'She has fused her interests, career and volunteer work to create truly positive change in the area of indigenous rights.'
Davies Collison Cave (DCC) congratulate Principal Marion Heathcote for receiving the International Trademark Association's (INTA) 2019 President's Award on Tuesday, 19 November 2019. The prestigious award acknowledges Marion's profound achievements and ongoing dedication in championing trade mark rights in Australia and overseas.
Marion has been a volunteer with INTA for nearly twenty years. Over the course of her involvement with the global association, Marion has served on various committees, contributing to INTA's advocacy, educational programs, and publications. She served on the Board of Directors from 2005 to 2008, and has been a member of the Asia-Pacific Global Advisory Council for the past five years, and more recently served as the inaugural chair of the Indigenous Rights Committee from 2016 to 2018.
During her tenure as chair, the Committee's helped INTA provide pro bono assistance to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Traditional Knowledge Division for capacity-building workshops held in Iqualit (Canada), Laos, the Philippines and Western Samoa to guide indigenous peoples and local communities in understanding intellectual property (IP), and more specifically, how to use IP tools, particularly trade marks. She also represented INTA in WIPO's recent project-based training and mentoring program on IP for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
INTA President David Lossignol says:
'There is no doubt Ms. Heathcote's passion for her work and her contributions to INTA over the years, especially in the area of indigenous rights, have a profound influence on the Association and on the global trademark landscape ... She has fused her interests, career and volunteer work to create truly positive change in the area of indigenous rights.'
On commenting on the award, Marion Heathcote says:
'In a volunteer organisation such as INTA, where many give generously of their time and experience and all work is ultimately collaborative, to be singled out is extremely humbling. To me this is a recognition of not just of my efforts but also the contributions made by so many others, including those who have guided me, encouraged me, supported me, and worked alongside me over many years.'
Marion is a Sydney-based trade mark attorney whose major area of practice is strategically advising on international trade mark portfolio management and protection, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. She also has expertise in geographical indicator matters.
INTA's membership includes more than 7,200 trade mark owners, professionals and academics for 187 countries dedicated to supporting trade marks and related IP to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation. For the full INTA press release, please read here.
Pictured above are (L to R), President's Award winner Marion Heathcote, INTA President David Lossignol, President's Award winner Lara Kayode (O. Kayode & Co., Lagos, Nigeria), and INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. The awards were announced at INTA's 2019 Leadership Meeting, in Austin, Texas on 19th November.
