ECTA (formerly known as the European Communities Trade Mark Association) was established in 1980 and stands as one of the leading associations within the European Union dedicated to advancing the knowledge and professionalism of its members in the realm of Intellectual Property. With approximately 1,300 members from all EU Member States and beyond, ECTA's diverse membership includes leading IP professionals from private practice, industry, and academia.
Specialising in various facets of IP, ECTA is particularly active in areas such as trade marks, designs, geographical indications, copyright, anti-counterfeiting, international trade, data, artificial intelligence, the protection of IPRs on the internet and in relation to new technologies. ECTA has recently expanded its focus to also include the realm of patents.
As a trusted stakeholder, ECTA engages in regular collaborations with key institutions, including the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), European Commission, European Council, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).