The International Trademark Association (INTA) held its 126th Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, May 1 – 5, 2004. The meeting was held jointly at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta & Atlanta Marriott Marquis. This year, more than 7,000 attendees from more than 140 countries took part in the meeting to stay current on trends and new trademark developments worldwide, conduct committee work and meet with colleagues from around the world.
Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) participated in INTA Annual Meeting this year with ten representatives from the regional office and other AGIP offices. Mr. Charles Sha’ban, Executive Director of AGIP’s Regional Office said, “INTA Annual Meeting provides a unique opportunity to meet IP experts and organizations, to exchange expertise with them,” adding that “It is also an opportunity to meet once again with our clients and associates, and to make new acquaintances in the IP society.”
AGIP Domain Names Registration Officer, Mr. Mahmoud Lattouf, said, “We have met our clients, enhanced our relationship with them, and we learned from the informative programs offered at INTA 126th Annual Meeting.”
The opening ceremonies took place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel; speakers included INTA President, Jacqueline A. Leimer, and the Mayor of Atlanta, the Honorable Shirley Franklin. The Meeting also featured key guest speakers and major international figures in this field. Speakers from the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Brazil and many others also took part in the event.
At INTA Annual Meeting, there were informative programs covering a wide scope of international trademark issues and developments such as: international filing strategies regarding the Madrid Protocol, EU enlargement and its impact on Community Trade Mark Rights (CTM), electronic filing of trademarks, trademark licensing and others. The Meeting also included a number of celebratory events, in addition to an innovative mix of educational programs, exhibitions and networking opportunities.
It is worth mentioning that AGIP has been attending INTA Annual Meetings regularly since 1994.