Attending 2023 INTA in Singapore

The International Trademark Association Annual Meeting (INTA) is a grand meeting for all trademark practitioners, with over 8,000 to 10,000 participants yearly. This year INTA was held in Singapore on May 16, 2023.

I have participated in this event every year since 2014 INTA in Hong Kong, San Diego in 2015, Orlando in 2016, Barcelona in 2017, Seattle in 2018, and Boston in 2019. It has been stagnant for three years since the outbreak of the epidemic at the end of 2019.

It was the first time I participated in the INTA Annual Meeting after the epidemic and the first time I participated in the INTA Annual Meeting since my new firm was established last year, which is of great significance.

Although the schedule of participating in the Annual Meeting has not changed much from the past, which included countless meetings and receptions with trademark attorneys from various countries, the mood seems to be different. In the past, due to the different levels of Attorney’s fees in a large firm, it was often necessary to target the top few largest firms in each country when making an appointment. It was working during the meeting. I don't have such concerns now while I start my own business. Besides looking at the professional fields of each agent, only our personalities clicked enough. It feels like making friends! It is so exciting to know many new trademark lawyers or agents worldwide in INTA this year.

Of course, I also met some old friends again. Some of these trademark lawyers or agents worldwide have known each other for more than ten years. They still gave me full support after I left Formosa Transnational to start my own business. Some agents, who had the same experience as me and also started a business afterward, provided much advice about their entrepreneurial experience.

There are so many friends worldwide still willing to support me after so many years of acquaintance, after three years of the epidemic, and after I no longer enjoy the halo of the large law firm. I never thought I would gain such fruits from attending INTA Annual Meetings. I was deeply moved by these old friends.