIPS – Simone Intellectual Property Services Asia Ltd. (Hong Kong SAR, China)

CM21 The Big Promise of Big Data: Perspectives on Possibilities and Risks, Today and Tomorrow

Intermediate Level

Big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning are without a doubt part of our world and are starting to impact the legal world. Our industry is right on the cusp of transformation, and big data is starting to impact legal processes. The promise of what data can do when empowered by AI is also being raised. The panel will discuss the impact of big data on trademarks—from clearance and prosecution strategy, to policing, enforcement, and litigation. We will also discuss the way big data enables clients to assess the success metrics of outside counsel and for firms to review and assess their own internal processes.

The panel, covering the view of outside counsel, corporate clients, and service providers, will discuss:

• What do we mean by big data?
• How can big data help you?
  • EUTM Community tools that use big data across the lifecycle
  • Ways you could be sitting on big data, but not yet using it
• Impact on trademarks, including brand clearance and selection, prosecution, and enforcement
• What can you learn from big data?
• What could be some of the risks?

Moderator:
Jayne Durden, CPA Global (United States)

Speakers: 
Benoit Fallenius, Markify (Finland)
Ricardo Fisher, Arent Fox LLP (United States)
Michael Kelly, Amazon.com, Inc. (United States)
Thomas Messerer, Moeller IP Advisors (Argentina)

CM22 Fair Trade in IP Relations

According to the World Fair Trade Organization,

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers—especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

Fair Trade is more than “just trade”—it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. Fair Trade highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first. It is a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and economic crisis.

Many companies have developed fair trade policies for their suppliers, including legal advisors. But (how) are fair trade policies applied to IP advisors and service providers? What are the rights holders’ expectations towards IP advisors and service providers? Are there geographic differences, and can the same principles be applied to all? Are IP advisors and service suppliers asked to provide specific information on fair trade in pitches or RFPs  (request for proposals) and is there some kind of benchmarking? How is compliance with the fair trade policies through IP advisors and service providers ensured and monitored? Will fair trade IP be the new norm? Speakers will discuss these issues and more.

Moderator:
Eva-Maria Strobel, Baker & McKenzie Zurich (Switzerland)

Speakers: 
Elena Galletti, Brandstock Services AG (Germany)
Mina Jovanovic, ZMP Zivko Mijatovic and Partners (Serbia)
Rachna Bakhru, RNA, IP Attorneys (India)
Yihong Ying, Starbucks Coffee Company (United States)
Albert Tsui, Dentons (China)

IM21 Industry Breakout: Second-Hand Goods: How to Adapt IP Rights Enforcement to This Booming Market

Speakers will discuss some questions unique to the expansion of second-hand markets, including:

• What measures have been implemented to prevent the sale of counterfeits by e-commerce platforms offering second-hand products? What challenges are they facing with regard to the authentication process?
• What actions have been taken by rights owners in the second-hand market to protect their IP rights in this market? What kind of challenges do they face in enforcing their IP rights and efficiently fighting counterfeiting?
• What are some suggestions and innovative solutions to adapting IP rights enforcement to this alternative consumer’s lifestyle in order to ensure a safe second-hand environment to consumers and encourage smart purchasing decisions?

Moderator:
Laurent François Dubois, UNIFAB Tokyo and TMI Associates (Japan)

Speakers:
Sandro Chiesura, eBay Group Services GmbH (Germany)
Emmanuelle Hoffman, HOFFMAN (France)
Hiroshi Anekawa, Association Against Counterfeit Product Distribution (AACD) (Japan)

CM40 Adjunct Professor Panel: Trademarks in Law School Curriculum

How does your law school teach about trademarks and train the next generation of trademark attorneys? This panel will examine how different schools emphasize trademarks in different ways. Some schools have dedicated IP clinics with trademarks as an offered service. Some schools regularly participate in the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, but many notable institutions do not. Some have dedicated trademark classes, while others integrate trademark law into a broader survey of IP. Come learn from our panel of experienced educators and join in a discussion of what strategies might work to achieve law school goals for trademark fluency in new attorneys.

Moderator:
Rita Kline, Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino LLP (United States)

Speakers:
Ann Bartow, University of New Hampshire School of Law, Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property (United States)
Olaf Gillert, Taylor Wessing (Germany)
Carrie Hedayati, The Law Office of Carrie Hedayati (United States)
J. Christopher Lynch, Lee & Hayes, PLLC (United States)

Luncheon Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Luncheon Committee Meetings

Lunch and Learn: The 10Ks of Personal Branding

Ever wonder when you leave a room what people say about you? For many of us, there’s a gap between how we think we’re perceived and how others actually see us. At a time when many of us are soul searching and experiencing unprecedented change, having an identifiable brand greatly impacts how the world views us. People who make themselves positively memorable are the ones who are most often hired, promoted, valued and positioned for opportunity. As you look to keep your job, grow your career, gain new clients, get more from your existing clients and elevate your performance—what are you doing to make yourself positively memorable? How can you polish your style to make an impression that reflects the real you and positions you for career success?

