The Seminar on Intellectual Property in the Americas: Free Trade Agreements, Current Issues and Future of IP, took place on April 6-8, 2008 in Mexico City. Over 400 attendees from most parts of the world attended to a magnificent event and venue. Over 50 highly qualified speakers addressed the most relevant issues affecting IP in the Americas, principally under the scope of the existing free trade agreements which have shaped the structure of IP in the region (final programme available here). All the sessions were almost full, which proved the relevancy of the scientific programme.

The opening ceremony was one of the highlights, where not only senior officials of each association delighted the audience with opening remarks but also the Head of the Mexican Institute for Industrial Property and candidate for WIPO's Director General, Jorge Amigo addressed the audience.

At the social events, the participants experienced the warmth of the Mexican people and the excitement of Mexico City. During the opening cocktail we had a flavour of Mexican folklore with Mexican's ancient civilizations dances and costumes. The next evening, the Mexican IP firms hosted an event in Hacienda los Morales, were Tequilas, Mariachis and all types of games worked as a magnet to keep everyone awake. The closing dinner was held at the Ex Convento San Hipolito, were the participants dined and danced in a colonial building which was the perfect ending for a perfect event.

That is why Mexico was during this event the navel of IP.