Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-29

Vice President Nixon and Com
merce Secretary Weeks were
among Government officials who
last night helped to open the
first meeting in the United
States of a unique but little
known group which has earned
itself the nickname. THE Bust
nessman's U. N"
The successes of the organiza-
ton at the worlds conference
tables since 1883 have sometimes
been described as fair lessons
for the United Nations ITSELF"
It's the International Associa-
ton for the Protection of Indus
trial Property. It's job is to pro-
tect patents, trademarks, service
marks and other industrial rights
throughout the world through
treaty agreements.
Since its founding in Paris Isl
years ago. the association has
worked successfully with So ma
Itions to reach international &C
cord on establishing a properties
code.
1000 Delegates Attending
I'VE have succeeded in large |
measure IN establishing an inter-
national regime of order, justice
and law in the interest of manu-
facturers and consumers alike,
DR.. Stephen P. Ladas, a member
of the executive committee said.
Secretary Weeks, who opened
the organizations five-day 9th |
Biennial Congress at the Shera-
ton-Park Hotel. described the
groups successes as "a very in
teresting study in international
cooperation +" He was
Joined by Mr.. Nixon in welcom-
ing 1000 delegates from A coun-
tries to the organizations first
meeting in the United States.
The long history of agreement
among the many association
members was hailed by Secretary
Weeks as a demonstration of the
earnest desire on the part of
many nations to effect, as far as
possible, a reconciliation Of phil
osophical and legal differences
which are bound to exist in
case where so many countries are
involved in a single effort"
The organization traditionally
works with little fanfare. I'VE
think the job is better done
across conference tables where
difference can be ironed out with
a minimum of loud shouting"
one delegate said.
Revisions Are Proposed
The 1000 delegates here in
clude patent attorneys, scholars,
inventors, Government officials
and industrial leaders. Their
main concern through Saturday
will be the current patent and
trademark problems affecting
world industry. and proposals for
revising the General Convention
for the Protection of Industrial
Property. which was signed in {
Paris the year the association
was founded.
Some 400 American firms are
affiliated with the international ,
group and contribute to its finan-
cial support. The American (.
group, which will act as host
organization during the congress ,
here. is known as the Interna- ,
tional Patent and Trademark :
Association. Beverly w. Patti
shall of Chicago is its president. 3
The United States first ratified /
the association treaty in 1887 and I
approved al, subsequent revisions {
which were made to keep the
agreement up-to-date with the
changing times. Should pro-
Dosals for treaty revisions be c
made at this congress, they will \
be presented at a conference In !
Lisbon next year.
Sessions Start Today
Present last night were Dis c
,rict Commissioner David B. c
Sarrick and Roy c. Ingersoll, c
industrialist and pres c
dent Of the international group.
The business sessions. which 6
we're to get underway today at
The hotel, will be conducted in q
French. German and /
Spanish, instantly translated e