From May 2 to 6, 2026, the 148th International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting concluded successfully at ExCeL London. According to official figures, this year's meeting attracted more than 9,600 registered participants from over 100 jurisdictions. More than 600 participants from China attended, together with 40 Chinese exhibitors and over 500 brand owners, reflecting the deepening participation of China's intellectual property community on the global stage. The event also brought together leading IP professionals from around the world to discuss frontier topics including artificial intelligence, brand globalization and regional IP strategies.

Watson & Band was represented by a delegation led by Senior Founding Partner Fu Qiangguo, together with Liu Yizhou, Secretary-General of the firm's Management Committee, Senior Partner Wu Yueqin, Dr. Xiao Hua, General Manager of the firm's IP agency company, and Deputy General Managers Zhang Liming and Xu Yingcong. At Booth 1430, the Watson & Band team held in-depth exchanges with IP professionals from around the world over several days.

Visitors to the booth discussed a wide range of topics, including the latest developments in the European Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court (UPC) system, trademark filing strategies for Chinese companies expanding overseas, evidence chain building in brand enforcement, and IP risk management in cross-border e-commerce. Drawing on its extensive experience in complex trademark procedures such as refusal reviews, oppositions and non-use cancellations, as well as practical work for clients in strategic emerging industries including intelligent manufacturing, new energy and biomedicine, the Watson & Band team shared insights combining a China perspective with an international outlook. A number of international law firm partners and in-house counsel expressed strong recognition of the firm's full-chain service capabilities and responsive working model, and discussed further cooperation after the meeting.

Active Participation in INTA's Data Committee and Sharing China's Latest Practice

Wu Yueqin, Senior Partner of Watson & Band and a member of the INTA Data Committee for the 2026-2027 term, took part in two key events during the Annual Meeting.

On the morning of May 5, Ms. Wu joined the panel discussion "A Global Perspective on Non-Personal Data Regulation". She introduced China's dual-track data governance model: maintaining a strong security baseline through the Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law and Personal Information Protection Law, while promoting the release of data value through the "Twenty Data Measures" and pilot programs for data intellectual property registration.

Ms. Wu also explained China's distinctive separation of rights in relation to data holding, data use and data operation. She noted that raw data itself does not constitute an intellectual property asset, but legally collected and anonymized data products may receive protection through trade secrets or copyright. She further shared practical compliance and monetization pathways for brand owners operating under data-driven business models, offering participants a China perspective that was both systematic and practical. Her remarks received positive responses from the moderator and fellow experts.

Looking Ahead to San Diego in 2027

The INTA Annual Meeting in London was not only a global gathering for IP professionals, but also an important platform for advancing cross-border brand protection and international IP cooperation. With more than three decades of professional experience and a global service network, Watson & Band will continue to provide Chinese companies expanding overseas with full-cycle IP services covering filing, portfolio strategy, enforcement and operation, while actively contributing to the development of a stronger global IP ecosystem.

The 2027 INTA Annual Meeting will be held in San Diego, United States. Watson & Band will exhibit again and looks forward to meeting IP colleagues from around the world to exchange ideas, promote protection and share opportunities for innovation.