Hailed as electrifying and thought provoking, this session, based on Kaplan Mobray’s best-selling book, The 10Ks of Personal Branding offers case studies and exercises that will help you identify your strengths and passions and create a brand for yourself that is positive and unique and positions you to excel in your career.

Mr. Mobray will guide registrants through the following:

• Create an identifiable brand that conveys who you are, how you want to be remembered and how you stand out from the crowd.
• Define your goals and create a focused plan to achieve a personal or career objective.
• Learn career enhancing skills that you can implement immediately such as establishing recall, effective networking methods and leaving a lasting positive impression.
• Master the art of creating opportunities for your brand to further enhance your career success.
• Enhance your leadership capabilities.
• Develop techniques to position yourself and your skills when being considered for opportunities and advancement.

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and tickets for admission to this event will only be sold onsite if there is availability. 

Past Presidents and Past Counsel Luncheon

(By invitation only)

Professor Luncheon 

(Exclusive to full-time professors)

Join us to continue the tradition of Academic Luncheon speakers providing their insights on the in-house point of view and the impact of law and legal developments on brand owners and their in-house counsel. A team from Dunkin’ Brands will give us an insider’s view of the rebranding and the transition from “Dunkin’ Donuts” to “Dunkin’ as they discuss the details during a fireside chat. The team will also share their experiences with establishing relationships with other brands and the evolution of the company’s licensing program.

Speakers:
Chuck Kantner, Director, Retail Business Development, Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (United States)
Drayton Martin, Vice President –Brand Stewardship, Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (United States)
Alana Sharenow, Director-Legal Counsel, Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (United States)

CM41 Conversations with USPTO Leadership

Join top USPTO officials for a discussion of all of the latest news from the USPTO.  The first half of the session will include discussion about mandatory electronic filing, the current state of trademark filings, upcoming rulemakings, recent cases and other issues. The second half will be a discussion on the latest international developments in Trademarks, GIs and Counterfeiting featuring USPTO’s IP Attachés.

USPTO Leadership:
Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Mary Boney Denison, Commissioner for Trademarks
Chief Judge Gerard Rogers, Chief Administrative Trademark Judge
Shira Perlmutter, Chief Policy Officer and Director of International Affairs

Moderator:
Dominic Keating, United States Patent and Trademark Office (united States)

IP Attachés:
Laura Hammel,  United States Patent and Trademark Office (IP attaché for Argentina, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela)
Komal Kalha, United States Patent and Trademark Office (IP specialist for South Asia)
Pete Mehravari, United States Patent and Trademark Office (IP attaché for the Middle East and North Africa)
Duncan Wilson, United States Patent and Trademark Office (IP attaché for China)
Susan Willson U.S. Mission to the European Union (Belgium)

CM42 A TM5 Workshop: Global Developments and Research on Bad Faith Trademark Filings

Learn more about bad faith filing, warehousing and strategies being implemented worldwide to address these issues at this joint TM5-INTA Workshop. Presentations will be made by officials from TM5* and other IP Offices, INTA and other trademark user associations. The names of speakers will be announced shortly.

*TM5 is a forum through which the National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC (CNIPA), European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) exchange information and undertake cooperative projects with the aim to support global business activities through trademark protection.

Moderator:
Cynthia Henderson, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (United States)

Speakers:
Marie-Laure Bonnaffous, FENDI SRL (Italy)
Ivo Gagliuffi Piercechi, INDECOPI (Peru)
Sergio Chuez Salazar, INDECOPI (Peru)
Juan Lozano, Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) (Mexico)
Sunao Sato, Japan Patent Office (Japan)
Joseph Simone, SIPS (Shanghai) Ltd (China and Hong Kong)
Takuya Tokuwaka, Japan IP Association  (Japan)
Mary Beth Walker, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (United States)
Cristina Bercial-Chaumier, CASALONGA (Spain), ECTA Council Member, Chair of ECTA Law Committee
Dimitris Botis, European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)  (Spain)
Song Kijoong, Korean Intellectual Property Office (South Korea)
Cheng Meng, China National Intellectual Property Administration (China)

CM50 Interplay Between Designs, Copyright, and Trade Dress—Overlapping or Coexisting?

Intermediate Level

As the world of IP becomes more global, IP owners need to be aware of the different types of protection available and how they can supplement their IP protection strategy. As certain types of trademarks are becoming increasingly difficult to secure, it is important for IP owners to know what other rights and remedies are available and how they can enhance their IP protection.

