2024 Honorary Advisors

Chair Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Director General Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)

Rowel Barba is the incumbent Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). Prior to his appointment in IPOPHL, he served as an Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) where he supervised several offices and attached agencies of the DTI such as the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), Legal Service (LS), the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), among others. Under DG Barba’s leadership, the IPOPHL bagged the Gold award and became an Island of Good Governance (IGG) by completing and passing all criteria of the Performance Governance System (PGS) Institutionalization Stage in 2024. His steadfast leadership is also known in the ASEAN and Asia Pacific regions for he served as the Chairperson of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) from 2021 to 2023 and currently, the APEC IP Experts Group. Barba was hailed as one of the 50 Most Influential People in IP by ManagingIP in 2023 and as a Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service (Intellectual Property Protection) by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in 2024.

Attorney. Rowel S. Barba     

Chair

Quality Brands Protection Committee of China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (QBPC)

CAEFI Vice Chair, QBPC Chair Vice President, Head of IP AMEA Region, ABB Group After worked in IP Dept of Huawei, and then built up and led IP team for Emerson Electric in China, Michael now is working in ABB, and leading IP in Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) Region of ABB. Meanwhile, Michael is leading global IP strategy for Business Area -Robotics &amp; Discrete Automation and global anti-counterfeit activities in ABB. With 24 years’ working as in-house IP professional, Michael has extensive experience and insights in management of IP, including patent, trademark and trade secret. Michael joined QBPC Leadership team as Vice Chair since 2017, and served as QBPC Chair since 2019 till now. Michael was also named by MIP as 50 most influential people in IP in 2020 and listed as a leading IP Strategist in 2023 IAM Strategy 300 rankings.

Mr Michael Ding

President

Turkish Patent and Trademark Office

Born in Eskişehir in 1980, M. Zeki Durak graduated from Akdeniz University, Department of Food Engineering in 2003.
 

During his undergraduate education, he completed a project supported by TÜBİTAK Scientist Training Group (BAYG) and was invited to Cornell University in the United States as a guest researcher for the continuation of his project work.
 
 

He completed his master’s and doctoral studies with a scholarship from Cornell University. After his doctoral education, he worked as a consultant in various companies in America.
 
 

In 2012, he was among the founders of Yıldız Technical University Department of Food Engineering. He received many national and international awards, including the “Award for the Academician Who Made the Most Projects in Total Budget and Number” among Yıldız Technical University academicians.
 
 

He has patents in the fields of food, biotechnology and nanotechnology, as well as many academic publications and studies in his fields of expertise.
 
 

Durak, who served as the Secretary General of Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency between 2020 and 2023, has been appointed as the President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office as of October 6, 2023.
 
 

Durak is married and has two children.

Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Durak

First Vice-President 

The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)

Lorenza Ferrari Hofer is a Partner in our Intellectual Property Group and co-heads our Life Sciences Group. She specializes in Dispute Resolution, intellectual property, unfair competition, data law and contract law. She has profound knowledge in respect of the development, manufacture, licensing and distribution of technology products, among others therapeutic, food products and automotive technologies. Also, she has broad experience in media, advertising, marketing and sponsoring matters. Her life sciences practice also includes regulatory matters and product liability defense. Lorenza Ferrari Hofer advises her clients on intellectual property related deals and transactions and represents them in legal proceedings in front of Swiss courts, arbitral tribunals and administrative authorities.

