Lodz is an important centre of exhibition services. Here, in 1987, International Fair of Garments, Textiles, Knitwear and Leather Goods INTERFASHION - a comprehensive presentation of Polish textile industry - took place. The success of this enterprise began a new stage in economic development of a town. Lodz International Fair Ltd came into being in December 1989. First its task was to organise INTERFASHION. The dynamic company soon took up the realisation of new fair events. Since that time LIF specialises in organising domestic and international trade fairs and exhibitions. It creates opportunities to promote many lines of economic life. The calendar of events has an open character, new subjects are systematically taken up. The fairs are accompanied by symposiums, seminars and conferences. The best products and technological solutions get the awards at the contests. Preparation and realisation of certain projects are in the hands of marketing, promotion and information and publications departments and Hall technical service. In 1999 LIF celebrated 10th anniversary of being at the Polish trade fair market. Lodz International Fair is a member of Polish Chamber of Fair Trade. According to the statistical data of Corporation the company is located in "hot five" of companies of similar profile. In 1999 LIF was honoured with Hermes for outstanding trade fair achievements by "Gazeta Targowa" magazine. In 2001 European Integration and Business Centre Club awarded Lodz International Committee and Business Centre Club awarded LIF European Medal for International Fair of Telecommunications INTERTELECOM.
The seat of Lodz International Fair
Lodz, with its industrial origin coming back to the turn of the 19th century , is the biggest centre of manufacturers' residences in Poland. Palaces restored under the sharp eye of the conservators regain its previous beauty. They are the boast of a town; they host numerous offices and institutions. Since 1997 the seat of Lodz International Fair is a magnificent villa, surrounded by a garden, situated at 199 Wólczańska str. The residence was built in 1888 by Zygmunt Richter, a German manufacturer. It is in an eclectic style with the neo-Renaissance character. After the Second World War the villa was occupied by the kindergarten. The restoration began in the 90-ties, as an initiative of the Lodz Commune. The old look was given back to the facade and interiors. The splendid stucco works, oak wainscoting, marble fire-places, arched vaulting and original, colourful stained-glass windows are the pride of this place. Thanks to Lodz International Fair a new fence was made and the garden regained its glamour within a few months. The official opening of the garden, accompanied by a fashion show, took place in May 1998. The ceremony made an important point of the celebration of Lodz Feast, connected with the 575th anniversary of getting the civic rights by our city.
The priority privilege from the fair (exhibition)
Since many years Lodz International Fair has the priority privilege from the fair for the trade fair events organised by itself which gives the exhibitors the guarantee of proper protection of publicly presented solutions and signs. The priority from the fair (exhibition) is awarded to the fairs (exhibitions) with high renown, long tradition, organised by the professional fair organisers. The condition of assenting the date of priority by the Polish Patent Office is a certificate of presenting the certain solutions, exhibits and signs during the fairs that enjoy the priority privilege. The Fairs Management draws up a certificate after the request of an exhibitor. The priority privilege gives the exhibitor a temporary protection for six months (till he applies for protection in Polish Patent Office). The Polish Patent Office is a central organ of the State administration in the matter of industrial property. The office accepts the applications and adjudicates in matters of awarding patents for the inventions and protection laws for the applied patterns and trade marks. The duration of the exclusive laws is:
- 20 years for a patent
- 10 years for an applied pattern
- 25 years for a industrial pattern
- 10 years for a trade mark
