Co-chairs Jomarie Fredericks, Deputy General Counsel, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at Rotary International, and Slobodan Petosevic, CEO of Petosevic Group, told the INTA Daily News the Annual Meeting program will have a European feel, but will also include much of the content that registrants always value, such as the annual review of U.S. case law.
“Barcelona is the star,” said Fredericks. “It’s a wonderful city and we think it will be a little bit different.” Petosevic added that the location should attract government officials and IP office representatives from EUIPO, WIPO and across Europe.
They already have some new ideas for panel sessions and workshops. “We are planning to have a session on trademark and patent rights and what happens when they collide. As trademark practitioners we need to embrace, not avoid, patents,” said Petosevic. Another session will focus on trademarks in news and publishing. “There are lots of issues around the use of trademarks in the media and the right of publicity, fair use and the First Amendment. Social media is especially important,” said Fredericks.
Most of the activities will be held at the famous Fira Convention Center, which Fredericks knows well, as Rotary International held its annual convention there in 2002 with 18,000 people attending. There will be comprehensive information available about the Barcelona Annual Meeting on INTA.org beginning in January.
