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ECTA Annual Conference in Berlin

Bears on the loose: working together for strong IP rights

"Conferences like these are worth their weight in gold," said DPMA President Eva Schewior on the occasion of the opening of the 43rd ECTA Annual Conference in Berlin. "They provide opportunity for something that is often neglected in the age of digitisation: the valuable personal exchange of views and opinions."

Originally, ECTA stood for "European Communities Trade Mark Association". Today, the association wants to unite everyone who works in the field of IP rights, with a special focus on trade marks, industrial designs, geographical indications and copyright.

"Digitisation is permeating all areas of life and artificial intelligence is developing at lightning speed," Eva Schewior said. "As a consequence, the job and duties of those working in the field of IP are becoming more and more complex. It is thus all the more important that there are organisations like yours."

ECTA was founded in 1980 and has more than 1,300 members from all EU member states as well as associated members from more than 50 other countries worldwide. It has its office in Brussels, and, as an NGO, maintains close relations to EUIPO and WIPO, is active in the legislative process and advocates for strong and effective trade mark and design protection.

IP bears in Berlin

ECTA holds workshops, round tables and conventions. The 43rd annual conference took place from 18 to 21 June 2025 in Berlin – inspired by the city’s heraldic animal, the motto was "Bears on the loose".

In her welcome speech, Eva Schewior emphasised the close connection between Berlin and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, which was founded there in 1877 and had its office in the city until 1945, when it moved to Munich. "A small but important sub-office of the DPMA is still located in Berlin," Schewior pointed out. "Its main duty is to strengthen IP awareness in Germany. This task was assigned to us by law three years ago. We take this duty very seriously, also in view of the increasingly bold cases of trade mark and product piracy."

ECTA wants to offer a platform for the exchange and distribution of IP knowledge. The association brings together lawyers and other professionals from the field of intellectual property. It is not a lobbying organisation, but describes itself as representing the common opinion of the European intellectual property law community. Over the years, ECTA has established itself as the go-to expert body for the EU and national decision-makers.

In her short speech, Schewior highlighted how ECTA offers professionals from the field of IP orientation and knowledge transfer. It was very important for the German Patent and Trade Mark Office to contribute to the harmonisation of the IP system and its IP rights on an international level, Schewior said. "Let us work together to preserve strong IP rights and thus contribute to prosperity in Europe!"

Picture: ECTA

Last updated: 11 July 2025