Brand & New INTA

This episode of Brand & New is the first in the “Women Leaders Series,” hosted in collaboration with The Women’s LeadershIP Initiative. INTA launched The Women’s LeadershIP Initiative to champion and advance women’s leadership in intellectual property. The Initiative also provides the Association with a vehicle for sustained programs to help women in the IP community advance their careers and achieve professional success.

The “Women Leaders Series” brings together women leaders in diverse roles and representing various organization types in the brands and IP ecosystem. They are at the forefront of the conversation around how the landscape for women leaders is being shaped today.

Our guest today is Malaika Underwood. Ms. Underwood is CEO of Sandlot Technology Incorporated. She also retired from the USA Baseball Women’s National Team last year with the record for longest-tenured player on a USA Baseball National Team, man or woman. She earned five Women’s Baseball World Cup medals, as well as two Women’s Baseball World Cup All-Tournament Team selections. In 2015, she was honored by USA Baseball as Sportswoman of the Year. Currently, Ms. Underwood is an Assistant Coach for the USA Baseball Women’s National Team.

Ms. Underwood has over 17 years of experience as a sports business executive. Before joining Sandlot, Ms. Underwood served as interim CEO at OneTeam Partners. OneTeam launched in 2019 as a joint venture between the NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association, and RedBird Capital to maximize the collective value of athletes’ rights through group licensing, marketing, media, and other ventures.

As interim CEO, Underwood managed the company through a major transition following the founding CEO’s departure and guided the company through the final months of the sale of Redbird Capital’s equity. That transaction valued OneTeam at US $1.8 billon.

Ms. Underwood also developed and executed the strategy for OneTeam’s college business, creating the largest group rights program in the world. Prior to assuming the interim CEO role, Ms. Underwood was Senior Vice President of Licensing where she provided oversight for the company’s growing consumer products business.

In 2021, Ms. Underwood was named one of Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. In the same year, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in NCAA v. Alston, paving the way for college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for the first time. Unlike professional athletes, amateurs cannot be paid for their contributions to a team. While this has not changed, the NCAA has been forced to change its rules regarding NIL rights of student athletes. This has been a game changer for sports. Ms. Underwood is not only an expert on the topic, she is also deeply passionate about it!
Resources:
Malaika Underwood – Athlete Bio (teamusa.com)Supreme Court Strikes NCAA’s Limits on Education-Related Benefits for Student Athletes (U.S. News, June 2021)Malaika Underwood: Writing Her Own Story (usabaseball.com, February 2021)Forty Under 40: Malaika Underwood (Sports Business Journal, June 2021)Three Questions for Malaika Underwood (INTA Bulletin, November 2023)The Women’s LeadershIP Initiative (inta.org)

The World Wide Web launched in the public domain on April 30, 1993, a little over 30 years ago. It was a major technological leap forward for humanity. It was a game changer, full of possibility… and uncertainty. 
 Experts are reminding us a lot lately that artificial intelligence (AI) has also been around for many decades. Nevertheless, much like the Internet in the 1990s, ChatGPT becoming publicly available in November 2022 represents another paradigm shift for humanity and its relationship with technology. One billion ChatGPT web visits took place following its launch. According to PwC, AI is predicted to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Yes, the stakes are high. Yes, it’s a game changer. Yes, it’s full of possibility… and uncertainty.
 Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a study predicting that AI will affect close to 40 percent of all jobs. For some, it will be beneficial, boosting their productivity. For almost everyone else, their jobs are at risk. This report was published as business and political leaders from around the world prepared to gather in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, where AI took center stage. Highlighting the apprehension around this “disruptive” technology, the response from governments has been surprisingly swift. A number of countries signed a declaration on the safe development of the technology at an AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK late last year. And we’re seeing increased regulation around the world, including in the European Union, China, and the U.S., meaning in the world’s largest economies. 
 As businesses across all sectors explore AI’s potential, they must also wade through its unknowns and navigate evolving regulation. In other words, they must innovate and use AI responsibly. 

Our guest today is Jon Iwata. He is an Executive Fellow at the Yale School of Management where he co-leads a program studying the leadership implications of stakeholder capitalism. He also directs the Data & Trust Alliance, a not-for-profit organization established in 2020 by CEOs of major companies including American Express, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, Pfizer, Starbucks, and Walmart. The Alliance develops and promotes the adoption of responsible data and AI practices. Among his various accolades and accomplishments, Mr. Iwata is also the co-inventor of a U.S. patent for a nanotechnology and process for atomic-scale semiconductors.

