INTA Joins Global Celebration of World IP Day 2023 with Virtual Events

Today is World IP Day. INTA is marking the day with a series of events around the globe celebrating this year’s theme of “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.”

INTA’s festivities kicked off on Thursday, April 20, with a talk on intellectual property (IP) awareness at the Dastkar Summer Bazaar in New Delhi, India. Dastkar is a private, not-for-profit NGO established in 1981, working to support Indians engaged in the production of traditional crafts. Many of these craftspeople are village-based women. Dastkar’s objective is to help craftspeople regain their place in the economic mainstream. INTA members Bisman Kaur and Radha Khera of Remfry & Sagar (India) spoke to an audience of about 40 artisans, crafters, and small business owners about the importance of IP and explained how it impacts their everyday life and work, and how they can use IP to leverage their economic status and strengthen their brand.

Also in India, INTA teamed up with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the United States Consulate in Kolkata, in partnership with the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Centre for Law and Technology, and Authentix Online Brand Protection, to host a roundtable and panel discussion on the World IP Day theme. The event took place on April 24 on the NUJS Kolkata campus. The speakers included government officials and INTA members from the region.

Yesterday in China, the Association hosted a virtual roundtable titled “Stay Ahead of the Curve: the 5th Amendment of the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China.” The event provided INTA with an opportunity to update members on the state of play of the 5th Amendment, to share the Association’s positions and activities on this front, and to solicit input on best practices and similar statutory provisions worldwide for further engagement with the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

Earlier today, INTA President Jomarie Fredericks, along with INTA staff and local members, including INTA Board Member Okan Çan of Deriş Legal (Turkey), participated in a World IP Day event co-hosted by TurkPatent in collaboration with Deriş Legal and Istanbul University. The event focused on how geographical indications can benefit women entrepreneurs in the region affected by the recent earthquakes. Ms. Fredericks joined virtually and delivered welcome remarks, highlighting the Association’s various initiatives to support and advance women in IP.

Today in Washington, D.C., Ms. Fredericks, together with INTA members and staff, celebrated World IP Day on Capitol Hill. The event celebrates the work of trailblazing women around the world and raises awareness about the importance of encouraging more women to participate in the IP system. The event is sponsored by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), member, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property. American Intellectual Property Law Association Executive Director Vincent E. Garlock and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Kathi Vidal, delivered remarks, and a panel discussion covered women innovators, creators, and inventors, with a Q&A session moderated by Intellectual Property Owners Association Executive Director Jessica Landacre and Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy, U.S. Chamber Global Innovation Policy Center, Brad Watts.

Looking ahead, on Friday, April 28, INTA will partner with Mercado Libre to present a seminar on “Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Maximizing the Value of Intellectual Property” in Buenos Aires, Argentina. INTA and Mercado Libre developed the program for a corporate audience from the region to discuss the impact of brands in societies and the contribution of women to their success.

Finally, a number of INTA staff and members participated in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) video campaigns that serve to promote the theme of the day. These included videos of inspiring messages in support of women inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs, highlighting how we all benefit when more women join the IP universe.

Hosted by WIPO, World IP Day is celebrated annually on April 26. This year’s events focused on celebrating the creativity, ingenuity and hard work of women creators and innovators, while also bringing attention to the challenges women face in accessing the knowledge, skills, resources and support they need to thrive. INTA is proud to join the global IP community in recognition of this important day.

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