Delegation to Europe Addresses Sustainability and the Impact of Emerging Technologies

INTA President Dana Northcott and INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo led a delegation to Europe to meet with local members and government officials. The meetings took place from April 8 to April 12 and focused on key topics surrounding the role of the intellectual property (IP) community in promoting sustainability, and the opportunities and challenges that come with emerging technologies.

The delegation visit started off in Brussels, Belgium, with a series of meetings with several relevant Directorate Generals (DGs) of the EU Commission, in which the delegation shared INTA’s priorities and views with the lawmakers on a range of issues including the green transition, the sustainable destruction of counterfeits, the intersection of AI and copyrights, Quebec’s Bill 96, and the importance of geographical indications.

The visit continued with a policy dialogue titled, “AI and IP: How to Protect and Enforce Intellectual Property Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” hosted jointly by INTA and the Belgian Anti-Counterfeiting Association (ABAC BAAN).The event brought together brand professionals, AI-related businesses, and representatives from EU institutions and agencies to discuss the challenges and opportunities of protecting IP rights in the context of evolving legal frameworks, including the EU AI Act, and rapidly advancing technology. Participants engaged in discussions on the implications, benefits, and risks of AI for IP enforcement.

The delegation closed out its day in Brussels by attending a Pre–Annual Meeting Reception hosted by member firm Simont Braun—a first in Belgium. Mr. Sanz de Acedo took the opportunity to bolster excitement for some of the guest speakers, educational sessions, and Business Development offerings at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (USA), taking place May 18–22.

Proceeding to Copenhagen, Denmark, Ms. Northcott and Mr. Sanz de Acedo attended a dinner hosted by Johan Loje (Loje IP, Denmark) on April 9, where they met with a small group of current and prospective Danish corporate members from different industries, such as electronic consumer goods, footwear, jewelry, and toys. The delegation provided an update on INTA’s current activities and future plans, and listened to feedback from brand owner representatives about their current priorities and hot-button topics. Beyond their individual concerns, the interplay between IP and sustainability emerged as a common theme.

The delegation also met with the Danish IP Office on the Future European Council Presidency Trio Program “Poland-Denmark-Cyprus” to discuss counterfeiting, sustainability, and providing support to third countries.

Later, during an engagement hosted by the Danish IP Office, Mr. Sanz de Acedo briefed local members on several topics including what the trademark system of the future may look like; the impact of emerging technologies; how to support SMEs; and the evolving role of the IP office.

The delegation’s final stop was in Paris, France, where they discussed the main challenges of protecting IP rights at both the regional and international levels, as well as opportunities for collaboration, during a working lunch with the French Association of Trademark and Design Law Practitioners (APRAM). INTA also met with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), where they had the chance to weigh in on how INTA can support OECD’s Certification Scheme for Clean Free Trade Zones.

Finally, the delegation attended the policy dialogue, “Conversation on Digital Transformation,” hosted by Servier. The panel discussion tackled the challenges and opportunities that digitalization presents to the IP community.

INTA’s Europe Representative Office, based in Brussels, Belgium, represents the Association’s members across Europe (which includes the European Union, non-EU member states, and Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States). Working in collaboration with staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City, the Europe Representative Office leads the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives throughout the region. To learn more about INTA’s activities in Europe, please contact INTA Chief Europe Representative Officer Tat-Tienne Louembe and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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