INTA’s Europe Office Marks 20 Years of Engagement in Brussels

On October 13, 2026, INTA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of its Europe Representative Office in Brussels, Belgium, marking two decades of engagement with European institutions, intellectual property (IP) offices, policymakers, and stakeholders across the region.

Opened in 2006, the Europe Office was INTA’s second regional office, following the opening of the China Office. Since then, it has served as an important bridge between INTA’s global membership and the European IP community, helping bring the perspectives of brand owners and IP professionals into regional policy discussions.

During the same period, Europe’s IP landscape has changed significantly. The expansion of the European Union, the development of the EU Trade Mark and design systems, revisions to copyright and geographical indication frameworks, the growth of e-commerce, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), and increased attention to sustainability and innovation have created new opportunities and challenges for brand owners and the wider IP community.

Two Decades of Policy Engagement

Over the past 20 years, INTA has developed a strong network of relationships across Europe, engaging regularly with the European Commission, the European Parliament, IP attachés of the Permanent Representations of EU Member States, and other EU bodies, including the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and Europol. The Association has also cooperated with national and regional IP offices, as well as IP associations throughout the region. INTA’s advocacy in the region has included more than 350 submissions on IP policy and legislation, as well as amicus briefs before European and national courts. It has also convened more than 160 policy dialogues and high-level meetings on issues affecting the IP community.

Leadership delegations have been another important part of INTA’s regional engagement. Over the years, INTA has led more than 60 leadership delegations, including regular visits to Brussels, Geneva, Türkiye, and other jurisdictions. Through these delegations, INTA has engaged with stakeholders in more than 50 jurisdictions and brought the perspectives of its global membership into European and international policy discussions.

Bringing the IP Community Together

For 20 years, INTA’s Europe Office has helped bring the IP community together. From INTA Annual Meetings and Trademark Administrators and Practitioners (TMAP) Meetings to regional seminars for paralegals, Europe conferences, IP and finance workshops, policy dialogues, educational roundtables, receptions, and other events, INTA has created opportunities for the IP community across Europe to meet, learn, and exchange ideas.

Over the years, these events have taken place in cities across Europe, including:

• INTA Annual Meetings: Amsterdam (2003), Berlin (2008), Barcelona (2017), and London (2026).
• Trademark Administrators and Practitioners (TMAP) Meetings: Alicante (2015) and Berlin (2019, 2025).
• Europe Conferences: Brussels (2016), Berlin (2017), London (2018), Paris (2019), and Madrid (2020).
• Regional Seminars for Paralegals: Held regularly across the region.
• IP and Finance Workshops: London (2024), Ljubljana, Paris, Warsaw, Madrid, and Frankfurt (2026).

These activities have covered a wide range of IP topics, bringing together practitioners, businesses, IP offices, policymakers, academics, associations, and other stakeholders. They have also extended beyond Europe through engagement with neighboring regions and the wider international IP community.

Indeed, the Europe Office continues its mission of bringing the IP community together and has just announced a two-day event: AI & IP: Protecting Brands and Powering Innovation in the Digital Economy, in Brussels, Belgium, from February 1 to 2, 2027.

European Membership Remains Strong

Today, INTA’s European membership includes approximately 1,956 member organizations, representing around 30 percent of INTA’s global membership, of which more than 300 are Corporate Members. This membership base spans a broad range of industries, jurisdictions, and professional backgrounds, underscoring the importance of IP to Europe’s economy and innovation ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As INTA looks beyond its 20th anniversary, it will continue to contribute to discussions on the future of IP in Europe. This includes ongoing engagement on issues such as innovation and competitiveness, the role of IP in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), digital regulation and online brand protection, IP and finance, IP and AI, sustainability, and enforcement against counterfeiting, as well as other emerging issues affecting 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 Representative Officer for Europe Anna Ostanina.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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