 Resources:
 About Jon Iwata The Data & Trust Alliance AI Will Transform the Global Economy. Let’s Make Sure It Benefits Humanity. (IMF, January 2024) AI - artificial intelligence - at Davos 2024: What to know (WEF, January 2024) AI and the Legal World: A Revolution Happening in Real Time (Brand & New, November 2023) Will AI Take Your Job? (INTA Daily News, May 2023) How AI Will Impact Trademarks (INTA Daily News, May 2023)

This is the second episode of the “Women Leaders Series,” a collaboration between Brand & New and The Women’s LeadershIP Initiative. The series celebrates the unique leadership qualities of women, including their collaborative and empathetic approach to success. It brings together women leaders in diverse roles and represents various organization types in the brands and IP ecosystem. These women are at the forefront of industry trends and the conversation around how the landscape for women leaders is being shaped today.
Today is International Women’s Day. Held annually on March 8, International Women's Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In recognition of this, today’s episode of Brand & New previews INTA’s soon-to-be-published “gender indicator study.” 

Last year, a diverse project team of INTA members developed a survey investigating how gender affects the experience of trademark practitioners in the workplace, with a focus on representation, career progression, and work-life integration. The survey was sent out to INTA members late last year and respondents, including both men and women, from more than 90 jurisdictions participated and shared their views. 

Given the global and diverse nature of our community, the research aims to uncover deep insight into the gender-based experiences of trademark practitioners around the world today, reveal the key indicators shaping those experiences and defining our workplace, and capture how IP professionals feel about their own experiences. While the survey suggests that progress is being made, there is still much to be done to truly improve the experiences of women in the trademark field.

Our guests are Rachel Armstrong, Shwetasree Majumder, and Muireann Bolger. Ms. Armstrong is a Partner at Gowling WLG and based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Rachel serves on the Women’s LeadershIP Initiative Project Team and on INTA’s Brands and Innovation Committee. Ms. Majumder is a Managing Partner of Fidus Law Chambers, based in Nodia, India. She serves on the INTA’s DEI Council and the Enforcement Committee. She is also a past board member. And, Ms. Bolger is Deputy Group Editor at World IP Review, based in London, England. She takes the lead on all DEI-related coverage for World IP Review and is a co-author of INTA’s gender indictor story.
 
Resources:


 About Rachel Armstrong About Shwetasree Majumder About Muireann Bolger International Women’s Day 2024 (internationalwomensday.com) The Women’s LeadershIP Initiative (inta.org) World IP Review’s Diversity Channel (worldipreview.com) Women Leaders Series: Advancing Athlete Rights (Brand & New, February 2024) Striving for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as an Outside IP Counsel (Brand & New, April 2022) Women’s Empowerment in Intellectual Property (Brand & New, March 2022)

If there is a concern that is almost never factored in by most intellectual property (IP) practitioners when managing their asset portfolios, it may well be what happens to those assets in outer space! 
However, as the scientific community continues to explore and study outer space, it's likely that practitioners may soon experience a certain sense of urgency, the question not being if but when some research or manufacturing activities will be outsourced to outer space or when space resources will be mined. This will be a major commercial shift away from Earth into a space economy, projected to grow to US $1 trillion by 2040. 
So, who will have the right to claim and profit from these resources and related IP rights? Will there be a new “IP Gold Rush,” where companies create rights as soon as they can? Many industries, such as space tourism and manufacturing, will be impacted. Think for a moment about the ownership of the rights to images produced by space tourists, or manufacturing that will be moving to a gravity free environment. Beyond these examples, the key issues of who owns what and who can profit from IP assets created off planet become increasingly important as we continue to explore and commercialize outer space. 
In this podcast, we'll be discussing the current state of the IP law in space, the need to act at the national and international levels to develop a clear legal framework and to be prepared for what the future may hold for IP in the evolving space economy. Our guests today, who have been actively involved in the INTA Project Team on IP in Space, are experts in this area.
Our first guest is Sheja Ehtesham, who is the Managing Partner at ALG India Law Offices LLP, an Intellectual Property firm in India. Ms. Ehtesham is ranked among the world’s leading trademark law practitioners. Her practice focuses on IP enforcement and prosecution strategies. She works with her clients to devise global brand filing strategies that align with their business requirements and advises clients in strategizing negotiations. She has also successfully represented several clients in domain name dispute proceedings. Ms. Ehtesham has been an active INTA member for nearly 15 years.
Our second guest is Clark Lackert, who is current Deputy General Counsel for the World Trade Centers Association. Prior to joining this association, Clark spent over 20 years as a partner in major international law firms, focused on trademark, copyright, domain name, licensing, and anticounterfeiting matters, with an expertise in the international area. Mr. Lackert is a domain name arbitrator for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and has been a consultant with the U.S. government on the implementation of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). He has lectured globally and is a prolific author.
Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark Association
Hosted by Audrey Dauvet - Contribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD Beats

