Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, April 8-11

The Patent Cup, one of sailing’s most unique international regattas, traces its origins back to 1989 when French and German patent attorneys Frédéric Benech and Peter Franck conceived the idea of blending competitive racing with the unique fellowship of the global intellectual property community. What began as a friendly race among intellectual property professionals has grown into a globe-trotting annual event.

From its earliest days in Cherbourg, France, to more recent venues like Sydney, Chicago, and Aarhus, Denmark, the guiding principle has remained unchanged: friendly competition among professionals, with the added reward of building lasting international relationships. True to its founding spirit, the Patent Cup brings together teams representing countries, firms, and organizations within the intellectual property community.

This year’s event was held in Canada at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, and featured nine teams sailing Elliott 6 Meters over a full series of 13 spirited races in moderate to light conditions across English Bay. The fleet included entries from the USA, Brazil, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Canada, and two European Patent Office teams, representing a strong cross-section of the global patent community. The USA team from Patterson + Sheridan, consisting of Keith Taboada, Brian Taboada, Johanna Schon, and Chad Dougherty, jumped out to an early lead, and held off the Brazilian team lead by Peter Siemsen of Dannemann Siemsen who came on strong as the wind lightened.  The Germany team lead by Jens Koch of Grünecker, was third, with veteran sailor Andy Knowles of New Zealand in fourth. Keith Taboada and the Patterson + Sheridan team also won the event in 2025 in Aarhus, Denmark.