The contacts we make and the people we meet are “comparable to none,” said Bauer of the INTA Annual Meeting yesterday morning. “We attend the Annual Meeting to capitalize on the networking opportunities this event has to offer.”
First thanking the Project team and INTA staff for planning and coordinating the event, Bauer praised INTA’s efforts in reaching out to trademark communities worldwide.
Several recent achievements include strengthening the bond with India’s trademark office through the first government relations program as well as working with the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property in addressing negative IP sentiments in Europe.
“Yet our work is not finished,” said Bauer. In particular, he identified three priority issues: anti-counterfeiting, the European trademark system, and the proposed introduction of unlimited new gTLDs to the Internet. “We must not lose sight of the fact that without trademark protection, the relationship that brands built with their customers would be in peril,” said Bauer.
Also speaking at the Opening Ceremonies, Drewsen said that nearly 9,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Annual Meeting, from 136 countries. INTA’s membership has increased in the past year to 5,800 member companies from 190 countries, including 350 students and 100 professors.
