AIPPI 2016: Milan congress kicks off in style

A pianist on wheels, musicians suspended from the ceiling and Francis Gurry on the catwalk were some of the highlights as the 2016 AIPPI World Congress began in typical Milanese style last night.

With attendees sitting around a catwalk-like stage, AIPPI was keen to celebrate Italian culture and innovation in what is the first congress here since Venice in 1960.

Leonardo da Vinci, Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe Verdi, Michelangelo and Galileo were just some of the names emblazoned on the big screen behind the stage, reminding any non-Italians of the range and richness of achievements from Italian shores.

Famous quotes had been picked as well, including Verdi’s “you may have the universe if I may have Italy”, and da Vinci’s “where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art”.

Musicians hanging from the ceiling and stylish dancers then entertained guests as a pianist on wheels travelled gracefully up and down the catwalk. It was all played out in front of a montage on the big screen, which included impressive shots of the Duomo, Milan’s famous cathedral.

Earlier on, following a brief talk by AIPPI officials including president Felipe Claro, the head of the World Intellectual Property Organization Gurry addressed guests from the catwalk.

He said IP has become a “victim of its own success”, citing the large volume of worldwide registrations, including 5.3 million trademarks.

Gurry explained that IP faces a number of major challenges including providing coherence in a “multi-speed, multi-layered” world where there are many agendas at different levels, and communication—IP is abstract and “difficult to communicate”.

To conclude the welcoming proceedings, guests moved on to sample the best of Italy’s food, from north to south, east to west. The pizza was excellent, the pasta was perfect and the gelato was simply divine.

The 2016 AIPPI World Congress runs until September 20.