September 2025 — From 13 to 16 September, over 2,000 Intellectual Property professionals from across the globe converged in Yokohama, Japan, for the 2025 AIPPI World Congress. Hosted at the Pacifico Yokohama, this year’s Congress marked one of the largest gatherings in AIPPI’s history, featuring an unprecedented number of judges and in-house experts participating in the program.
KASS International was honored to be represented by three of our distinguished delegates: our Business Manager, Alvin Boey, Country Manager, Maria Carola Debora “Carla” Monintja, and Business Development Manager, Danny Ching. Their presence affirmed KASS’s commitment not just to Southeast Asia, but to engaging in global IP thought leadership at the highest level.
The Pulse of AIPPI 2025
This year’s Congress featured a rich agenda of plenaries, panel sessions, roundtables (AIPPI cafés), and networking events all built around the 2024–2025 Study Questions on pressing topics like:
– Compulsory licensing under patent law
– Exhaustion of trademark rights
– AI & copyright
– Preliminary injunctions and the compensation regime for defendants
Several sessions tackled hot-button issues such as AI’s intersection with copyright, divisional patent strategies, the evolving jurisprudence around UPC rulings, and new pressures in trademark law such as counterfeiting and influencer-related risks. One of the highlights was the significant participation of judges from the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and top-tier courts, adding gravitas and deep legal insight to the debates.
In addition to the legal work, delegates had cultural and networking opportunities for instance, special lunch sessions exploring manga and GI (geographical indication) cuisine, and an elegant gala dinner to wrap up the Congress. Through this global forum, KASS had the chance to both share regional perspectives and absorb leading practices and insights from across continents.
Insights for Practice and Beyond
As Alvin, Carla, and Danny return from Yokohama, they bring back not just knowledge but actionable insights. For KASS, the Congress serves as a springboard for:
- Knowledge-sharing through internal briefings, client updates, and publications highlighting key resolutions and debates.
- Regional foresight, analysing how global harmonisation trends may affect ASEAN businesses and IP enforcement.
- Strengthening alliances with international firms and institutions, fostering opportunities for collaboration and referrals.
- Thought leadership, contributing ASEAN perspectives to global IP journals and discussions.
Why It Matters for IP Practitioners
For practitioners, AIPPI is more than a meeting of minds—it is a barometer of where global IP is heading. The key debates in Yokohama reflect the pressures that will soon confront practitioners everywhere: how courts will address AI-generated works, how far trademark rights should extend, and how companies can adapt to cross-border enforcement realities.
By being part of these conversations, KASS ensures that our clients—and our peers—are not only informed but also strategically positioned to thrive.
Conclusion: A Bridge Between Regions and the World
KASS’s presence at AIPPI 2025 underscored a simple but powerful truth: Southeast Asia must have a voice in the evolving global IP landscape. By engaging in discussions, contributing regional perspectives, and building meaningful connections, we reaffirmed our role as a bridge between ASEAN innovation and international best practices.
As we translate these global insights into practical strategies for our clients, our mission remains constant: to protect ideas, empower businesses, and drive growth across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Strengthening Regional and International Ties
Following the Congress, the KASS team also spent three fruitful days visiting our Japanese associates in Tokyo. These meetings provided an excellent opportunity to further deepen partnerships, exchange knowledge on local practices, and explore new ways to support clients across both ASEAN and Japan. This visit underscored our belief that strong regional and international collaborations are essential to delivering world-class IP services.