Africa is @INTA

From the madness that is INTA, here is a short synopsis of Monday and Tuesday events, table topics and panels that include Africans or cover African related issues.

 

You can also follow the INTA through twitter on #INTA16 where you can enjoy tweets from the likes of @Kisch_IP, @RouseIP, @AdamsAdamslaw, @ManagingIP, @WTRmagazine @WorldIPReview, @INTA, @AfroIP, @Ivoryblossum, @KellyThompsonSA, @DarrenTOlivier amongst others   

Monday, May 23

CM02 Utilizing Regional IP Attachés Representing the U.S., Europe, & Japan Abroad: For Brand Owners and Policy Makers
Intermediate Level

Many national IP Offices station IP Attachés in regions throughout the world to advocate for sound international IP policy and to help protect their respective commercial interests abroad. Learn about the valuable resources and support provided by these IP Attachés and how to utilize them as both sources of information and as allies in trademark protection and anticounterfeiting enforcement activities. Speakers will discuss:

• As a brand owner or brand owner representative, what can IP Attachés do for me?
• How do IP Attachés initiate and take part in anticounterfeiting efforts? 
• What types of policy matters to IP Attachés promote? 
• What types of outreach and education to IP Attachés provide to the public and to local governments?
• How do IP Attachés coordinate with their respective home offices and other government agencies? 

Moderator:
Aisha Salem, USPTO IP Attaché for Middle East and North Africa (Kuwait)

Speakers: 
Gerardo Munoz de Cote, Televisa, S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)
Leila Equinet, INPI French PTO (United States)
Riki Kishimoto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)

CM21 Anticounterfeiting Strategies in South East Asia and Africa 
Intermediate to Advanced Level

This interactive session will present a case study where brand owners and regulatory bodies are informed of strategies for effectively combating counterfeits in any industry area. Speakers will discuss highlight issues and offer perspectives from each region represented. 

Moderator:
Lara Kayode, O. Kayode & Company (Nigeria)

Speakers:
Kingsley Ejiofor, The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) (Nigeria)
William Mansfield, ABRO Industries, Inc. (United States)
Nick Redfearn, Rouse & Co. International LLP (Indonesia)

 CM51 Where Am I? Transporting Your Trademark Career to a Different Country
Beginner Level

It is often said that the world is a global village, and in the world of trademarks this is now truer than ever. This session highlights the benefits to corporations, service providers and law firms of having expats, with their unique skills and experiences, on their team. It will also address the feasibility of transferring licenses to practice in other countries and ways to continue your career without a local license. Expats who have successfully transferred their careers cross border will share their experiences. Challenges and pitfalls to such a professional move are all part of the journey and will also be discussed.

The panel consists of a lawyer from the US who started his own firm in Brazil, an Australian lawyer who immigrated to the US and worked initially in law firms and now is with an international legal service provider, a lawyer from South Africa who is now in-house counsel in Europe and a New Zealand lawyer who is now partner in an international law firm, with her office located in Dubai.

Discussion points will include:

• What are the unique skills that expats bring to corporations, firms and service providers?
• Transferring and applying “local” trademark knowledge to a career in a different country.
• Must one obtain a local law license to work in the trademark field in a country other than where they initially qualified?
• Ethical considerations in being subject to two separate and possibly conflicting ethical guidelines. 

Moderator:
Kay Rickelman, Spoor & Fisher (South Africa)

Speakers:
Jayne Elizabeth Durden, CPA Global (United Kingdom)
Barry Gerber, Philip Morris International Management SA (Switzerland)   
Walter W. Palmer, Pinheiro Palmer Advogados (Brazil)

Africa Reception (5pm - 6pm - Convention Centre) 
(By invitation only)

This reception provides registrants from Africa with an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences concerning the benefits and challenges of doing business in the region. This reception provides an opportunity to meet with INTA’s CEO and other INTA staff.

Tuesday, May 24

RT20 Africa and Middle East Regional Update: Opportunity and Growth Amidst the Turmoil of the Middle East and a Rising Africa
Intermediate Level

An overview on trademark developments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)/Levant, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North Africa. This panel will discuss the impact of instability in the Middle East on the trademark regime, the GCC Trademark Law, Kuwait accession to the Paris Convention, well-known marks and online enforcement. Experts will look back at the effects of OAPI joining the Madrid Protocol at the end of 2014, and strengthening ties with the power houses of Asia. 

Moderator:
Hoda Barakat, Hoda Barakat Legal Consultancy (United Arab Emirates)

Speakers:
Elie Atallah, Brand Owners' Protection Group (United Arab Emirates)
Karim El Helali, Oracle Systems Limited (Middle East)
Charles Webster, Spoor & Fisher (South Africa)