Ms Lorenza Ferrari Hofer

Senior Counsel; Chairman of the Court Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Former Non-official Member of the Executive Council, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Andrew Liao is a Senior Counsel. He has carried on an active legal practice as a barrister in Hong Kong since 1975, specializing in intellectual property in the fields of technology and innovation, brands and trade marks, cultural and creative industries including patents for inventions, designs, copyright, trade marks, trade names, passing off, trade secrets, confidential information, trade libel/injurious falsehood, copyright collective licensing, allied rights, pre-emptive remedies, and carrying on a general practice in other civil and commercial matters. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989, and was appointed Deputy High Court Judge in 1990, and Recorder of the High Court in 2000-2002. Apart from his professional legal practice, Andrew has continuously and actively participated in public service including those concerning intellectual property in Hong Kong. As a member of the Law Reform Commission and its Copyright Sub-Committee, he was actively and closely involved in the reform of the copyright law, leading to the enactment of Hong Kong’s first substantive Copyright Ordinance in 1997. He was the first Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal when it was established in 1997, and was Convenor of the Hong Kong Bar’s Task Force on Intellectual Property. In 2001, Andrew was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) by the HKSAR for his contribution to the reform of intellectual property laws in Hong Kong. He was Vice-Chairman of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Trading, Chairman of the Steering Committee on Review of Intellectual Property Issues in the Innovation and Technology Sector, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Review of the Patent System, and Member of the Advisory Committee on Promotion of Arbitration. Andrew has been actively promoting intellectual property, intellectual property trading, intellectual property arbitration and mediation, cultural and creative industries, innovation and technology in Hong Kong and the Mainland of China, and was the founder and organizer of the BIP Forum (Business of Intellectual Property Forum) as part of BODW (Business of Design Week) in Hong Kong from 2007 to 2011. He was formerly Adjunct Professor of the School of Law at the City University of Hong Kong. Andrew was formally a Non-Official Member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Over the years, while actively practicing at the Bar, Mr. Liao has also actively participated in public service, having been appointed to a large number of public offices and bodies performing different public functions. For his distinguished contributions to the public service, he was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) in 2008. In 2022, he was award the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) for his exemplary contributions to the public service, including the higher education sector, intellectual property, cultural and creative industries, as well as innovation technology development in Hong Kong. Andrew is currently carrying on his professional legal practice as Senior Counsel in dispute resolutions covering litigation and arbitration. He had served as Chairman of the Council, and is now serving as Chairman of the Court of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Dr. the Hon Andrew Liao, GBM, GBS, SC, JP

Licensing Executives Society International

Sonja London is General Counsel and Licensing Executive in TactoTek, world-leading innovator in the field of smart surface technologies and structural electronics. Her current role includes global responsibility of company’s IP, licensing and standardization strategies as well as overall legal and compliance matters. Before joining TactoTek, she worked with Nokia Patent Business for 14 years in various roles, in her latest position leading Nokia’s Consumer Electronics licensing; a global licensing program for connectivity and video codecs for major consumer electronics categories. She has been deeply involved in major licensing negotiations in Asia, Europe and US and developed over-arching strategic vision, execution and enforcement plans for Nokia patent licensing. Sonja has been deeply involved in licensing of various technologies (such as cellular, wifi, audio and video codec SEPs) for mobile and infrastructure products and consumer electronics. Last few years she has been closely working for technology and patent licensing in the automotive sector. Her experience also covers patent pools and joint licensing programs, business development as well as digitalizing and managing licensing business. Sonja is known to be an advocate for digitalization and efficiency of business processes. She has lead Nokia Patent business to be a global role model in using new strategic business support technologies such as AI, automation and business intelligence solutions. New technologies improved deal making process, management reporting and insight as well as enhanced automation in deal making process, royalty management and compliance. In addition to her other roles, Sonja is involved in technology and growth companies as board member, investor and advisor on patents, licensing business models and IP business. She serves in the board of Kesla Oyj, a forestry and material handling technology company, Berggren Oy, an IP powerhouse, Infine Oy, sustainability SaaS company and SolidComp Oy, an industrial digital twin company. Sonja is a popular speaker and trainer in Finland, Scandinavia and internationally, known for her in-depth yet practical and realistic views on patent licensing business, IP commercialization, royalty compliance and digitalization. Sonja is currently serving as the President of Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) and has earlier served as board member and treasurer of LESI and as President of the Licensing Executives Society Scandinavia. Sonja is passionate about great leadership, diversity and inclusion at work. Her latest and dearest pro-bono advocacy project has been co-founding the Women in Licensing Alliance for LES International, an international initiative aiming to visibly role model and support the inclusion of women in the licensing profession and leadership. Sonja holds a Master of Laws from University of Helsinki and Executive MBA from Aalto University. She is ranked in IAM Strategy 300 as one of the world top IP Strategists.