Panelists will attempt to provide a somewhat global approach to the interplay between these various rights and rather than being bogged down on the legal requirements, provide some overviews on practical application. The panel will explore the following aspects relating to the interplay:

• Understanding the available rights and remedies—the differing requirements and types of protection afforded by design patents, copyright, trade dress, trademarks, and designs
• The advantages and disadvantages of each type of protection
• Choosing the best form, or combination of forms, of IP protection to ensure the appropriate and most comprehensive protection for the product while not doubling up on costs unnecessarily—the benefits of a multi-faceted and flexible approach
• Strategy going forward

Moderator:
Simon Brown, Adams & Adams (South Africa)

Speakers:
Imogen Fowler, Hogan Lovells (Spain)
Diego Palacio, Palacio & Asociados (Argentina)
Ray Zhao, Unitalen Attorneys At Law (China)

CM51 Practical Tips for Adversarial Matters Before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

Inter partes practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is similar to litigation in the federal courts, but the two also differ in significant ways. Accelerated case resolution, the participation of interlocutory attorneys, and the tenor of proceedings will be discussed. In this session, experienced litigators and an interlocutory attorney from the TTAB will share their experiences and advice on:

• Differences between TTAB practice and federal litigation practice
• Strategic decision-making on choice of venue
• Traps, mistakes, and misunderstandings about TTAB practice
• The role of interlocutory attorneys in TTAB proceedings

Moderator:
Pamela Chestek, Chestek Legal (United States)

Speakers:
Judge Elizabeth Dunn, United States Patent and Trademark Office (United States)
G. Roxanne Elings, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP (United States)
Kathleen McCarthy, King & Spalding LLP (United States)
Helen Hill Minsker, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. (United States)

CM52 Brexit: The Implications for Trademarks in the United Kingdom and the European Union

The departure of the UK from the EU should take place in March 2019. We will have a much clearer view of the likely outcomes, though a transitional period has already been agreed to last until the end of 2020, and things may change further after that. This session will look at the implications of the agreements reached and further likely changes.

Practitioners will offer practical advice on the following:

• What is the current status of the deal between the UK and the EU as regards trademarks?
• What changes might we expect when the transition period ends?
• What are the implications for existing rights?
• What changes should businesses be looking to make to their filing strategies in Europe?
• What are the implications for representation in the EU trademark institutions?

Moderator:
Gordon David Harris, Gowling WLG (United Kingdom)
Florence Verhoestraete, NautaDutilh (Belgium)

Speakers: 
Taryn Byrne, Page White & Farrer (United Kingdom)
Nadine Jacobson, Fross Zelnick (United States)
Clara Pombo Morales, Clarke, Modet & Co (Spain)

RM50 Regional Update: Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand

Speakers will discuss the many tactics for protecting your brand in the developing ASEAN Region and Australasia, including:

• New laws and changes to existing laws in the region, including new trademark law in Myanmar
• Madrid Protocol—effective tool for the region?
• Recent developments to consider in your enforcement strategy for the region

Moderator:
Catherine Su Yee Lee, Rodyk IP (Singapore)

Speakers:
Joy Atacador, Dentons Australia Pty Ltd (Australia)
Andrew Flagg Brin Diamond, Januar Jahja & Partners (Indonesia)
Darani Vachanavuttivong, Tilleke & Gibbins (Thailand)
Pauline Khor, Rahmat Lim & Partners (Malaysia)

In-House Practitioners Idea Exchange 
(Exclusive to in-house practitioners; advanced registration required)

In-house practitioners have the ability to participate in moderated discussions with their corporate colleagues to share ideas and benchmark. Onsite registration will not be available.

In-House Practitioners Reception

(Exclusive to in-house practitioners)

Join fellow in-house practitioners and corporate trademark professionals for cocktails and light refreshments during this exclusive networking opportunity at the BCEC.

India Reception

This reception provides registrants from India with an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences concerning the benefits and challenges of doing business in India. This reception provides an opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO, India Representative, and other INTA staff.

Africa Reception

This reception provides registrants from Africa with an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences concerning the benefits and challenges of doing business in the region. This reception provides an opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO and other INTA staff.

Asia-Pacific Reception

Network with colleagues and share experiences of doing business in Asia. This is the must-attend reception for those in the INTA community who want to be plugged into our extensive Asia network and presents the opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO and the Chief Representative of the Asia-Pacific office.

President’s Dessert Reception

(By invitation only)

Registration and Hospitality

Breakfast Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Offsite Volunteer Service Day – Greater Boston Food Bank 
(Advance registration required)

The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 61.8 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat. They are committed to increasing their food distribution to provide at least one meal a day to every person in need in Eastern Massachusetts while supporting healthy lives and healthy communities. The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.

