International Trademark Association

The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a worldwide not-for-profit advocacy association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective global commerce.

INTA’s members are more than 6,500 organizations from 190 countries. INTA members collectively contribute almost US $12 trillion / €8.8 trillion / ¥73 trillion to global GDP annually. For comparison, the 2013 annual GDP of the top three markets was $9.2 trillion (China), $17.9 trillion (European Union) and $16.7 trillion (United States).

The Association's member organizations represent some 30,000 trademark professionals and include brand owners from major corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprisess, law firms and nonprofits. There are also government agency members as well as individual professor and student members.

INTA undertakes advocacy work throughout the world to advance trademarks and offers educational programs and informational and legal resources of global interest.

History

INTA, originally known as the United States Trademark Association (USTA), was established in November 1878 in New York City by 17 merchants and manufacturers to protect and promote the rights of trademark owners, secure useful legislation, and give aid and encouragement to all efforts for the advancement and observance of trademark rights.

In 1908, the Association became a business corporation under the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, and it was given broad powers to act for the protection of trademarks in the United States and around the world.

In 1926, the USTA became a not-for-profit member organization.

In 1993, the Association changed its name to the International Trademark Association.

Activities

INTA provides services to its members and the public in three main areas: Global Trademark Resources, Programs & Events, and Policy & Advocacy [1]

INTA produces digital and print publications, including the INTA Bulletin and The Trademark Reporter, and multijurisdictional databases, such as Country Guides, covering various topics and jurisdictions worldwide. Some resources (focusing on the basics of trademark law) are available to the general public, others (on legal practice in jurisdictions worldwide) are available to members only.

The Trademark Reporter is a bi-monthly scholarly journal that explores all aspects of trademark law, and the INTA Bulletin is INTA’s bi-weekly newsletter delivering news about Association activities, and developments and trends in global trademark law. [2]

INTA hosts meetings, conferences, roundtables and e-learning programs that bring international trademark professionals together to discuss trademark issues, IP law and practice. These events are open to members and non-members.

INTA’s largest event is the Annual Meeting , which dates back to 1878. The Meeting takes place every May, attracts around 9,000 participants from around the globe, and consists of five days of networking, educational and professional development opportunities, as well as committee meetings and exhibits. [3]

INTA works to promote effective trademark laws and policies worldwide. INTA carries out its Policy and Advocacy work through Model Laws and Guidelines, Board of Directors Resolutions, Amicus Briefs, Testimony and Submissions, and Reports.

The committees of INTA’s Policy Development and Advocacy Group are:

Structure

INTA is led by a Board of Directors composed of up to 36 representatives of member organizations. The Board elects several Officers and works with the CEO and staff, along with the member volunteers who serve on committees to implement the Association’s Strategic Plan. J. Scott Evans (Adobe Systems Incorporated—USA) is the current INTA President. The Board appoints committees that conduct the work of the association. Any individual who works for a member organization is eligible to apply for committee membership.

[4]

Membership

INTA members include more than 6,500 organizations from 190 countries. The Association's member organizations represent some 30,000 trademark professionals working at:

The global membership is approximately distributed as:

[5]

INTA's Locations

The Association has headquarters in New York City, offices in Brussels, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., and a representative in Geneva.

In 2003, INTA opened its China Representative Office in Shanghai: the first office outside the United States.

In 2006, INTA opened its Europe Representative Office in Brussels, Belgium.

In 2007, INTA opened a representative office in Washington, DC.

The INTA Annual Meeting

INTA’s largest event is the Annual Meeting, which dates back to 1878. The Meeting takes place every May, attracts participants from around the globe, and consists of five days of networking, educational and professional development opportunities, as well as committee meetings and exhibits.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.inta.org/GlobalTrademark/Pages/main.aspx Global Trademark Resources
  2. ↑ Programs & Events
  3. ↑ Policy & Advocacy
  4. ↑ http://www.inta.org/About/Pages/LeadershipandGovernance.aspx
  5. ↑ http://www.inta.org/Membership/Pages/Membership.aspx

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 2/19/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.