Texas A&M Law co-organizes the 7th IPIRA Conference on IP Innovation

The 7th Intellectual Property and Innovation Researchers of Asia (IPIRA) Conference was held April 4-6 at Waseda University in Tokyo, welcoming global IP scholars, policymakers, and practitioners.

Coordinated by Irene Calboli, Regents Professor of Law and founder and director of the IPIRA Network, the three-day event served as a platform to engage in robust discussions and share cutting-edge insights on the evolving landscape of IP innovation throughout Asia and beyond.

This year's Conference was organized in cooperation with the organizers of the previous editions—International Islamic University Malaysia, Universitas Indonesia, Nanyang Technological University, Foreign Trade University, and the University of Geneva—and with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Key Themes: Asian Innovation, TRIPS@30, AI, and Sustainability

The conference opened with a set of keynote addresses, underscoring the historical moment and the evolving role of IP. Hasan Kleib, Deputy Director General of WIPO, reminded participants of the growing role of Asia and the Global South as innovation powerhouses. He also called on the academic community to consider how IP systems must evolve to address mounting global challenges, from digital disruptions to climate change and economic inequality.

Johanna Hill, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), emphasized the enduring connection between global trade and innovation, noting that well-designed, balanced IP frameworks are vital to enabling collaboration, attracting investment, and supporting inclusive growth.

Takuya Yasui, Deputy Director of the Japan Patent Office, and Shuichiro Kitamura, President of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, provided additional insights and offered regional and nuanced perspectives on IP policymaking.

The 42 parallel sessions of this year’s conference spanned across six sessions, each featuring seven thematic tracks. Together, they offered a deep dive into key issues addressing current challenges and shaping the future of IP. A major focus was the impact of artificial intelligence on IP frameworks, with scholars exploring questions of authorship, liability, algorithmic transparency, and the adequacy of existing legal doctrines in the face of rapid technological change. Sustainability emerged as another prominent theme, with sessions examining green trademarks, agricultural geographical indications, patent thickets, and the role of IP in advancing public health, environmental protection, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Several panels addressed the protection of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, including benefit-sharing frameworks, biopiracy, and developments under the new WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge. Copyright in the digital age was also widely discussed, with attention to fair use, platform liability, AI-generated content, and evolving forms of creativity across arts, sports, and social media.

Other sessions highlighted the commercialization of IP, valuation, and securitization of intangible assets, trade secrets, and regional strategies to support innovation. Scholars examined international trade agreements and national policies aimed at enhancing the role of IP in economic development. Enforcement and dispute resolution received considerable attention, particularly in the digital and cross-border context, with discussions on intermediary liability, customs enforcement, and alternative dispute resolution.

The interface between IP, data protection, and competition law also featured prominently, reflecting the growing importance of data governance, standardization, and fair access in the digital economy.

Plenary Roundtable: IP in a Turbulent World

The Conference also featured a plenary session titled “Intellectual Property in a Turbulent World: What Role for Academics and Institutions?,” chaired by Professor Masabumi Suzuki of Waseda University. The panel brought together distinguished voices from international organizations and academia. Together, the speaker reflected on the evolving responsibilities of academics and institutions in shaping IP systems that are more resilient, inclusive, and responsive to global challenges. From climate breakdown and AI governance to shifting trade paradigms and access to innovation, the discussion highlighted the critical need for legal scholarship and education to engage more deeply with real-world complexities. The session underscored the importance of interdisciplinary and transnational collaboration in preparing the next generation of IP thought leaders and practitioners.

IPIRA as a Community and Catalyst

IPIRA has grown significantly, but its founding mission remains unchanged: to provide a welcoming, inclusive space for IP researchers in Asia, as well as from other parts of the world, to share their work, receive feedback, and build lasting networks. Since its inception in 2019, IPIRA has grown into a truly transnational community, committed to amplifying diverse voices and strengthening the academic foundations of IP policy worldwide.

The 8th IPIRA Conference will be held in Singapore in 2026, hosted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).