Kaj L. Henriksen (DK)   2002-2004

ECTA provides a European forum for information and debate about Community Trade Marks, Community Designs and related issues. This is primarily obtained through the annual conference, the monthly newsletters and the frequent publication of booklets as well as the network consisting of practitioners from all over the world. ECTA plays an important part in the EU by actively influencing practice and new law. ECTA has made a difference during its 25 years of existence - thanks to the visionary " founding fathers" and the continuing support of the members.

During my Presidency we redesigned the ECTA business paper, publications etc. and we hosted an ECTA booth both at the INTA 2003 annual conference in

Amsterdam and at the EU Trade Mark and Design Forum in Budapest on October 13 and 14, 2003 both of which were extremely successful.

We finally succeeded to employ a Legal Coordinator whose professional skills and organizing abilities have already been of great advantage to both management and members. One of the immediate inventions was the electronically distributed newsletter.

Last but not least ECTA welcomed the new EU member states and extended the ECTA Council inviting representatives from the new member states to become Council members.

The pending case about the origin of Santa Claus culminated at the Madeira conference 2004 where the proceedings were stayed. However, being a Dane I still claim the Finnish Santa Claus to be counterfeit and the burden of proof has shifted to the current President Max Oker-Blom!