Register to give a helping hand sorting and packing food items while networking with likeminded colleagues. Your contribution helps them to distribute more fresh, healthy produce to 1 in 11 people in need across Eastern Massachusetts.

Registration is US $40 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. Please wear comfortable clothing for this event. Refreshments are included. Fee is nonrefundable.

Continental Breakfast

Continental breakfast will be served daily until 10:00 am in the Hospitality Area on the Exhibit Hall Level, Hall A.

Committee Meetings

IP Office Workshop: Working Toward the 21st Century IP Office

(Exclusive to IP Office Representatives)

IP office officials are invited to join the annual, all-day workshop developed by IP office representatives exclusively for IP offices around the world. The workshop is coordinated by the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Intellectual Property Protection (INDECOPI Peru) and the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property. The workshop will feature an open session to all Annual Meeting registrants and then several closed-door sessions for IP office registrants. This full day of programming is an excellent opportunity for registrants from your office to benchmark with other offices, network, and learn. A detailed schedule will be posted soon.

Exhibition Hall

Visit the 120+ exhibitors displaying their products and services. Exhibitors include trademark solution providers, law firms, media companies, IP offices, trade associations, and government offices.

Trademark Scholarship Symposium

The Symposium offers academics and practitioners from around the world the chance to participate in small group discussions of scholarly works in progress in the field. Exact topics to be presented to be confirmed soon.

CT01 Annual Review of Leading Case Law in the European Union

Plan to attend this popular INTA event and hear Trademark Reporter authors Tom Scourfield, Jordi Güell, and Martin Viefhues deliver a concise analysis of recent key decisions that have shaped European trademark law. And be sure to check out the Annual Review of EU Trademark Law: 2018 in Review, published in The Trademark Reporter, Vol. 109, No. 2, March–April 2019.

Speakers:
Jordi Güell, GUELL IP (Spain)
Tom Scourfield, CMS (United Kingdom)
Martin Viefhues, JONAS Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH (Germany)

CT02 Reality Check: Adapting Brand Strategies for AR and VR

No longer just the stuff of science fiction dreams, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are here to stay. More companies than ever are using AR and VR to stand out, create buzz, and inject wonder into consumer-brand interactions. Before investing in a trendy app or immersive virtual experience, however, trademark owners must understand and anticipate how AR and VR may fundamentally change the way their brands are perceived and protected, and adapt brand strategies accordingly. This panel will address:

• Why some traditional trademark uses may be ineffective in AR and VR environments.
• How AR and VR technologies result in new forms of trademark infringement, dilution, and parody.
• Why interactivity may not always be a good thing.
• The significant differences between AR and VR as branding tools.

Moderator:
Deborah Davis, Electronic Arts Inc. (United States)
Kimberly Culp, Carr McClellan (United States)
Matt Stratton, Snap Inc. (United States)

CT03 Brand Protection and the Intersection of Trademarks, Advertising, and Corporate Social Responsibility

Protecting the value of your corporate brand is a critical mission. As companies are increasingly asked to make disclosures regarding their efforts to address social, environmental, and health risks, these disclosures create both opportunities and challenges for those entrusted with protecting a company’s intangible assets. In this session, speakers will explore:

• The corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures most likely to impact your brand
• Specific risks facing companies when they make certain environmental, social, and health claims
• How to avoid litigation and regulatory pitfalls when marketing a company’s efforts to “go green” or develop socially conscious policies
• Issues companies need to consider in the context of trademarks that communicate CSR attributes about a company and its products and services

Moderator:
Natasha Reed, Foley Hoag LLP (United States)

Speakers:  
Mary Carragher, Mondelēz International (United States)
Lesley Fair, Federal Trade Commission (United States)
Lena C. Saltos, Urban Outfitters, Inc. (United States)
Gare Smith, Foley Hoag LLP (United States)

IT01 Industry Breakout: Blockchain Explained: How Can Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology Benefit Brand Owners?

Most will have heard the buzzword “blockchain,” but many still feel that they do not understand what the technology is or its relevance to brand owners. In this session, we will aim to provide a simple explanation of blockchain and distributed ledger technology and explain their relevance to IP lawyers and brand-led companies. The session will cover:

• What is blockchain?
• Potential applications in brand-led businesses and IP, for example:
  • Supply chain shipment tracking
  • Brand messaging
  • Anticounterfeiting
  • Smart IP rights
• Views from the IP community and levels of adoption
• Challenges for the technology—will it live up to the hype?

