10:00 am–11:00 am
Opening Ceremonies

Meet the 2023 Annual Meeting Live+ Co-Chairs Karina Dimidjian-Lecomte, Casalonga (France) and Zaheera Hashim, Procter & Gamble (Singapore). Gain insight into how brands and brand professionals can play an effective role in addressing climate change from keynote speaker Venkatesh Kini, Ubuntoo (USA) in a fireside chat with INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. Take a peak into the future with keynote speaker Danny Marti, Tencent (USA) and hear from INTA President Jomarie Fredericks, Rotary International (USA) on how having a sense of belonging—including to organizations such as INTA—comes with privileges and opportunities to do good.

11:20 am–12:20 pm
Can a Trademark Professional Use ChatGPT Legally and Ethically?
NEW LIVE SESSION | CLE PENDING

ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) and AI-driven technologies have become instantly popular in a wide variety of fields, including in the legal profession, since being launched publicly several months ago. The use of such technologies raises a wide variety of legal and ethical considerations and potential for legal professionals, including trademark professionals. Those considerations and concerns include copyright infringement, privacy violations, unintended bias, and transparency. Please join our esteemed panel of speakers, who will be discussing and debating these considerations and concerns.

Moderator
Patrick Gallagher, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP (USA)

Speaker
Stephen Lee, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, Target (USA)
Matt Hervey, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Gowling WLG (UK)
Peter Van Dyck, Partner, Allen & Overy (Belgium)
Susan Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Santa Clara University (USA)

12:45 pm–1:45 pm
Speed Networking
LIVE | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

2:00 pm–3:00 pm
Exploring the Complexities of NFTs and IP Rights – NFT INTA White Paper and Beyond
NEW LIVE SESSION | CLE PENDING

NFTs have been a hot topic in the past few years. The recently published INTA NFT white paper discusses how NFTs impact trademark rights and explores the possibilities and implications for new business opportunities for brand owners. This session will feature the results of the research completed by a group of experts from various countries and discuss issues such as registration classification, new contract provisions governing rights, and enforcement effects caused by the rise of NFTs. The subject has evolved around the world and some topics have been tackled by the court in different countries. This session will also help you to update your knowledge and thoughts concerning NFTs.

Moderator
Richard Milchior, Partner, Herald (France)

Speakers
Flavia Mansur Murad, Senior Partner, Mansur Murad (Brazil)
Susan Stearns, Director, Legal Counsel – Trademark and Brand Enforcement, Paypal (USA)

3:20 pm–4:30 pm
How to Foster Creativity and Innovation When Leading a Team
SIMULIVE SESSION | LIVE Q&A

To optimize success, leaders must not only exploit existing capabilities but must encourage creativity and innovation in order to explore new ideas and forms of value creation. Join us as our speakers share tips, insights, and the leadership skills required to effectively build and maintain a collaborative, creative and innovative team needed to foster and deliver the agile thinking and techniques that spark new ideas and development. Topics covered include:

• How to build a collaborative, learning environment with varied and effective platforms for communication;
• How to encourage experimentation, and in particular, visibly reward experimentation for the benefit of the team;
• Best practices for maintaining a diverse, creative, and innovative environment over time, especially with a remote workplace.

Moderator
Melissa LaBauve, Partner, Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP (USA)

4:50 pm–6:00 pm
The Trademark Modernization Act Unplugged: What U.S. Lawyers and Brand Owners Should Know About Actions Under the Trademark Modernization Act
SIMULIVE SESSION | LIVE Q&A

The Trademark Modernization Act is the United States’ newest statute to help brand owners remove unused registrations from the Trademark Register. Join the Commissioner for Trademarks at the USPTO and experienced US counsel to learn a) what to do and not to do when handling TMA actions; and b) strategies to keep in mind when considering or defending an action under the TMA.

If you are new to the TMA and want to learn the basics, we encourage you to watch this pre-recorded webinar in advance.

Moderator
Scott Woldow, Partner, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (USA)

Speakers
Britt Anderson, Partner, Perkins Coie LLP (USA)
Catherine M.C. Farrelly, Partner, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC (USA)
Amy Cotton, Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy, USPTO (USA)

10:00 am–11:00 am
Bankruptcy, Insolvency & IP
NEW LIVE SESSION | CLE PENDING

Understanding bankruptcy/insolvency is crucial for the IP professionals in today’s global economic scenario. Bankruptcy and insolvency have steadily gained prominence as an independent law practice, and it is important that the IP professionals understand the interaction between these legal practices. Panelists will discuss what bankruptcy/insolvency are, and as a first step understand when and who can initiate proceedings and what happens once these are initiated. The session will also look at the importance of internal diligence, regular interaction with the finance & corporate law team members, valuating the IPs within the organization, and ensuring that the IPs are always ring-fenced. If and once the bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings begin and the resolution professionals or administrators are appointed, what role does the IP professional play? The discussion will help IP professionals in becoming aware that their role will most likely undergo a significant change in such a scenario, and for acting preemptively given the possibility of a global recession.

