Meetings of great minds ...?

Swig expectantly awaits the INTA

The IPKat is elated to report that, at long last, details have emerged of this year's "Meet the Bloggers" (MTB) meeting, an informal and off-programme which takes place during each year's International Trademark Association (INTA) Meeting. MTB is, as its name suggests, a chance for anyone -- readers, information suppliers, government officials, judges, lawyers and clients whose activities are praised or criticised on IP weblogs -- to meet the bloggers in person and generally chat with them.  Apart from the fact that the meeting offers some first rate networking and a great chance to pick up some genuine gossip, it also gives the community of IP bloggers who attend INTA the scope to glean some feedback from readers whom they may meet only rarely (or indeed never) under normal blogging conditions.

You can meet the bloggers on Tuesday 17 May [note the change of date, says Merpel -- it's usually the Monday] at Swig, 561 Geary Street, San Francisco (details here).  The event commences, if that be the right word, at 8pm in The Loft, and goes on until the anecdotes run dry.  There is no registration fee, no registration procedure, no admission cost ...

By the way, as a labour of love, MTB founder member Marty ("Trademark Blog") Schwimmer has generously offered to compile a de facto directory of IP law blogs, possibly in return for the rebranding of the event as BlogFest.  If you'd like Marty to record details of your IP law blog, be sure to email them to him here, using the subject line "BlogFest".


The IPKat is simultaneously devastated that, on account of his attendance at the very same INTA Meeting in San Francisco, he won't be able to attend this attractive little event:

The Alliance Against IP Theft

Invites you to

An Intellectual Property Conference

“IP – The Keystone to Economic Success”

Wednesday 18^th May 2011
At the British Film Institute, Belvedere Road, Southbank, London, SE1 8XT

9.15am – 4pm

Followed by a drinks reception

Registration and light breakfast from 8.30am

With economic growth sitting at the top of the Government’s agenda and following the Chancellor’s comments that ‘a strong IP framework is essential to many businesses’ the Alliance Against IP Theft is pleased to invite you to a conference to discuss the role IP has in supporting economic growth and employment.  With the Hargreaves Independent Review of IP and Growth due to report shortly, the conference will also provide a timely opportunity to discuss and debate its conclusions.                           Keynote speakers Rt. Hon. Dr Vincent Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Ivan Lewis MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport This day event, chaired by former Chief Executive of Channel 5, David Elstein, will also include three panel discussions: ·        Session 1: IP, the Economy and Jobs – What practical policy steps can be taken to ensure IP rich industries continue to grow and create more new jobs?  Is the current policy framework constraining the ability of UK businesses and entrepreneurs to maximise their investments? ·        Session 2: IP and Society – How important is it that effective enforcement exists to protect consumers from fake goods?  Are changes in technology are affecting consumer behaviour and choice?  What role does that the ability to effectively protect IP rights play in the success of new products and businesses? ·        Session 3: The International Picture – Is the UK falling behind other jurisdictions in protecting and exploiting its IP? Session participants already confirmed include: Matthew Fell, Director of Competitive Markets, CBI Martin Spence, BECTU Andy Foster, Operations Director, Trading Standards Institute Ted Shapiro, General Counsel, Motion Picture Association A representative from the Intellectual Property Office Will Page, Chief Economist, PRS for Music Heather O’Malley, Assistant Attache, US Homeland Security Investigations Caroline Rolfe, Links of London Mary Ellen Field, Brand Finance There will be plenty of opportunity for debate and exchange of views around these vital issues during the day. A number of people have already reserved their places at this free event, so to confirm your place, please email alliance@luther.co.uk or call Amy Bourke on 0207 618 9142. A full agenda will be distributed to attendees before the event.

If you'd like to (i) write a report and/or (ii) test your ability to hold your drink against genuine elected members of the UK's Lower House, can you please let the Kats know by email here, with the subject line "IP Keystone", so that they can plan to host it on this weblog.