Ms Sonja London

Chairman

Indonesian Intellectual Property Attorneys Association

Chairman - Indonesian IP Attorneys Association (locally known as AKHKI (2020 – present)), Honorary Member of Supervisory Tribunal for IP Attorneys (locally Known as MPKKI (2024-2027)); Vice Chair - Indonesian IP Attorneys Association (2016 – 2020), Deputy Secretary General - Indonesian IP Attorneys Association, (2013 – 2016); Secretary General, Indonesia Mediator Association, (locally Known as AMINDO (2019 – present)); Secretary General, Centre for IP Mediation &amp; Arbitration, (locally Known as BAMHKI (2018- 2022)); Deputy Secretary, Centre for IP Mediation &amp; Arbitration, (2022 -present). He passed and completed with rank highly recommended future Leader – Education Program for High Level National Leader, (locally Known as PPSA-23), held by National Resilience Institute (locally Known as Lemhannas) Republic Indonesia 2021. Professional Trainers for corporate practices, education program for profession of advocates. Associates Profesor Lecturing in field business law and intellectual property for bachelor, master and doctoral degree faculty of law in several university in Indonesia. Expert member in field of private law and intellectual property for Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Expert witness and its opinion before district, commercial court, supreme court and arbitration center, Expert witness before national police and public prosecutor in intellectual property and corporate cases.

Dr Suyud Margono, SH., MHum., FCIArb

ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation

Mr. Xaysomphet Norasingh has been appointed as Director General of Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) since November 15, 2023 and concurrently as the Chairmanship of ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation (AWGIPC). Mr. Xaysomphet graduated a Bachelor’s Degree from Queensland University of Technology, Australia and pursued his Master Degree from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA.     Prior to the appointment as Director General of DIP, Mr. Xaysomphet previously served as Director General of Department of Trade Promotion from February 2018 to November 2023, where he was in charge of both international and domestic market trends and supervised local entrepreneurs on market access. He also supervised and facilitated entrepreneurs to promote and develop products for the domestic and export markets through domestic and international exhibitions and trade fairs.     Mr Xaysomphet also served as the Deputy Director General of the Economic Research Institute for Industry and Trade. At the Institute, he extended his research policy skills by attending research methodology workshops, and research forums and conducted joint papers with various professors and external research institutes to understand more about trade policy and the business environment in Laos. His research specialization is trade and SME policy which also focuses on product development, marketing strategy, business innovation strategy, business analysis and production process as well as global value chain.

Mr Xaysomphet Norasingh

Co-Chairwoman

Dr. Tamar Raz has nearly two decades of experience in technology transfer and an impressive track record of bringing medical innovations from the lab to the marketplace. Prior to joining Hadasit, she served as VP of Marketing and Strategy at Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University. Tamar was the founder and CEO of Allergene Ltd, an Israeli drug development start-up company. She received her MSc and PhD in cell biology from the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine.

Ms Tamar Raz

Etienne Sanz de Acedo joined INTA on July 1, 2013. As CEO, Mr. Sanz de Acedo works with the Board of Directors and Officers to recommend, formulate, and implement policies and programs for the Association; is responsible for the administrative operation of the Association’s offices and the supervision of all staff; and is responsible for the development and administration of the annual budget. Before joining INTA, Mr. Sanz de Acedo was Head of Communications and Member of the President’s Cabinet at the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the EU’s intellectual property agency, where he was responsible for strategic communications and the agency’s corporate image and identity. Before joining the EUIPO, he practiced as an attorney in Spain and taught law at the University of Alicante, Spain. Mr. Sanz de Acedo holds a law degree from the University of Alicante, an LLM in European Community Law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, and an executive MBA from Instituto de Empresa Business School in Madrid. A Spanish and French national, he speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Mr Etienne Sanz de Acedo

