Event report – Second IP Researchers Europe Conference in Geneva

The IPKat is happy to host this report prepared by Irene Calboli (Texas A&M University and Université de Genève) and Jacques de Werra (Université de Genève) on the conference that they have recently organized together with WIPO and WTO and that was held in Geneva in late June. Here’s what they write:

On June 28 and 29, 2019, scholars coming from various countries in Europe, Asia and North America gathered in Geneva to attend and present their works-in-progress at the Second IP Researchers Europe Conference (IPRE). The first day of IPRE was held at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the second day at the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO). 

IPRE is an initiative that was launched in 2018 by the School of Law of the University of Geneva in collaboration with WIPO and WTO, to promote a forum for IP scholars—from Ph.D. candidates to senior professors—to discuss their research in Geneva and thus benefit from the privileged position that the city enjoys as an international hub for policy debates in IP. As its general feature, IPRE seeks to feature primarily European-focused or Europe-based IP research. Yet, since its inaugural edition, IPRE has included researchers presenting on topics also related to comparative, regional and/or international IP law. This has resulted in very stimulating debates and interactions and in the creation of a truly international community of IP scholars. The first and the second editions of IPRE have also been benefitted from synergies created with the WIPO-WTO Colloquium for IP Teachers, which gathers a diverse group of talented IP scholars who participated to IPRE, whereby several academics participating in the WIPO-WTO Colloquium have also presented papers at IPRE. 

The first day of the IPRE was opened by Mr. Mario Matus, WIPO Deputy Director General for the Development Sector, who highlighted the importance of teaching and researching in IP, in particular regarding the relationship between IP and development, and stressed the support that WIPO and the WIPO Academy provide to academics and academic activities in this respect. The second day was opened by Mr. Tony Taubman, Director of the Intellectual Property, Public Procurement and Competition Division of the World Trade Organization, whose remarks focused on the relationship between academic researchers and teachers and policy makers and the importance of creating synergies between these two groups to advance the discussion on issues related to policy making in IP. Professors Jacques de Werra, Professor of IP at the School of Law, University of Geneva, and Irene Calboli, Academic Fellow at the University of Geneva and Professor at Texas A&M School of Law, provided closing remarks on the two days of the Conference. They both emphasized the importance of the growing IPRE academic community as a forum for exchanges of ideas, mentorship, and future collaborations. They gratefully acknowledged the support of WIPO and WTO for the First and Second edition of the IPRE Conferences.

During the course of two days of IPRE, scholars presented papers on a very large variety of topics and IP perspectives spreading from Trademarks, to Patents, AI & New Technologies, Copyrights, Access to Medicines, Standard Essential Patents, Geographical Indications, IPRs & Trade, Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge. The large number of presenters was divided in three tracks during the course of the two days of the Conference. Each session was very well attended and brought about much food for thought for the presenters as well as for the audience and led to lots of follow up discussions and feedback. The full Conference Program and the List of Presenters with their respective biographies is available here. 

Last but not least, the students of the WIPO – University of Geneva IP summer school (which gathers a very diversified and talented group of IP students and IP professionals) also had the chance to participate to this second edition of IPRE which gave them the privileged opportunity to learn about highly stimulating IP topics which was a unique experience for them. 

Overall, the Second IPRE was a resounding success and the preparation for the Third IPRE in 2020 is already in motion. Stay tuned for more information in a few months!