Moderator:
Jim Holloway, Baker & McKenzie LLP (Canada)

Speakers:
Yoav Keren, BrandShield (Israel)
Paul Maier, European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) (Spain)
Vaughn McKenzie, Jaak (United Kingdom)

Trademark Scholarship Symposium  

The Symposium offers academics and practitioners from around the world the chance to participate in small group discussions of scholarly works in progress in the field. Exact topics to be presented to be confirmed soon.

CT20 The Experience Around Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin for Champagne, Darjeeling Tea, and Colombian Coffee

In a continually growing market, goods require that special something to make them different and better. Some regions are blessed by unique characteristics that allow their population to create exceptional goods. This session highlights the importance of geographical indications (GIs) and appellations of origin as tools for protecting the uniqueness a product can gather.

Topics the panel will explore include:

• Interaction of GIs with appellations of origin
• Experience behind GI registration and its complexity to interact with appellations of origin
• Socialization among users (local producers) of a sign after it became a GI
• Strategy to enforce a right once a GI was protected

Moderators:
Enrique A. Diaz, Goodrich, Riquelme & Asociados (Mexico)
Fernando Triana, Triana, Uribe & Michelsen Ltda (Colombia)

Speakers:
Latha R. Nair, K & S Partners (India)
Luís Fernando Samper, 4.0 Brands SAS (Colombia)
Maxime Toubart, Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (France)

CT21 A Year of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Access to WHOIS Data: Impact and Outlook for Brand Enforcement

When the EU General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) came into force on May 25, 2018, ICANN implemented a temporary policy which resulted in a majority of global registrant data being hidden from public view in the WHOIS directory. This temporary policy cannot extend beyond one year, and is intended to be replaced by a policy agreed through an Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP). Panelists will review relevant recent developments having an impact on IP owners’ access to WHOIS data, discuss enforcement impact and solutions, future challenges, and strategy. Specific areas of focus will include:

• What was the outcome of the EPDP, and what lies ahead for access to WHOIS data?
• How can IP owners get access to non-public WHOIS data?
• What impact has the lack of WHOIS data had on the prevalence and persistence of IP-related domain name abuse or other illegal activity?
• How have brand owners addressed the challenges of a lack of public access to domain registrant data in their enforcement strategies and practices, and what are some solutions or alternatives to the challenges of losing access to domain registrant data?
• How are IP owners and other stakeholders who require access to WHOIS data addressing concerns arising from lack of access to WHOIS data, both inside and outside of ICANN?

Moderator:
Bradley Silver, WarnerMedia (United States)

Speakers: 
Alex Deacon, Cole Valley Consulting (United States)
Statton Hammock, Markmonitor (United States)
Margaret Lia Milam, Facebook, Inc. (United States)
David Taylor, Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP (France)

CT22 Surveys in the Brave New World: Designing and Using Survey Evidence in the Age of Online Shopping, Influencers, and Hashtags

Intermediate Level

Surveys have long been used in trademark and IP litigation as evidence of consumer perceptions, but the world in which consumers experience and are exposed to brands and marks has changed. This session will take a deeper dive into:

• How can surveys be designed to more accurately reflect how consumers shop (including how to test marks that appear in social media, apps, and on Amazon)?
• What should we do about testing perceptions of other types of brand exposure (social media, influencer, or third-party use of brand)? And what are some ways we see social media being used to demonstrate confusion or as evidence in false advertising claims?
• How can we use surveys in new ways to establish or quantify harm before litigation ensues? What benchmarks can be used over time to potentially show dilution or increased strength in a mark? What about survey pilots?
• Finally, how do we find survey takers? What are the advantages and pitfalls of surveying respondents on their mobile phones?

Moderator:
Sarah Butler, NERA Economic Consulting (United States)

Speakers:
Laura L. Chapman, Sheppard Mullins (United States)
Sheryl Koval Garko, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP (United States)
Hal Poret, Hal Poret LLC (United States)
Daniel H. Shulman, Reynolds Group Holdings (United States)

RT20 Regional Update: Middle East, India, and Pakistan: A Legal Perspective on Opportunities and Challenges in the Online Environment 

More than 4 billion of the world’s population are online, and more than 3 billion of those are active users of social media. Some of the markets with the highest Internet penetration, and with the greatest year-on-year increases in social media activity, are among the jurisdictions of the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. As the path to consumers becomes increasingly digitized, brand owners are charting unfamiliar terrain in the search for growth, often reaching out directly to consumers in markets that were once considered too remote. This session will look at the legal framework surrounding the unique opportunities to reach consumers and the challenges in maintaining control and protection of brands in the online environment in the Middle East, India, and Pakistan.