Moderator
Meera Chature Sankhari, Co-Founding Partner, Jupiter Law Partners (India)

Speakers
Brian Daniel, Vice President, Charles River Associates, Inc. (USA)
Chee Chong Lau, Investment Manager & Legal Counsel, Omni Bridgeway (Singapore)
Stanislav Lechzier, Attorney, Grünecker (Germany)

11:20 am–12:20 pm
Harmonize Your Trade Secret Strategy to Build and Strengthen Brands
NEW LIVE SESSION | CLE PENDING

Trade secret protection has gained visibility as a viable and important tool for developing, building, and strengthening brand images. A trade secret strategy, if consistent with a brand image, can help a brand owner protect, develop, and grow its brand strength. Join us for an engaging discussion about incorporating trade secret protection as part of branding efforts.

Moderator
Jayde Wood, Associate, Gowling WLG (Canada)

Speakers
Sukla Chandra, Sr. Managing Director GE Licensing, General Electric (India)
Alan Kravetz, CEO, Full Sail IP (USA)
Viji Malkani, Sr. Legal Manager IPR, Brand Protection, & Legal Counsel F&R, Unilever (India)
Justin Rerko, IP Transformation Leader, KPMG (USA)

12:45 pm–1:45 pm
Speed Networking
LIVE | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

2:00 pm–3:00 pm
Marketers are from Mars and IP Professionals are from Pluto: How to Bring the Two Closer Together
NEW LIVE SESSION

Speaker
Andy Stalman, Co-Founder & CEO, TOTEM Branding (Spain)

3:20 pm–4:20 pm
Future Proofing Your Business in the Digital World
SIMULIVE SESSION | LIVE Q&A | CLE PENDING

Today, we all use technology in our daily work and are constantly looking for better and more efficient ways to conduct our law practice. This session will discuss some of the steps law firms and legal teams have taken to embrace digital transformation and enhance the client experience and service delivery. This isn’t only about implementing technology to help organize the work. Instead, it is about transforming the business of law.

Moderator
Orietta Blanco Minino, Managing Partner, Minino (Dominican Republic)

Speakers
Kevin Hartley, CEO, Trust Tree Legal (USA)
Kathryn Szymczyk, Global Business Development Senior Manager, IP Gowling WLG (Canada)
Lewis Whiting, Co-founder/CEO, iaido (UK)

4:50 pm–6:00 pm
Influencer Marketing: Balancing Regulation, Brand Protection, and Endorser Goals
SIMULIVE SESSION | LIVE Q&A | CLE PENDING

Not a day seems to go by without a news story about influencers and brand marketing. Influencer marketing presents challenges for both brands and their influencers, from partnering with nano and micro-influencers with active engagement among their small following to celebrity endorsements and partnerships. Such challenges may include updated guidelines by regulators and industry associations for brands and influencers regarding testimonials, endorsements, and the disclosure of material connections between them and the scope of influencer agreements. This panel will provide trademark practitioners with best practices for hiring influencers and balancing brand protection strategies with the goals of influencers.

Moderator
Rachel Hofstatter, Partner, Honigman LLP (USA)

Speakers
Sugouri Batra, Director of IP and Marketing, Palavan & Moore, PLLC (USA)
Eric De Gryse, Partner, Simont Braun (Belgium)
Pei Lin Low, Partner, Allen & Gledhill LLP (Singapore)

10:00 am–11:00 am
IP in Post-Brexit Environment
NEW LIVE SESSION | CLE PENDING

Three years on from Brexit, what is the IP landscape in the UK? Join us for a review of new IP rights, case law following the transition period, and the practical input on protection IP in the UK. A panel of expert speakers will share a comprehensive legal update and practical experiences of IP in the UK after Brexit.

