From the 26th to the 28th of November, Barcelona became the European epicentre of Industrial Property for the 3rd European Forum on Industrial Property held by ANDEMA (Association for the Defence of Brands), with the support of The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM), Barcelona City Council and ACCIÓ, among other private sector partners. 

This event brought together over 300 experts, institutional representatives and international organisations, such as INTA, EUIPO and WIPO, to discuss the main challenges and opportunities regarding trademarks, patents and the fight against counterfeiting. In addition to more participants than ever before, as well as significant institutional participation, media coverage and broader and varied content, this was the Forum edition with the highest attendance of representatives from brands and European and international organisation.  The attendance of ANDEMA’s counterpart associations from France or Italy, UNIFAB and INDICAM, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group, the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) or the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) are of particular note.

Eduardo Petrossi, president of ANDEMA, emphasised that “we are looking at the consolidation not only of this Forum, which has an increasing European and International dimension, but the role of our country and its contribution to the world of industrial property. This forum shows that industrial property is not only a legal aspect, it is a driver of economic, social and cultural development. Protecting trademarks means protecting employment, innovation and trust. Spain is spearheading this commitment in Europe”, Petrossi concluded.

PONS IP took on a leading role in two workshops with the participation of Pablo López Ronda, Trademark & Brand Intelligence Director, and Juan Luis Antolín Gómez, Communications Director. Rocío Peris, Marketing Director, and Dulce Rodríguez, Industrial Property consultant in the Marketing Management Department, also participated, strengthening the presence of our company in this strategic forum.

The topics addressed included police coordination against counterfeiting, the impact of essential patents on competition, the challenges of the digital world and sustainability, as well as the role of media in protecting trademark rights and promoting IP culture in society.

Alongside PONS IP, leading experts attended the two-day European Forum participating in round tables, including institutions of note such as the European Commission, the Spanish Data Protection Agency, Customs and Tax Agency, Madrid City Council and Barcelona’s Prosecutor’s Office, as well as companies such as Ecoalf, ISDIN, Inditex, HM Hospitales, Louis Vuitton, Mahou San Miguel, Angulas Aguinaga, TOUS or Xiaomi.