Director General & CEO 

Danish Patent and Trademark Office

Sune Stampe Sørensen is the Director General and CEO of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office under the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. He is also board member of the Nordic Patent Institute, board member of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences, board member of the Danish-Chinese Business Forum, member of the Management Board at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and member of the board of the Administrative Council in the European Patent Office (EPO). Previously, he has held various executive positions in the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, and at the Danish Ministry of Finance. Prior to this, he was Private Secretary to the Danish Prime Minister. Sune holds an M.A. in Political Science from University of Copenhagen and Certificat d’Etudes Politiques from Sciences Po in France.

Mr Sune Stampe Sørensen 

Asian Patent Attorneys Association

Hari Subramaniam is an Intellectual Property law attorney with over 43 years of experience. He is the Founding and Managing Partner of Subramaniam &amp; Associates, a leading IP boutique firm founded in 1998. In the course of his career, Mr. Subramaniam has filed, prosecuted, defended, opposed and/or enforced - directly or in a supervisory capacity - over 45,000 patent matters in India and abroad, relating to all areas of technology. He has been called upon several times as an expert witness before Joint Parliamentary Committees for the amendment of patent laws in India.  Mr. Subramaniam is currently the President of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) – the only Indian to hold the position. He has also been the longest serving Council Member from India in APAA, and has spearheaded the Patent Committee of the Indian Group on the APAA Standing Committee on four different occasions over 2 decades.  He has served as International Vice-President of APAA for several years, and was part of the Advisory Council of APAA International. In addition, he is part of the Workshop Committee of APAA International, and was co-Chair of the Organising Committee for the APAA Council Meetings in 2005 and 2018, attended by delegates from over 65 countries. He is also the only person to have been elected President of the APAA India Chapter twice. Mr. Subramaniam is regularly invited as faculty or speaker at several seminars and conferences, as well as patent awareness workshops conducted by the Government of India, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the American Bar Association, the Minneapolis Bar Association, the Indian Patent Office, patent offices and universities across the world, and international organisations such as APAA and the Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI). He has been on the Pharma and Biotech Committees of AIPPI for many years and has been invited a number of times as a speaker at AIPPI Pharma workshops. He has authored several papers relating to key aspects of intellectual property laws, as well as chapters on the Indian jurisdiction for leading global publications and books which are featured in the libraries of premier law colleges and Ivy League universities. He has been on the Board of Directors of several listed companies. Mr. Subramaniam has won several awards and is recognized as a top-tier patent attorney in India. He has been voted as a Leading Lawyer in Asia for more than 20 consecutive years, and is ranked in Chambers and Partners and Managing Intellectual Property as Senior Statesperson and Elite Lawyer respectively. He has also been ranked as IP Lawyer of the Year in India by various law magazines. He was featured in the AsiaLaw magazine cover story ‘50 IP Lawyers One Must Know in Asia and Asia-Pacific’. He handles the patent and trademark portfolios of several Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. He is currently a member of a Committee constituted by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi for framing of rules governing patent cases in India.

Mr Hari Subramaniam

Director General

Daren Tang, a national of Singapore, began his six-year mandate as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on October 1, 2020. Prior to his appointment as WIPO Director General, he served as Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), driving the strategic transformation of IPOS in support of Singapore’s innovation-based economy.  Between 1997 and 2012, before joining IPOS, Daren Tang held different legal positions within the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore.  In 2016, he received the Public Administration Medal from the Prime Minister's Office Singapore for outstanding efficiency and competence in the service of his country.  Daren Tang is a graduate of the National University of Singapore (Bachelor of Law, Honors) and the Georgetown University Law Center (Master of Laws, Distinction).  He also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is fluent in English and Chinese.