INTA and Intellectual Property Constituency Host Successful Fundraiser at ICANN61 in Puerto Rico

INTA and the ICANN Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC) took the opportunity to leave the windowless conference rooms of ICANN61, held in Puerto Rico in March, in order to head out to the beach for a fundraiser to benefit the victims of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico last fall.

Sponsored by Com Laude and the San Juan law firm of Ferraiuoli LLC, the event took place on March 13, 2018. Attendees included INTA and IPC members attending the ICANN meeting, INTA members residing in Puerto Rico, ICANN senior staff and Board members, community leaders, and government officials. The venue was situated right on the beach at the La Concha Resort in Condado, where more than 120 guests heard about the exciting work being done by the Ricky Martin (RM) Foundation, the recipient of the funds raised that evening.

The RM Foundation was founded to prevent human trafficking. The Executive Director of the Foundation, Bibiana Ferraiuoli, explained how natural disasters increase the potential for human trafficking by making populations more vulnerable to exploitation. She also explained how the Foundation organized a dedicated hurricane relief fund to help rebuild homes and provide essential supplies to Puerto Ricans who lost everything in the hurricanes that battered their island.

Approximately USD 6,000 was raised through generous donations from the event’s sponsors and guests, who provided individual donations. The money will go directly toward building 200 homes in the town of Loiza. All agreed that it was a very special evening and reminded everyone of the importance of being connected to the communities that host these meetings. Ms. Ferraiuoli commented, “the Ricky Martin Foundation is pleased to see so many guests from around the world take an interest in helping Puerto Rico rebuild.”

This community outreach reception was part of INTA’s continued efforts to promote corporate social responsibility and provide meaningful events for our members.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of items in the INTA Bulletin, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest. Law & Practice updates are published without comment from INTA except where it has taken an official position.