We are just a few steps away from the 43rd International Congress on Intellectual Property, organized by ABPI (Brazilian Intellectual Property Association), taking place from August 20 to 22 in Rio de Janeiro. As the largest event of its kind in Latin America and celebrating ABPI’s 60 years of existence, the Congress is geared toward the future. It comes as no coincidence that the opening session on Sunday, August 20, will feature keynote speaker Crystal Washington, a technology strategist listed by Forbes among the top 50 global female futurists.
On August 21, Jomarie Fredericks, President of INTA – International Trademark Association, will also be a highlight in the opening ceremony of the ABPI Congress. Jomarie presides over the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of INTA and is Deputy General Counsel, Chief Intellectual Property and Brand Counsel at Rotary International, the worldwide not-for-profit association of 36,000-member Rotary clubs and The Rotary Foundation. But there is much more!
Over three days, distinguished experts from Brazil and abroad will gather to discuss the most relevant themes impacting contemporary society through the lens of Intellectual Property – trademarks, patents, copyright, technology transfer, industrial design, and more. Topics will include diversity and social inclusion, artificial intelligence, innovation, and economics, among others.
It is no exaggeration to affirm that the speakers at this year’s Congress, which will be held in a hybrid format (in-person and online), comprise the world’s Intellectual Property elite. Starting with Kathi Vidal, head of the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office), the world’s second-largest Intellectual Property Office, with over 13,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $4 billion.
Among the prominent figures from the judiciary participating in the Congress, we highlight Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, Vice-President of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (STF), who will be the guest speaker at the Monday, August 21 lunch talk on “Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, and Challenges for Law.” Another noteworthy presence is Klaus Grabinski, President of the Court of Appeal at the Unified Patent Court (UPC), who will be speaking on Tuesday, August 22, at Panel 8, addressing the UPC’s role.
In the realm of IP regulation, we highlight a presentation by Júlio César Moreira, President of the BPTO (Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office), on the “Brazilian National IP Plan” during Plenary 1 on Monday, August 21.
The participation of representatives from IP think tanks further confirms the Congress’s significance. Etienne Sanz de Acedo, CEO of INTA (International Trademark Association), the world’s largest trademark association, will speak on Tuesday, August 22, during Plenary 2, discussing the “Intellectual Property of the Future” alongside Sherif Saadallah, Executive Director of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).
The President of LIDC (International League of Competition Law), Christophe Rapin, will be a speaker at Panel 3 on Monday, August 21, addressing the topic “Digital Services Act and Competition Law.” The same panel will feature Juliana Domingues, Chief Prosecutor of CADE (Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense).
The Congress, anchored under the theme “IP as a promoter of social equality,” will feature Reinaldo Bulgarelli, Executive Secretary of the Forum of Companies and LGBTI+ Rights. Bulgarelli will be the guest speaker at the lunch talk on Tuesday, August 22, focusing on “LGBTQIAPN+ Diversity: Respecting Rights and Creating an Inclusive Environment as Promoters of Equity.” The event, exclusively for in-person congress attendees, was organized by ABPI’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
The names mentioned are just a glimpse of the heavyweight speakers at the 43rd Congress. We will have many other prominent stars at the event, including government authorities, judiciary members, academics, and representatives from companies such as Bayer, Embrapa, ArentFox, Ericsson, UPL, Globo, and Motion Picture, among others.
Check out the full schedule of presentations and all the highlights of the event on the website.
To attend the lunch lecture with justice Luís Roberto Barroso, click here.
To attend the lunch lecture with Reinaldo Bulgarelli, click here.