Topics will include:

• An exposition on how existing laws, often from the pre‒social media era, are being interpreted to try to regulate the online sphere
• Recent laws dealing with issues of online activity
• A preview of some of the further regulation on the horizon

Moderator:
Chad Dowle, Rouse & Co. International LLP (United Arab Emirates)

Speakers:
Jamal Abu Ghaida, AraMarks Intellectual Property (Qatar)
Julie Ismail, Khursheed Khan & Associates (Pakistan)
Jon Parker, Gowling WLG (United Arab Emirates)
Tanya Varma, Fidus Law Chambers (India)

Lunch and Learn: Business Development Skills for Lawyers

An introduction to the basics of lawyer business development, including understanding your niche and value proposition, developing a ‘verbal business card’, developing an effective network, managing your pipeline, using LinkedIn and social media, conducting a business development meeting with a prospect, the consultative sales process and writing an effective business development plan.

Join Mark Beese, President of Leadership for Lawyers, LLC, a consultancy focused on helping lawyers become better leaders and business developers. He provides training, coaching and consultation to firms in the areas of leadership development, business development and marketing with law firms across North America. His clients range from small, single office firms to global Amlaw 100 firms. He focuses his work on helping firms adapt to the “new normal” by equipping firm and practice group managers with leadership skills, tools and direction.

Luncheon Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Luncheon Committee Meetings

Trademark Scholarship Symposium III

The Symposium offers academics and practitioners from around the world the chance to participate in small group discussions of scholarly works in progress in the field. Exact topics to be presented to be confirmed soon.

CT50 Ethics and Best Practices for Trademark Investigations Around the World

This panel discussion will address, compare, and contrast regulations, best practices, practical tips, and ethical considerations for trademark and anticounterfeiting‒related investigations in various regions of the world.

Moderator: 
Jason Vogel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP (United States)

Speakers:
Leslie Flores, Arochi & Lindner (Mexico)
Nicolás Schmitz, Grunecker (Germany)
Angela Shi, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. (China)
Tony Yarborough, Robert Jackson & Associates, Inc. (United States)

CT51 Patent Portfolios’ Challenges in International Trade

Patent practitioners linked to the management and prosecution of international patent portfolios must face several daily challenges, such as those related to political aspects associated with the tradeoff between access to new technologies and the promotion of innovation, especially in the pharma industry, as well as with those related to the lack of standardization of patent regulations around the world. On the other hand, new regulations arising from international agreements and transnational cooperation are generating opportunities to make the work more efficient.

In this panel, composed of leading in-house professionals and outside counsels who deal with the management of international patent cases on a day-to-day basis, we will analyze some of the burning issues that they face in their work around the world.

Topics the panel will explore include:

• The increasing trend of compulsory licenses in the world
• The harmonization of data protection and linkage regulations
• The availability of patent extension terms in different jurisdictions

Moderator:
Rodrigo Marre, Mackenna, Irarrazaval, Cuchacovich & Paz (Chile)

Speakers:
Manisha Desai, UCB Biopharma SPRL (Belgium)
Alejandro Luna, OLIVARES Y COMPAÑÍA, S.C. (OLIVARES) (Mexico)
John Osha, Osha Liang LLP and AIPPI (United States)
Catherine Fitch, Merck IP Group (United States)

CT52 Advances in E-Commerce and Advertising: How Platforms Address Cyberfraud

Speakers will discuss key online marketplace and advertising platforms and the mechanisms in place, both proactively and reactively, that address the sale of counterfeit goods, phishing, and other scams. Attention will be given to recent legal and regulatory decisions relating to online marketing and e-commerce, and the current legal framework for intermediary liability with respect to these particular issues (focusing on select regions).

Moderator:
Gavin Charlston, Google (United States)

Speakers:
Jeremy Blum, Bristows (United Kingdom)
Shwetasree Majumder, Fidus Law Chambers (India)
Charles Wright, Amazon.com, Inc. (United States)

IT50 Industry Breakout: IP “Care Programs:” When For-Profit and Non-Profit Organizations Join Forces

Performing charitable work is often a wish many of us have; however, finding the time to carry it out can be a problem in today’s busy world. Learn from leading brand owners, vendors, and other brand protection experts how it is possible to carry out effective IP work while, at the same time, helping others who are less fortunate.

Topics the panel will explore include:

• As a brand, how can I help others and ensure that my gesture is not seen as a “publicity stunt”?
• Big law firms have a certain amount of work that has to be done on a pro-bono basis, but is it always the case and are there priorities?
• As an IP rights enforcement agency, how can you mix work and still help the less fortunate?