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT INTA.ORG
To go further:
- Sheja Ehtesham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheja-ehtesham/
- Clark Lackert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarklackert/
Also of interest:
IP in Space, a Report from the IP in Space Project Team (INTA, December 2022)
Trademarks in outer space: supporting the off-world economy (WIPO, December 2021)
IP in Outer Space: The Next Frontier (INTA Bulletin, December 2021)
Intellectual Property Protection in Outer Space: Conflict in Theory and Application in Practi

Like most organizations, intellectual property offices (IPOs) have faced significant challenges in recent years. From the pandemic to financial market turmoil, through supply chain issues, to increased cyberthreats, IPOs have had to navigate these hurdles and more, stretching their budget, information technology, and organizational resources in unexpected ways. Yet, IP registrations have been soaring globally, and IPOs generally seem to have been riding those waves with success, often transforming challenges into opportunities to evolve and better meet the needs of creators, businesses, and the market.
Beyond their role as processors of IP applications and registrations or an inventory of registered assets, how do IPOs envision their mission in 2023.  What sort of initiatives do they carry out to ensure they stay in tune with innovators, businesses big and small, and the market at large? How much of a transformative force can they be for the IP world?
Our guest today is Hamano Koichi, the Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office (JPO). Appointed in July 2022, he manages JPO operations and oversees Japan's policy on patents, trademarks, and design rights. Prior to chairing JPO, Mr. Hamano has served in a wide range of senior roles at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), including as Director of the Finance Division, Business Environment Department; Counselor for Energy Policy; Executive Vice President and Advisor of Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC); and Director-General of the Regional Economic and Industrial Policy Group, among others.
Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark Association
Hosted by Audrey Dauvet - Contribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD Beats

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT INTA.ORG
To go further: https://www.meti.go.jp/english/aboutmeti/profiles/individual/hamano_koichi.html
Also of interest:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/introduction/message/august2022.html
https://sdgs.un.org/fr/goals
https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events/international-perspectives-intellectual-property-smalland-medium-sized-enterprises

When we think about IP systems, we often think of national or regional IP Offices (IPOs) and policies. Yet, IPOs heavily defer to, rely on, and follow the tracks of the World IP Organization, which remain the highest authority when it comes to developing balanced and effective IP systems supporting innovation and creativity. Cooperating closely with IPOs, over the last couple of years the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) has participated in the discussions and policymaking to address most of the recent and new challenges felt by IPOs – think pandemic, export control issues, supply chain disruption, and markets turmoil – and developed tools, programs, task forces, to support IPOs efforts and more importantly IP protection and innovation through these unprecedented times. How does WIPO envision its mission in 2023? What sort of initiatives does the organization carry out to ensure they stay in tune with innovators, businesses big and small, and the market at large? How much of a transformative force is WIPO for the IP world today?  


To discuss WIPO’s actions and priorities, our first guest is Marco Alemán, whose role is Assistant Director General IP and Innovation Ecosystems at WIPO, which he joined in 1999. During over 20 years at WIPO, Marco Alemán assumed several key roles including Director of the Patent Law Division. Prior to joining WIPO, Marco headed the Colombian Industrial Property Office. 


Our second guest is Lisa Jorgenson, who has been Deputy DG Patents & Tech at WIPO for 2 years. Over the past 30 years, Lisa has served in a variety of legal positions, including Executive Director of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and Group Vice President, Intellectual Property and Licensing, of STMicroelectronics, where she spent over 24 years.

Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark Association
Hosted by Audrey Dauvet - Contribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD Beats

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT INTA.ORG


To go further:
About Lisa Jorgenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jorgenson/
About Marco M. Alemán: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-m-alemán/

Also of interest:
https://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/frontier_technologies/news/2022/news_0001.html
https://www.who.int/news/item/10-11-2022-who--wipo--wto-to-hold-technical-symposium-on-response--preparedness-to-future-pandemics
https://www.wipo.int/en/green-technology-book/
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=3a24ca2a-7ba9-430c-a107-f3a91fe1cf50