Moscow event explores innovation in IP

13 March 2018

Gowling WLG was pleased to co-host the International Trademark Association's (INTA) pre-annual meeting reception and educational session in Moscow on Feb. 28. Innovation and change in the field of intellectual property (IP) were the focus of this year's roundtable event.

Brand owners, legal practitioners and academics gathered for a lively discussion on the topic of "how innovation changes the IP sphere." This year, the event was jointly organized by the American Chamber of Commerce and Gowling WLG.

"Innovation and intellectual property go hand in hand, and one does not exist without the other," said David Aylen, managing partner of Gowling WLG's Moscow office. "Our job as intellectual property lawyers is to protect the innovative ideas of our clients. That's why it's very important for us as legal service providers to stay on top of innovative trends and adapt to shifts in both servicing the client and responding to new challenges."

Aylen moderated the roundtable discussion along with Alexis Rodzianko, president & CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. The event also included special guest Saule Tlevlesova, president of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO). At the panel table were:

  • Milesh Gordhandas, representative of INTA's European office
  • Sergey Levin, trademark counsel for Coca-Cola in Russia
  • Maria Lukina, head of the legal department at Mary Kay Russia
  • Yulia Yarnykh, trademark practitioner at Gowling WLG in Moscow

"The event was a great success and has really become our signature IP event in the region," added Aylen. "The audience was very active during the question-and-answer period, and many stayed for hours afterward to socialize and continue discussing the topic."

Learn more about our in-depth IP capabilities in Russia.

Gathered after the Moscow panel discussion are (left to right): Maria Lukina, Alexis Rodzianko, David Aylen, Milesh Gordhandas, Yulia Yarnykh and Sergey Levin.