Speakers: 
Jessica Murray, Toms Shoes Inc. (United States)
Peter Dernbach, Winkler Partners (Taiwan)
Jessica Murray, Toms Shoes Inc. (United States)
Santiago Peralta, PACARI CHOCOLATE (Ecuador)

CT53 Update on Trademark Law in China

This session is open to all trademark IP practitioners worldwide. The China Trademark Association (CTA) will have experts share updates on trademark law in China, including raising the upper limit of legal compensation, defeating bad-faith registrations, and thoughts and key points on the revision of the China Trademark Law. Established in 1994, the CTA is a national-level organization founded by some well-known domestic enterprises upon approval by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The purpose of the CTA is to develop trademark strategy and promote national brands.

Patent Professional Networking Reception

Are you a patent professional or spend any time working with patents in your regular workload? Join us for a cocktail and an opportunity to mingle with other registrants with similar patent interests and backgrounds.

Middle East Reception

This reception provides registrants from the Middle East with an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences concerning the benefits and challenges of doing business in the region. This reception provides an opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO and other INTA staff.

Latin America Reception

This reception provides registrants from Latin America with an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences concerning the benefits and challenges of doing business in the region. This reception provides an opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO and other INTA staff.

China Reception

This reception provides registrants from China with an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences concerning the benefits and challenges of doing business in the region. This reception provides an opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO and other INTA staff from the China Office and New York Headquarters.

Legal Resources Contributor Reception

Government Officials Reception

(By invitation only) 

Join INTA’s leadership and government officials from around the world for a reception thanking these officials for their dedication and support of the trademark community. This reception provides an opportunity for officials to share information and best practices with their colleagues in the trademark community.

INTA Political Action Committee (PAC) Reception 

(Open only to non-corporate INTA members who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents)   

Show your support for the International Trademark Association Political Action Committee (PAC) by attending this reception. A contribution for this event will be used to support the campaigns of U.S. federal candidates identified by the INTA PAC Board as having shared interests with the trademark community. INTA accepts both personal checks and those drafted from non-corporate INTA member firm accounts, as well as all major credit cards. Donations can also be made online before the reception.

Only non-corporate, non-reimbursed contributions to INTA PAC will be accepted. Contributions to INTA PAC are not deductible for income tax purposes.

Registration and Hospitality

Please note that the Hospitality Area closes at 2:00 pm, please plan your schedule accordingly.

Breakfast Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Continental Breakfast

Continental breakfast will be served daily until 10:00 am in the Hospitality Area on the Exhibit Hall Level, Hall A.

Committee Meetings

Exhibition Hall

Visit the 100+ exhibitors displaying their products and services. Exhibitors include trademark solution providers, law firms, media companies, IP offices, trade associations, and government offices.

CW01 Annual Review of U.S. Federal Case Law and TTAB Developments

Advanced Level

Plan to attend this INTA annual favorite and hear Trademark Reporter authors Ted Davis and John Welch deliver a concise analysis of major decisions rendered by the U.S. courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) over the past twelve months. And be sure to check out the United States Annual Review: The Seventy-First Year of Administration of the Lanham Act of 1946, published in The Trademark Reporter, Vol. 109, No. 1, January–February 2019.

Speakers: 
Theodore H. Davis Jr., Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (United States)
John L. Welch, Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. (United States)

CW02 Abolishing Graphical Requirement: Impact and Practical Examples of This New (Non) Requirement Before EUIPO and EU National Offices

All trademark practitioners know how difficult it is to obtain trademark protection for nontraditional trademarks. One of the challenges to overcome has been the graphical representation of these trademarks. Does the abolition of the graphical requirement in Europe mean that it will be easier to register nontraditional trademarks? What will happen to prior marks not fitting the new categories and how will conflicts between old and new types of marks be decided?

Collaborating with ECTA, this session has been designed to give an overview of the changes related to abolition of the requirement of the graphical representation for EUTMs. With the European trademark system intrinsically linked to other IP protections systems, this change triggers several questions about its implementation and impact on related trademark practices, including the national European trademark offices and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The panel will explore the following topics:

• Legal changes to EUTMR/EUTMD: no graphical representation required any longer
• Article 3 EUTMIR on trademark types and Article 10 EUTMDR on proof of use
• EUIPO Common Communication and Guidelines (Part B, Section 4, Chapter 2)
• Challenges with respect to implementation and practical examples
• The future of past registrations in other categories for these new types of marks: What will happen to them?
• Interaction with national offices: national practice and cooperation projects

Moderator:
Myrtha Hurtado Rivas, Novartis International AG (Switzerland), Chair of ECTA WIPO-Link Committee

Speakers: 
Cristina Bercial-Chaumier, CASALONGA (Spain), ECTA Council Member, Chair of ECTA Law Committee
F. Peter Mueller, Mueller Schupfner & Partner (Germany), ECTA Past President
Andreas Renck, Hogan Lovells (Alicante) S.L. & Cía. S.C. (Spain), ECTA Member, Past Chair of ECTA EUIPO-Link Committee

