Mexico City brought together experts in intellectual property during three academic, remarkable days. Social events for all tastes in landmarks places of the Aztec City, surprised the over 850 attendees of these XVIII Work Sessions and Administrative Council of our Inter American Association of Intellectual Property.
As at every meeting, before the event the executive committee and working committees joined forces, explained progress and projected ASIPI’s future.
Excitement and celebration
The night of Sunday 30 November began with excitement and celebration at the Opening Ceremony at the Bellas Artes Palace. The gala for the 50 year anniversary recognised the associates of honour, the presidents of the past half-century and especially the founding members in the night’s most emotional moment.
The whole audience stood to recognise the achievement of: César Guerrero Villagomez, Michael O'Farrell, Peter Dirk Siemsen and Guillermo Sesma as well as those who could not make it and were architects of the association.
The president of ASIPI, Juan Vanrell, ran through the history of the association, greeted those who founded it and welcomed everyone to the event and to the City of Mexico.
The grand finale was a performance by the Ballet Folklorico of Mexico of Amalia Hernández (pictured below left) and then a cocktail in the lobby of the Palace, where people started building social bonds.
Opening Ceremony
The next day, the XVIII Work Sessions and Administrative Council began
The Opening Ceremony of the Work Sessions was attended by leading authorities: Manuel Guerra, Director General of the National Institute of Copyright representing the Secretary of Public Education Emilio Chuayffet, Miguel Angel Margain director of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, Arturo José García López Ancona, head of the Specialized Unit of Investigation against Copyright and Intellectual Property Crimes, Juan Antonio Toledo, director of the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean of WIPO, David Arellano Cuan, head of the General Unit of Legal Affairs of the Secretary of Government on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong.
The academic conferences began with the keynote speaker, Mario Molina, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for Mexico in 1995, who pioneered the study, dissemination and teaching of atmospheric chemistry.
Other panellists discussed the impact of the common market for IP rights, intellectual property as a human right (a topic that generated discussion with opposing positions) and the franchise market in Latin American economies.
This was followed by a night at the Indianilla Station, a traditional location in Mexico City, where the local law firms party took place with music from the 1980s and dancing late into the night.
Topical issues
The second day raised issues of interest to members. Featured panellists discussed the influence of TPP in the Americas, cultural expressions and protection mechanisms, how to create a successful trade mark, a question that three speakers from PepsiCo, Nestlé and Chilli Beans answered with music, humour and videos (pictured right). The topic of international trends in border measures and fair use and creative commons was discussed.
During the meeting a cooperation agreement between ASIPI and INTA was signed to promote a Latin American study on the trade mark industry and the organisation of conferences and seminars on educational projects. The agreement was signed by Mei-Ian Stark and Etienne Sanz de Acedo, president and executive director of INTA, and by Vanrell.
Cooperation agreements between ASIPI and ORIGIN, ITechLaw and John Marshall Law School were also executed.
This second day of the Work Sessions ended with relaxation in a night at the traditional restaurant Tenampa, a corner with 100 years of history, where music, flavours and drinks that are part of the identity of this wonderful country were shared.
The last conferences of these Work Sessions stood out for their quality, emotion and attractiveness. Nation brand, the impact of the IP in the telecommunications market, genetic engineering and patent rights and non-traditional marks were the issues raised by the excellent panellists.
Special guests, partner associations, governing bodies of intellectual property and national authorities supported the academic programme. The networking was as always an important part of the meeting.
The finale was a Gala Dinner at the iconic College of Vizcaínas, a symbol of the Mexican capital, on a warm night, with lights, flowers, aromas and flavours with Mexican charm. The presence of the artist Julieta Venegas was the perfect ending to these successful Work Sessions and the celebration of the first 50 years of our association.
But nothing stops, we are already working on the organisation of the next ASIPI Seminar to be held in Asunción between March 15 and 17, which will have agriculture as a focus for analysis and debate. We look forward to seeing you there.
Natalia Nogues is ASIPI’s press officer