Moderator
Jessica LeGros, Partner, Baker & McKenzie (UK)

Speakers
Nathan Abraham, Deputy Director, Tribunal, Intellectual Property Office UK (UK)
Thomas Hannah, Assistant General Counsel, Haleon (UK)

11:20 am–12:20 pm
Brands and Outer Space: What Can Brands Do Today to Forestall Infringement of their IPRs in Future
NEW LIVE SESSION | CLE PENDING

Outer Space is crowded today: the pioneers of Space travel; the Russian Federation and the United States- ventured into space in the late 1950s and 1960s during the famous “Space Race”. China, the European Space Agency (ESA), India, Israel, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and others have joined as well. We are also seeing growth in private sector flights into space/outer space (used interchangeably), through companies such as Virgin Galactic, SpaceX and Blue Origin. These companies are famous brands working in collaboration with intergovernmental efforts, such as the International Space Station (ISS), governments and corporations from Earth, will continue to explore the outer space and it is generally understood that such exploration should benefit all humankind similar to the principle of the common heritage of mankind under the law of the sea. However, one cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening now in outer space. At this critical threshold of expansion of commercial activity away from the Earth’s surface, the need to address the legal regulation (creation of IP rights, protection, jurisdiction and enforcement) in Outer Space is increasing with every launch.

Moderator
Uche Nwokocha, Partner, Aluko & Oyebode (Nigeria)

Speakers
Clark Lackert, Deputy General Counsel, World Trade Centers Association (USA)
Sheja Ehtesham, Managing Partner, ALG India Law Offices LLP (India)
Yahaya Isah Akor, Legal Adviser, National Space Research and Development Agency (Nigeria)

12:45 pm–1:45 pm
Speed Networking
LIVE | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

2:00 pm–3:00 pm
Fireside Chat with the DEI Council Co-Chairs
NEW LIVE SESSION

Join Marion Heathcote and Stephanie Grenald, INTA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council Co-Chairs, for a fireside chat with Elisabeth Bradley, INTA Vice President, discussing the Association’s newly formed DEI Council. This session will include a brief introduction to the DEI Council, a discussion on the importance and significance of the Council and a high-level summary of what’s to come—including an overview of potential projects.

Moderator:
Elisabeth Bradley, Vice President, Innovation Law: Trademarks, Copyrights, and Brand Protection, Bristol-Myers Squibb (USA)

Speakers
Stephanie Grenald, Principal Legal Counsel, Amazon (USA)
Marion Heathcote, Principal, Davies Collison Cave (Australia)

3:20 pm–4:30 pm
Online Reviews: A Boon or Bane for Business in the Digital Age?
SIMULIVE SESSION | LIVE Q&A

Product reviews have been around forever, but new players, technologies and online business models mean it’s anything but business as usual. More and more consumers seek out online reviews, ratings and comparisons before making a purchase, so the appeal for brands to incentivize reviews and direct marketing dollars towards affiliated ranking/review sites and influencers is obvious. Yet there are traps for the unwary, as regulators across the globe have made it a priority to address the problem of “fake” reviews and similar deceptive practices that ultimately harm consumers. This session will discuss how to effectively harness the power of legitimate online reviews and rankings while avoiding pitfalls that can cause major problems — including deceptive “pay-to-play” reviewers, insufficient disclosure of incentives or material connections, and improper filtering out of negative consumer reviews. This session will also discuss what steps a brand can take when a competitor is improperly leveraging comparative reviews or rankings.

Moderator
Jami Gekas, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP (USA)

Speaker
Laura Brett, Vice President, National Advertising Division, BBB National Programs (USA)

4:50 pm–6:00 pm
Closing Ceremony

Capsule Keynote Panel: Precursor to the Metaverse? Best Practices for In-Game Trademark Licensing

Today, video games are played by over three billion people across the globe; this is more than a third of the world’s population. Video games have become more interactive, with vast improvements in technology making the experience of gamers more immersive. As video games continue to capture the imagination of a growing share of consumers worldwide, brands are increasingly looking to these games as an engaging and innovative platform to maximize the value of their IP and reach a wider audience. Against this backdrop, topics discussed in this panel will include:

• Opportunities, emerging trends, and best practices for the licensing of trademarks in popular digital platforms like video games
• Lessons learned and considerations of video game studios and brands in leveraging video games as a platform to promote branding and add value to intangible assets.
• Evolution of consumer marketing from static ads to interactive and immersive entertainment

Moderator
Patrick Low, Principal IP Counsel, Tencent (Singapore)

Speakers
Miley Chen, Senior Marketing Manager, PUBG MOBILE (China)
Pin-Ping Oh, Partner, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP, Singapore
Joey Zhou, Senior Business & Brand Manager, Game for Peace (China)

China Case Law Update—Know Before You Go: Green Shoots in China IP

Hardly a day goes by without a new piece of intellectual property (IP) legislation coming into effect or a high-profile case with mind-blowing damages awarded. The ever-evolving landscape of China’s IP system touches the professional lives of practitioners and brand owners in China and globally.

