AIPPI-US Division of AIPLA

AIPPI was founded in 1897, shortly following the signing of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property in 1883. Following the initiative of leading European legal scientists and practitioners, a founders' meeting was held in Brussels on May 8, 1897 and in October, 1897, the first Congress was convened in Vienna, with subsequent festivities in Budapest. Meetings, or Congresses, of the Association were held annually in the early stages, later alternating with "Reunions" until the beginning of the first World War caused an interruption in 1914. Following the end of World War I, the revival of the association took place in 1925 and the administrative center of AIPPI moved to Switzerland. As a consequence of the second World War, the activities of the association suffered a second interruption from 1938 to 1946.

 

The development of AIPPI to its present form has been a continuous one. Starting with an emphasis on Western Europe, it has become a truly international association, including North and South America, Eastern European countries, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

 

The major executive/administrative body of the international organization is the International Bureau comprised of a President, Vice President, Reporter General, Deputy Reporter Generals, Assistant Reporter Generals, and Treasurer General. The international organization is administered by the Secretary General and his/her staff.