AL-INVEST Verde IPR participated in a conference on green economy
From 1-3 September AL-INVEST Verde IPR held the event entitled ‘Intellectual Property and Bioeconomy’ during the tenth edition of the Green Rio conference in cooperation with the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). This included a 3-day information stand and a seminar called ‘Intellectual Property Strategies for the Benefit of Green Technologies and Sustainable Development’. Speakers included Cláudio Vilar Furtado, the President of INPI Brazil, and Luis Fernando Samper, a Colombian expert in geographical indications (GIs). The seminar was followed by a Q&A session and a closed networking reception.
Cláudio Vilar Furtado has lead the INPI for almost 4 years and has had an important role in modernising the Brazilian IP system. Under his leadership, the INPI joined the Madrid Protocol, implemented a roadmap to overcome their backlog, and established a digital IP plan to improve access to the INPI’s services and information.
The key note speech was delivered by Luis Fernando Samper, who previously worked at the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation for 13 years as Marketing Manager and IP Director creating the architecture of the famous ‘Café de Colombia’ brand. His presentation focused on the economic, social and environmental benefits of GIs and how they can be instrumental in contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if the priorities of the producers are properly considered through a bottom-up approach.
The seminar and network reception brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss how IP can assist green innovation. Stefan Agne from the EU Delegation to Brazil opened the networking reception stressing the importance of IP for the green economy. Private sector participants included representatives from IP law firms and the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), as well as the President of the Brazilian Association for IP Agents (ABAPI) and a judge of the Federal Regional Court of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Also noteworthy was the presence of the SEBRAE, the Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises, and the Innovation Agency of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) representing research institutions.
Public sector attendees were comprised by decision makers from the EU delegation to Brazil, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), the local branch of the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO), and representatives from foreign administrations such as the IP Attaché of the United States’ International Trade Administration and the IP Counsellor for Latin America of the French government. Civil society was represented by invitees from the Network for Technology and Innovation of Rio de Janeiro (REDETEC), the Brazilian IP Association (ABPI) and the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS).
AL-INVEST Verde IPR’s debut offered an excellent opportunity for exchanging views and sharing knowledge, resulting in much food for thought for future activities. For more information, please check our press release (available in Portuguese only).
See also the presentation, recording and photos here.