INTA’s leader on D&I, Dubai and the EUIPO top job

At the opening ceremonies of the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2023 in Singapore, INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo spoke about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to the association and observed that “we embrace [it] every single day in every initiative that INTA is taking.”

With that in mind, it was striking to hear him announce in the same speech that INTA will be taking its annual meeting in 2026 to Dubai, a place in which homosexuality is illegal, and which, until 2020, banned Israeli citizens from entering.

Sanz de Acedo pushes back strongly against the suggestion that there is a conflict in these positions. “First, we take DEI very, very seriously. And you've seen all kinds of initiatives that we have taken—probably more than any other organisation in the field,” he says.

“Going to Dubai doesn't go against that commitment. In fact, first, in deciding to go to Dubai, we made sure to have all assurances from the Dubai authorities that there would be absolutely no issue. Prior to that, we were surveying the local members, going on-site, checking absolutely everything.

“One thing is what the law is telling you, and another thing is what is really happening and how it's being enforced…I can tell you in Dubai, there will be absolutely no problem.”

He notes that Singapore had similar laws (sex between men was only legalised in 2022) but “no one has questioned us being in Singapore”.

That said, Sanz de Acedo mentions that an informal consultation was undertaken before committing to the location.

“We did that with our Jewish community. We did that with the LGBTQ+ community. We talked informally with the co-chairs of the DEI Council, to just try to make sure everybody would be comfortable.”

The feedback was positive, and Sanz de Acedo notes that “in signing the letter of intent with the Dubai authorities, we made a clear point about how important that was to us. And we got the official confirmation and the personal confirmation from the highest authorities, that there would be absolutely no problem.”

‘I don’t want a single member to feel uncomfortable’

Is there a danger then that a major international event like the INTA Annual Meeting is used to wash Dubai’s reputation, that the face it presents to the world is different from the reality for people living there?

“I think that's true for other parts of the world, and other countries and other cities in the Middle East. It's definitely not true for Dubai,” he says. “I've been to Dubai, myself, four or five times now. And I pay attention to these kinds of things because they're really important to me. I don't want a single member to feel uncomfortable.”

So what, then, is the positive case for taking the annual meeting to Dubai? De Acedo says: “First, because we're committed to being a global IP association. And if you want to be global, you need to go to all parts of the world.

“Number two, I think, Dubai is a city that is very similar to Singapore, it's a very modern city that is projected into the future, it's a city that has totally transformed itself.”

It also gives an opportunity for members to go to the Middle East, perhaps for the first time, he notes.  “It will be safe, it will be fun, it will be nice and it will be professional,” he says.

Europe bound?

It is no secret that Sanz de Acedo is one of three candidates for the post of executive director at the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), approached to apply and then endorsed by the French government for the role. The outcome of the recruitment process is expected to be announced in June.

He acknowledges that the role is appealing—before joining INTA, he was head of communications and a member of the president’s cabinet at the office—saying that “somewhere in my heart, there is something that tells me this is a place you belong”.

As the only external candidate for the role, he feels that this gives him a point of difference, “but ultimately, it's the decision of the member states on one side, and then really the council in Brussels. So to me, what’s really important is to have a very transparent process, where the procedures are strictly followed, so that all candidates are being given equal chances.”

He sees a change at the top as a chance for the office to “turn the page” and “really start looking to the future.”

There are challenges within the EU when it comes to IP, Sanz de Acedo says, and opportunities to enhance it, “and that needs to be done with the IP offices of the member states, with institutions, and always, serving businesses, users, and protecting consumers.”

Sanz de Acedo is keen to underline that his interest in the EUIPO role doesn’t mean he’s looking for an exit from INTA come what may.

“If it happens, fine” but if not, “I love my job. This is a great organisation, with incredible staff, and incredible members. We're like a big family.”