INTA Foundation Announces First Grant to Establish Intellectual Property Program for Under-Represented Students in Rio de Janeiro

New York, New York—April 24, 2023—The INTA Foundation has announced its inaugural grant to fund a program at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Law School’s program in intellectual property (IP). The Foundation was established to expand educational and professional development opportunities in intellectual property for a diversity of under-represented populations around the world.

UFRJ, founded over a century ago, is one of the largest Brazilian universities, with a focus on technology and economics. It is home to its own innovation agency that develops programs related to IP and technological exchange, focusing on the registration of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and software. Its undergraduate law school is one of the top three in the country, with an enrollment of over 3,000 students.

“This IP program allows our students to benefit from exploring an area of law that offers intellectual and creative opportunities with a curriculum and internship that is thoughtfully and professionally curated. In addition, the program will offer a smooth transition between undergraduate and post-graduate study here at UFRJ,” said Professor José Roberto Xavier, Coordinator of the Post Graduate Program at the UFRJ Law School.

Approximately 15 students will be enrolled in the program, which will include 60 hours of classes on patents, trademarks, copyright, as well as specialized English language courses. The program will conclude with a five day, 15-hour internship program with a local Brazilian law firm. Of the those enrolled, at least half will come from those benefiting from affirmative action at the university, including low-income, Black, indigenous, and disabled students. Course work for the inaugural term will begin on May 6, 2023.

“Everyone in IP benefits when our community is more diverse and inclusive, when we hear from a wide range of voices,” said INTA Foundation Board of Governors Member Joana Siqueira (Montaury Pimenta, Machado & Vieira de Melho Advogados, Brazil). “It is both a matter of pride and strategic mission that the INTA Foundation be at the forefront in fostering opportunities for our community to grow.”

About the INTA Foundation
The INTA Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic entity of the International Trademark Association (INTA) that seeks to expand educational and professional development opportunities in intellectual property (IP) for diverse, under-represented populations around the world. The INTA Foundation Board of Governors guides our activities with the generous support of our donor community. Through this support, the INTA Foundation is able to provide grants to organizations all over the world to create research and educational opportunities for students that might not otherwise have access to IP and the trademark profession. Learn more.

About the International Trademark Association
The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and complementary intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation, and committed to building a better society through brands. Members include nearly 6,000 organizations, representing more than 33,500 individuals (trademark owners, professionals, and academics) from 181 countries, who benefit from the Association’s global trademark resources, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Santiago, Singapore, and the Washington, D.C., Metro Area, and representatives in Amman and New Delhi. For more information, visit inta.org.

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