The 2025 AIPPI World Congress Programme in 3 minutes

The Yokohama Congress Programme in 3 minutes:

First reason. An unprecedented number of judges and in-house speakers!

The Yokohama Congress will welcome the largest number of judges and in-house representatives at an AIPPI Congress to date. Two judges from the UPC, a judge from the German Supreme Court and several of their colleagues will be taking part in our Congress. In-house practitioners from leading companies in the electronics, food & beverage, luxury goods and gaming sectors will be sharing their experience and views with AIPPI members. The number of representatives from IP offices and intergovernmental organizations will also be unprecedented.

Second reason. Panel sessions: the hottest topics!

Naturally, the Congress will continue to study AI. Several panels will be devoted to this topic, both in the pharma field and in copyright, with the presentation of the latest AIPPI/Kluwer Book and the Copyright Study Question.

The pharma day will also cover, among others, biosimilar litigation and personalized medicine. In the field of patents, the latest decisions on FRAND, trade secret, client attorney privileges and PIs will be analyzed for you. Of course, there will also be a panel on UPC rulings (with two presiding judges)! Don’t miss the panel on the CJEU ruling in BSH Hausgeräte GmbH v Electrolux AB (C-339/22), which reshuffles the deck in terms of jurisdiction in cross-border patent infringement, or the one devoted to divisional patent strategies, or mediation, which is becoming more important every year.

In terms of trademarks, we’ll be looking at the problems associated with influencers, as well as the explosion of dupes, a new form of counterfeiting that is wreaking havoc in the luxury goods industry. Acquisition of distinctiveness of trademarks through use will also be addressed. Another innovative topic will open up new perspectives for trademark applicants: non-traditional trademarks in the fashion industry.

Finally, the gaming panel will explore the challenges facing this industry (metaverse, user-generated content, etc.) and protection strategies.

Third reason. The two lunch sessions: diving into Japanese culture!

Once again this year, you can register for two lunch sessions that will enable you to network in a relaxed atmosphere.

The first lunch is devoted to the world of Mangas, those Japanese comics that have conquered the whole world.

The second will introduce you to the world of Japanese and European culinary GIs.

Fourth reason. The practical implications of the four Study Questions are immense!

The Copyright Study Question (“AI and Copyright“) deals with one of today’s most controversial issues: the use of input protected by copyright to train AI systems, and the consequences of the illicit use of protected data: prohibition to exploit the output, prohibition to exploit the AI system, etc.?

The Trademark Study Question (“Exhaustion of trademark rights“) tackles an issue with considerable practical implications for trademark owners: trademark exhaustion, an area in which the lack of harmonization poses delicate practical difficulties.

The Patent Study Question, entitled “Compulsory Licensing“, will examine interests that may justify the grant of a compulsory license (overriding interests) as well as the conditions and characteristics related to compulsory licensing and, in particular, the procedural aspects relating to compulsory licenses.

The objective of the General Study Question (“Preliminary Injunctions: Requirements for compensating damage suffered by Defendant“) is to focus on the existence and nature of the plaintiff’s liability for compensating damages suffered by a defendant, in case a PI is granted but the claims are ultimately dismissed (liability regime).

Last not least: as every year, especially for you …

• The AIPPI café, an essential discussion forum at every congress.
• Standing Committee meetings (do not hesitate to participate, even if you are not yet a member or observer).
• The “one year in one hour” panel session, offering an overview of the year’s IP highlights.

Here’s what we’ve got in store you. A zen and exceptional programme in the land of the rising sun!