The University of Alicante's Department of Commercial Law and Procedural Law successfully organized the "International Congress on Intellectual Property for Plant Innovation and Distinctive Quality Signs in Europe in 2023." Held on May 31 and June 1st at the San Vicente del Raspeig Campus in Alicante, the event brought together various stakeholders in the field, including institutions, researchers, associations, and law firms specializing in intellectual property.
Among the distinguished speakers, Montserrat García-Moncó Fuente, the interim Head of Legal & Governance Affairs Unit at the Community Plant Variety Office, delivered an informative presentation during Panel 1, focusing on the case-law of the Board of Appeal in relation to the protection of vegetal innovation.
Notable participants included the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (SPTO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Spanish Conference of Wine Regulatory Councils (CECRV), as well as breeders' and producers' associations.
The Congress witnessed a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in person or online. The agenda included insightful discussions and panels on crucial subjects such as plant innovation, sustainability, and the evolving challenges of plant variety protection law. Importantly, the event was open to the general public, fostering an inclusive platform for knowledge sharing and meaningful exchanges.