Leaders League at AIPPI Cancún 2018

Leaders League. How does the AIPPI see this year’s Congress compared to previous editions?

Olga Sirakova. As you know AIPPI is a 121-year-old organization. Its international meetings have been changing during the years and we try to take the best from the former ones and learn what could be done better. We also try to closely embed it in the context of the host country and in close cooperation with the respective national group, so that each Congress also provides us with an insight into a new cultural and socio-economic environment. The Cancun Congress, even though a first in certain aspects, was not an exception – it was based on traditions we are proud of, and our desire to develop them, keeping the pace of time.

The Congress was attended by about 1400 participants who were very active in the discussions and could experience the Mayan heritage and the beautiful nature of the Yucatan peninsula.

For the first time AIPPI had a buyout of the main hotel, which allowed us to organize more events and made us feel even more at home in Cancun. It was also the first time for the hotel to sell out the entire premises for a meeting. The experience seems to have been great for both sides, and we are thankful for this possibility. The Mexican hosts of our AIPPI group did a fantastic job in making us experience a Caribbean feeling during the whole meeting. We had a “no ties” dress code and a “white” closing dinner where a lot of the participants wore the traditional guayabera. The shirts and the blouses were prepared by the Mayan community, as were some of the gifts handed out during the Congress. We hope to have helped even though a little, to preserve the Mayan culture.

The Council of Presidents and the Executive Committee meetings discussed different hot topics, including on the organization of our Congresses, budgetary issues and how we want to proceed following the subscription fees increase, and testing for the second year the possibility of non-members attending the Congresses.

We had for the second time the Young AIPPI members Forum, which was very successful and encouraging to continue with.

Furthermore, many participants considered the First time Attendees meeting as an excellent format. It has been organized for years now, and we plan to continue improving it.

The In-House Counsel Committee is making its first steps and we look forward to its full-scale functioning. The Women in AIPPI was also a special experience in the amazing spa of the venue.

With discussions ranging from 3D trademarks, to access to medicines and morality in trademarks, what would you say was the main theme that permeated this year’s Congress? What decisions made during the Studies Committees would you highlight?

You are right that the subjects discussed cover a very broad range of cutting-edge IP topics. This is a reflection of AIPPI being a true global IP organization. I would not dare to prioritize the themes discussed. What one expects as a concrete result from each Annual meeting are the resolutions, which reflect the opinion of our members coming from different countries all over the globe and representing a broad variety of stakeholders. The Resolutions are adopted after -unique for AIPPI - a sophisticated brainstorming process aiming to help harmonizing national and international laws. This year’s 4 Resolutions on Study questions have been adopted – in the field of patents on conflicting patent applications, in the field of trademarks on registrability of 3D marks, in the field of designs – on partial designs, and in general IP – on joint liability for IP infringements. The Standing Committee on Pharma and Biotech proposed a Resolution on Post filing data, the Standing Committee on Enforcement – HCCH – Judgement Project.

The Panel sessions discussed topics like Artificial intelligence – the real IP issues, Standard Essential Patents, Doctrine of Equivalents, Agriculture – patents and more, Balancing copyright with other rights, Personality Rights, Communication to the public, Genuine use of Trademarks, Market survey evidence, Provisional and post term enforcement. The pharma day is a landmark for AIPPI – for years it attracts people dealing with pharma issues and this year was no exception. We most sincerely thank the representatives of all IP5 offices who made a very interesting lunch panel session in Cancun. And yes, the pop band The Slants shared their experience with morality and trademarks. Blockchain and cryptocurrencies were also a subject of a lunch panel.

What can the public expect from AIPPI London 2019?

Another great Congress to bring wonderful memories, new professional contacts and friends, exciting debates about cutting-edge IP questions and more. Be ready for a great experience!

I could share the Study questions which have already been agreed for London: in the field of patents – plausibility, in the field of trademarks and maybe more – consumer survey evidence, in the field of copyright – copyright in artificially generated works, general IP filed – IP damages for acts other than sales. We hope to adopt Resolutions that would further influence the development of IP on subjects to be proposed by our Standing committees as well. And of course – there is much more. Come and share this experience with us!