Brand protection at major sporting events and protecting the arts is the focus of World IP day conference
Published by Anne Marie Hughes on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:16
Brand protection at major sporting events and protecting Scottish creativity using intellectual property (IP) will be the focus of discussions at the sell-out World Intellectual Property Day 2012 conference in Edinburgh on Friday 27 April. Organised by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates, the conference entitled 'Visionary Innovators' will include talks from Pete Wishart MP and Aileen Alexander, legal manager of Glasgow 2014 Limited.
Graeme McWilliams, conference co-chair and member of the Society's Intellectual Property Law Committee said: "This is the fifth annual conference organised in Edinburgh. World IP Day is celebrated all over the world in April and it's a very effective way of highlighting the importance, value and significance of IP in everyday life and business.
"Obviously, with 2012 being an Olympic year, sport is currently very much at the forefront of peoples' minds, so we are delighted that Aileen Alexander from Glasgow 2014 Limited will be addressing the conference. Brand protection is of vital importance to world events such as the Commonwealth Games, and Aileen will be highlighting the issues that can arise around infringement and enforcement of brand, as well as exploring areas such as ambush marketing."
Pete Wishart MP, former member of the band Runrig, will also be addressing the conference, and will be looking at the vital role IP plays in the protection and development of the arts, as well as the tensions and challenges in the general debate about IP and copyright between consumers, rights holders, content providers and content creators.
Wishart said: "The IP supported industry in the UK is worth £65billion and supports up to 2.7 billion jobs across the world. It is one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy as well as being one of most successful. Improving the IP system is crucial to the future development and success of our creative industries and allows those involved in the creative industry from artists, film makers and designers to be rewarded and credited for their work as well as providing an environment that encourages creativity."
Wishart continued: "There are a number of reviews and consultations that are currently being undertaken in Government, for example the Hargreaves review and the feasibility study into a Digital Copyright Exchange. There is also an enquiry ongoing that is looking at how Government determines IP policy which I am involved with, and I look forward to exploring this with the conference delegates at the event."
World IP Day was started in 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. Conferences and events are held all over the world on or around 26 April to celebrate innovation and creativity and how intellectual property fosters and encourages them.
World IP Day 2012 focuses on Visionary Innovators - individuals whose ingenuity and artistry have broken moulds, opened new horizons and made a lasting impact.
