Conference review: Innovation & IP Forum and Awards
Speakers from all over the world debated and shared their expertise, knowledge and analysis at a major international summit on IP and innovation in Paris.
The first edition of the Innovation & IP Forum and Awards was held in Paris on January 23, 2018.
More than 450 European and international key players of the innovation world—from institutions including the European Commission, major international companies such as IBM, Ericsson, AB InBev, Airbus, Nestlé, Tata Group, Time Inc, Nokia, Dassault, Qualcomm, Airbus, Lindt, Orange, Skoda, AT&T and H&M, and several IP associations—gathered for this major international summit on intellectual property and innovation.
In the one-day programme, 55 outstanding speakers debated and shared their expertise, knowledge and analysis during interactive roundtables and keynote speeches on the main topics of: patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, and data protection/IT.
The 16 panels hosted prestigious speakers including:
- Niclas Morey, principal director, user support and quality management, European Patent Office;
- Sonia Cooper, senior patent attorney, Microsoft;
- Matthew Hitching, head of the European IP Group, Canon;
- Karine Crepin, associate vice president global head, biologics patents, Sanofi;
- Leonora Hoicka, chief trademark counsel, IBM;
- Wendy Pang, general counsel, IP & media, Danone;
- Sandro Chiesura, senior legal counsel, IP, global rights owner manager, eBay;
- Lee Pham, general counsel’s organization, American Express; and
- Florence Bigot, associate general counsel, Capgemini.
A time to network and celebrate
The Innovation & IP Forum and Awards featured networking opportunities in several ways. The One-to-One platform, designed to connect each participant to members of the international IP community, offered delegates the opportunity to enhance their international referral network and build new alliances.
In addition, the networking luncheon and the cocktail reception allowed attendees to develop their network and meet participants with diverse profiles.
The networking lunch was followed by the Best IP Department Awards which recognised the best IP departments all over Europe for their excellent annual results and lasting contribution to management and leadership. Among the winners, United Wagon Company won the gold award for the best IP department in Russia.
Liudmila Pakhomova, United Wagon Company’s deputy CEO and chief legal officer, said: “In 2012 we launched a green field freight car production which is now a leading manufacturer in Europe. We developed all-around IP protection of our major technologies and obtained 480 patents.
“These figures are levelling United Wagon Company to our worldwide peers such as Amsted Rail and Wabtec Сorporation. We appreciate that our efforts were recognised by the international experts who awarded our company with Best IP department in Russia and Eastern Europe 2018.”
Next on the agenda was the Best IP Advisors Awards, which followed a cocktail hour and rewarded best EMEA IP advisors. The gold award winners in each category were elected by more than 70 specialist jury panels (general counsel and chief IP counsel), who committed themselves to assessing the application forms submitted by carefully pre-selected laureates.