This session will take a bird’s-eye view of the milestone cases— ranging from prosecution to litigation and cross-cutting bad-faith filing of trademarks and imposed sanctions and injunctive relief—and will provide insider analysis of the impact on the pace and shape of trademark rights protection in China.

Moderator
Monica Su, Chief Representative Officer, INTA (China)

Speakers
Hui Huang, Partner, Management Committee Member, Wanhuida IP (China)
Christopher Shen, Senior Partner, NTD IP Attorneys (China)
Carol Wang, Principal, Rouse (China)
Helen Xia, APAC IPMT Practice Area Leader, Hogan Lovells (China)

Capsule Keynote—IP Is Everywhere: Ukraine’s Perspective on Managing IP Assets

IP is everywhere and brings businesses closer beyond physical borders. During the last decade, Ukraine has emerged as one of the leaders in global markets of food-related items and remains one of the key trading partners for Europe, the USA, and China. According to the World Bank, pre-2022, Ukraine was a growth center for agriculture, pharmacy, education, and oil and gas. And even now, after one year of the Russian invasion, it remains important for the global economy. Hear directly from representatives of National Association of Patent Attorneys of Ukraine on how businesses can continue to build an IP portfolio in Ukraine, along with comprehensive guidance on the IP landscape of Ukraine. Topics of discussion include:

• The business of innovation: An overview of the potential investment opportunities and the startup ecosystem
• The business of IP: The IP best practices adopted by Ukraine to foster an IP-centric mindset with businesses, IP enforcement, and sanctions and how to ensure adequate growth of the IP network
• International reconstruction programs in Ukraine: The role and significance of IP assets for businesses
• The current state of Ukraine: Developing and sustaining businesses

Speakers
Daria Kaplunenko, Patent Law Agency IPK, Ukraine, Managing Partner, Patent and Trademark Attorney of Ukraine (Ukraine)
Yuliya Prokhoda, Patent & Trademark Attorney, Attorney-at-Law, CEO, INTELS-Ukraine, Head of National Association of Patent Attorneys of Ukraine (Ukraine)

The Trademark Modernization Act Unplugged: What Non-U.S. Lawyers and Brand Owners Should Know About Actions Under the Trademark Modernization Act

The Trademark Modernization Act is the United States’ newest statute to help brand owners remove unused registrations from the Trademark Register. Join the Commissioner for Trademarks at the USPTO and experienced counsel from the US and Germany to learn what you and your brand owner clients should keep in mind when considering or defending an action to cancel an unused registration under the TMA. This session will focus on the strategic considerations surrounding the TMA.

Moderator
Scott Woldow, Partner, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (USA)

Speakers
Britt Anderson, Partner, Perkins Coie LLP (USA)
Catherine M.C. Farrelly, Partner, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC (USA)
David Gooder, Commissioner for Trademarks, USPTO (USA)
Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle, Partner, SCHALAST (Germany)

IP Office of the Future: How to Build an Action Plan for a 21st Century IP Office

Moderator:
Andrei Iancu, Partner, Irell & Manella LLP (USA)

Speakers
Konstantinos Georgaras, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Intellectual Property Office (Canada)
David Kappos, Partner, Cravath, Swaine & Moore (USA)
Rena Lee, Chief Executive, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Singapore)
Sune Stampe, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Danish Patent and Trademark Office (Denmark)
Adam Williams, CEO and Comptroller General, Intellectual Property Office (United Kingdom)

The Right of Publicity Around the World: The Career and Afterlife of a Musical Superstar

Explore how publicity rights are used to protect the name, voice and likeness of famous celebrities and performers – in this case, a fictional musical group and its lead singer. We will track the band’s highs and lows, from its rise to success to its breakup and the lead singer’s solo career and eventual demise, all while analyzing how the right of publicity applies in different countries. Along the way, we’ll cover issues such as merchandising, endorsements, distinctive features like body art, third-party soundalikes, and the use of AI to generate creative works in the same style.