RW01 Regional Update: Protecting Technology in Africa

Africa is a hot destination for technology. It has the fastest growth in Internet penetration in the world. Since 2017, Internet users have grown by over 20 percent and by 2020, Africa’s FinTech market is set to grow from US $200 million currently to US $3 billion. This session aims to provide information and guidance for trademark practitioners and technology-based clients in Africa. It explores the brand protection and enforcement issues to consider in Africa, with a specific focus on the FinTech industry. Africa is a large continent with many variables, so the final part of the session will look at how to assist technology-based clients with their IP protection strategy in Africa.

The panel will explore:

• Overview of technology in Africa. Leading technologies and up and coming technology, with a specific focus on FinTech in East Africa (focusing on Kenya and the larger East African economies) and protecting and enforcing FinTech in East Africa
• FinTech in West Africa (focusing on Nigeria, Ghana, and the larger West African economies) and protecting and enforcing Fintech in West Africa
• How to assist technology-based clients with their IP protection strategy in Africa

Moderator:
Simonne Christina Moodie, Von Seidels (South Africa)

Speakers:
Lorna Gathigia Mbatia, CFL Advocates (Kenya)
Okey Onyekanma, Okey IP (Nigeria)
Nancy Samuriwo, Samuriwo Attorneys (Zimbabwe)

CW20 Mastering the Protection of GUI

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) allow users of electronic devices to interact with that device using pictures rather than having to give the device commands. In the world today, we encounter GUIs on almost everything we use—mobile devices, computers, coffee makers, and bank ATMs.

This session is designed to provide tips and guidance for obtaining protection for GUIs around the world using patents, designs, trademarks, and copyrights.

Moderator:
Mary K. Scott, Fish & Richardson P.C. (United States)

Speakers:   
David Donahue, Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu P.C. (United States)
Marion Heathcote, Davies Collison Cave (Australia)
Robert M. Stutz, Beutler Kunzi Stutz AG (Switzerland)

CW21 Advertising and Branding Restrictions (Interplay of Regulatory, Right of Publicity, and TM Issues)

There are currently around 61 major sporting events that will take place in various countries around the world in 2019, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, the Asian Games in the Philippines, African Games in Zambia, and the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Every country is subject to local advertising and branding laws and regulations. This session will look at the challenges of dealing with local restrictions and the interplay of regulatory, right of publicity, and trademark issues from the perspectives of the organizer, the legal representative, and the sponsor.

Speakers will offer practical advice and insight on the following:

• What are the main challenges for brand owners with local advertising and branding laws and regulations in a specific country?
• What are the implications of noncompliance?
• What legal and cultural aspects should be considered in a particular country or region? What are the practical tips on dealing with these?
• What preparations can brand owners make when organizing an event?
• What is right of publicity and what are the common obstacles faced by brand owners?
• What are the common trademark issues faced by brand owners when organizing an event?

Moderator:
Sau Lin Wan, Bird & Bird (United Arab Emirates)

Speakers:
Paola Gelato, Studio Legale Jacobacci & Associati (Italy)
Denise Yee, Visa International Service Association (United States)
Daniel Zohny, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) (Switzerland)

RW20 Regional Update: China–How Do Brand Owners Balance the Benefits versus Risks of Joining Social Media and E-commerce?

As we step into the new era of technology we are seeing that people more often receive their information from new media, where many-to-many communication is made possible. As a result, brand traders start joining social media and e-commerce in order to expand their customer base. Consumers can make purchases with ease without geographical or time constraints. Nonetheless, while the Internet opens up to a wide world of business opportunities, we must not forget about the drawbacks of using this sometimes uncontrollable tool. In this session, speakers are going to share their views regarding the opportunities and threats that these new forms of commerce bring to entrepreneurs. Speakers will also comment on the local legal frameworks for protecting and limiting online trading.

Moderator: 
Rosita Li, Mayer Brown (Hong Kong SAR)

Speakers:
Christine Chen, Winkler Partners (Taiwan)
Hitomi Iwase, Nishimura & Asahi (Japan)
Benjamin Morris, PI IP LAW (LEE, PARK & MORRIS) (South Korea)

Luncheon Table Topics

Table Topics are a great networking opportunity to discuss topics of interest over lunch or breakfast with a small group of like-minded professionals. Come prepared to join in on the conversation and share your thoughts!

Registration is US $60 and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for admission to this event will not be sold onsite. 

Grand Finale: A Night of Experiences

Join us for a night of fun and your last chance to network at the Museum of Science, Boston. Shuttles will go from hotels to the venue and back all night. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided.