We interview Dr Emilio Berkenwald, Partner at BERKEN IP and FICPI member. He shares his experiences of FICPI and why the firm chose to be a sponsor.
“What we value most about FICPI is that it brings together independent IP attorneys in private practice who share a commitment to supporting and advocating for the profession.”
“As a member, I particularly value the opportunity to learn from my peers and to see how similar matters can be approached and handled differently across jurisdictions.”
Please introduce us to BERKEN IP and tell us more about the practice
BERKEN IP is an intellectual property law firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a strong focus on patents, innovation, and business. We collaborate with colleagues around the globe and work closely with R&D-driven organisations, ranging from biotech start-ups and research institutes to multinational companies, to protect and strategically manage patents, designs, and trade marks across Argentina and Latin America. Our expertise lies particularly in life sciences, chemistry, and materials science.
We aim to maintain a practice that is aligned with international standards and best practices in IP, while bringing to the table our in-depth knowledge and extensive experience with the Argentine and Latin American IP systems.
What opportunities or challenges do you see affecting IP attorneys and the IP field in Argentina?
The fact that Argentina is one of the few notable countries that has yet to accede to the PCT remains a practical challenge. Applicants should be aware that if consideration of Argentina is deferred until close to the 30-month deadline under the PCT, it may already be too late to file locally, particularly once the international application has been published, as it will constitute prior art and jeopardise patentability.
On the positive side, Argentina is taking concrete steps towards joining the international filing system, with the matter currently under consideration in the Congress.
In addition, several recent developments in both the patent and trade mark fields seek to strengthen the IP system and provide greater clarity and predictability for rights holders and applicants.
What prompted you to become a FICPI sponsor?
We have been engaged members of FICPI for many years, and becoming a sponsor was a natural progression. It provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the association and reaffirm our ongoing support for its goals and mission.
What we value most about FICPI is that it brings together independent IP attorneys in private practice who share a commitment to supporting and advocating for the profession. The association fosters a global network of practitioners with shared interests and concerns in the IP arena, and maintaining strong connections within this community is of great importance to us.
We also believe it is very important to learn from our peers by exchanging experiences, perspectives and best practices with colleagues facing similar professional challenges in different jurisdictions. FICPI provides a unique forum for this kind of exchange, allowing us not only to share our own experience but also to benefit from the knowledge and insights of practitioners from around the world.
What benefits have you gained from being a FICPI member?
I have been a member of FICPI for several years and currently participate in CET 5, FICPI’s Study and Work Group on Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals.
What I especially appreciate about FICPI is its strong commitment to high-quality education and training, together with its clear focus on supporting private practitioners and the day-to-day realities of running an IP law firm.
I particularly value the opportunity to learn from my peers and to see how similar matters can be approached and handled differently across jurisdictions. That exchange of perspectives is extremely valuable, as it broadens our understanding of IP practice beyond our own legal systems and often provides new ways of thinking about the challenges we face in our daily work.
Being part of FICPI has been very enriching for me, both professionally and personally. It has given me the chance to build genuine relationships with colleagues from around the world, and I truly value the sense of community and connection that comes with being part of this network.
Thank you Emilio! We look forward to seeing you, Managing Partner Alicia Alvarez-Berkenwald and Partner Lucia Scarpati at the FICPI Open Forum in Budapest (16-19 September 2026).
To find out more, please visit BERKEN IP’s website: www.berkenip.com