Like many of you, I've just returned from the International Trademark Association (INTA) annual meeting in San Diego. 

It's an amazing meeting, with about 8000 registrants, plus many more who appear for specific events without attending the whole meeting.  There's more going on from May 14 through May 19 than one can absorb, so selective focus is the only way to manage.

My focus for the meeting was divided into three areas.

Part of my focus was on the upcoming Trademarks in Cyberspace Forum 2005 in Vancover, Canada, on September 12 and 13, 2005.  My role will be to present an update on recent cases involving trademarks, copyright and the Internet.

As a member of INTA's Panel of Neutrals, I also focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution issues, attending an all day mediation workshop, the ADR committee meeting, and the Panel of Neutral meeting, featuring a most impressive presentation by Michael Leathes of British American Tobacco.

Finally, there was the chance to meet and greet new and old friends at numerous receptions.  It was a pleasure to see many of my former students at the John Marshall Law School reception, and to spend time with friends and colleagues from around the world (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, Hong Kong, and Australia, to list the home state of a few) and from many of the leading brand owners in the world, such as Altria, Boeing, Frito-Lay, General Electric, MasterCard, Microsoft, Pepsico, Sun Microsystems, Tyco and many others.

It's been nine years since I was last in San Diego, and I was much impressed by the changes.  I particularly enjoyed Balboa Park, the Hotel Del Coronado and the fine restaurants Aqua Blu and Chive.

Next year, Toronto.