This month, the International Trademark Association will host its Trademark Administrators and Practitioners Meeting (TMAP) outside of the United States for the first time.

What: For the first time the International Trademark Association (INTA) will present its Trademark Administrators and Practitioners (TMAP) Meeting outside the United States. This highly popular event will take place at the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) in Alicante, Spain. TMAP is designed to provide registrants with the latest practice and industry tips for managing global trademark portfolios, and attracts both trademark administrators and practitioners from all over the world for two days of customized educational programming and networking.

Who: INTA is the global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce. Members include more than 6,500 trademark owners, professionals and academics from more than 190 countries, who benefit from the Association’s global trademark resources, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Brussels, Shanghai and Washington, D.C., and representatives in Geneva and New Delhi.

Why: Trademark administrators play a crucial role in the management of trademark portfolios and in the protection of brands globally. This year’s educational program covers an array of topics, pertinent to both trademark administrators and practitioners, including the latest legislative developments on trademark law in Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, and the United States; litigation and enforcement strategies in Europe, global clearance and filing tips; and the ever-evolving virtual world of social media and domain names.

This meeting takes place during a pivotal time for the European Trademark Reform, the outcomes of which will significantly impact all brand owners and law firms that conduct business in the European market. In June 2015, the Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee approved a comprise agreement on the European Trademark Reform. Unless there are further delays, it is estimated that the implementation of the new rules will begin in early 2016.

Who is attending? Over 230 trademark administrators, young and international IP practitioners from around the world have already registered. Special guest speakers include Christian Archambeau (OHIM Vice President—Spain), Enrique García-Chamón (Magistrate, President of the Spanish Community Trademark Court—Spain) and Susana Fernández Martín (IP Director, INDITEX—Spain).

When: October 13-15, 2015

Where: Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), Alicante, Spain