Moderator
Andrew Avsec, Partner, Crowell & Moring (USA)

Speakers
Nicholas Hawkins, Associate, Womble Bond Dickinson (USA)
Rodrigo A. de Ouro Preto Santos, Senior Partner, Ouro Preto Advogados (Brazil)
Hongbin Zhang, Partner, LexField Law Offices (China)

Welcome to the Future: Emerging IP Issues Relating to AI and Its Impact on Brands

As our society continues to move on-line, technology is increasingly handling more and more of our day-to-day tasks both in business and as consumers. For example, artificial intelligence or “A” can generate artwork, draft advertising copy, or review, rank, and recommend products or businesses to us based on its analysis of a vast amount of personal, business, and public data. This new frontier in IT has led to many questions for brands. During this session we will look at some of these emerging issues, including:

• How AI forms “opinions” and develops outputs, what happens if they are “programmed” to favor certain brands or confuse brands, whether they even care about brands or infringement, and how their outputs may impact brands, the infringement analysis, and liability
• Whether AI may be considered “consumers,” whether their confusion matters, and how their confusion may be analyzed
• Whether AI may be considered “influencers” and whether advertising regulations apply to their outputs and recommendations
• How brands may leverage the use of AI in the marketplace, but also protect their IP and brand, minimize risk, and address AI confusion and the confusion AI may create

Moderator:
Kate McMorrow, Associate, Knobbe Marten (USA)

Speakers
Ellen Gevers, Managing Partner, Knijff (Netherlands)
Seiro Hatano, Partner, TMI Associates (Japan)
Auma Reggy, Managing Lead Counsel, McKesson Corporation (USA)
Itai Sela Saldinger, Director of IP, Playtika (Israel)

Communication Breakdown and Cultural Faux Pas: Why People from Different Countries Have Trouble Communicating with Each Other

During this educational and entertaining session, we will discuss communication styles, including verbal and non-verbal communication, that differ among certain countries from the East and the West. We will discuss stereotypes, myths, and realities, providing specific examples of communication styles from around the world that can inadvertently create offense, misunderstandings, confusion, and inefficiency.

Moderator
Philip Lapin, Partner, Smart & Biggar (Canada)

Speakers
Dan Chen, Partner, Fairsky Law Office (China)
Tomoya Kurokawa, Vice President, SOEI Patent & Law Firm (Japan)
Brenda Matanga, Head of Practice and Lead IP Counsel, Bmatanga IP Attorneys (Zimbabwe)

India Case Law Update—Insights From the Bench and the Bar

In this session, attendees will get the exclusive opportunity to hear from a panel of experts, including visionary judges and leading litigators from India, on the latest Intellectual Property (IP) trends and case laws in India. This expert panel will analyze recent and developing trends in IP procedural reforms, ADR, reliefs, and efficacy of enforcement on the Internet. This is the first time the India case law update will be presented at the INTA Annual Meeting. Join us for a riveting discussion and gain valuable insights.

Moderator
Gaurav Miglani, Managing Partner, Worldwide Intellec (India)

Speakers
Honorable Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Judge, Supreme Court of India (India)
Honorable Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court (India)
Pravin Anand, Managing Partner, Anand and Anand (India)
Hemant Singh, Founder and Managing Partner, INTTL ADVOCARE (India)

Mediating Across Cultural Differences

In a world that’s more connected than ever—with brands spanning the globe—counsel for brand owners are routinely expected to represent their clients in multiple jurisdictions with different laws, languages, and cultures. Although they can learn the law, brand counsel may nevertheless have difficulty understanding cultural norms when mediating international disputes. However, lack of understanding of cultural differences can create unspoken barriers to successful dispute resolution.

The session will include a live-role-playing mediation during which our panel will play out several scenes that would typically occur in mediation. These scenes will demonstrate some top tips on how to conduct a successful mediation by avoiding cultural faux pas. The role-playing mediation will be set in Singapore and will focus on Singapore’s singular cuisine.

Moderators
Zechariah J. H. Chan PBM, Partner, Lee & Lee (Singapore)
Kevin Hartley, Co-Founder and Trademark Attorney, Trust Tree (USA)

Speakers
Anuj Desai, Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, LLP (USA)
Leslie J. Lott, Founding Partner, Lott & Fischer (USA)
Max Ng, Managing Director, Gateway Law Corporation (Singapore)
Mary Ann Wymore, Officer, Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. (USA)

Annual Review of US Federal Case Law and TTAB Developments

Hear Trademark Reporter authors Ted Davis and John L. Welch deliver a concise analysis of key decisions rendered by U.S. courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board for the year of Lanham Act administration (approximately July 2021–June 2022) and thereafter. And be sure to check out the United States Annual Review: The Seventy-Fifth Year of Administration of the Lanham Act of 1946, published in The Trademark Reporter, Vol. 113, No. 1.

Speakers
Ted Davis, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (USA)
John L. Welch, Counsel, Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. (USA)