Dear ATRIP Members, Colleagues, and Friends,

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It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the ATRIP 44th Congress, taking place at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The theme of this year’s Congress is Intellectual Property and Politics: From Power Relations to Realpolitik.

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Intellectual Property (IP) laws have never existed in isolation; they are continuously shaped by political forces. Today, with rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing debates on technology governance, the interrelation between IP law and politics is more visible and more contested than ever.

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Politics is a complex and sometimes ambiguous concept, encompassing decision-making within groups and the relationships it creates. It operates across a wide range of settings, from organizational to national and international institutions, and it spans broad notions, from power dynamics to ideological frameworks.

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Given the central role that politics plays in shaping IP law, this year’s ATRIP Congress will explore this multifaceted theme and foster open and sincere academic engagement. Our distinguished speakers will address both theoretical and practical aspects of the nexus between IP law and various notions of politics, such as political economy, geopolitical relations, ideology-driven movements, legal realism, and even our own academic world.

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Building on the success of the Annual Congress Report project initiated last year, we will continue this new tradition. Once again, the main ideas and arguments presented by participants will be summarized by a team of rapporteurs.

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I greatly look forward to vibrant discussions, warm and friendly social gatherings, and collaborations that define ATRIP’s exceptional role in the global IP academic community.

 

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Sincerely yours,

Orit Fischman-Afori, ATRIP President