Unfair Competition In and Beyond Intellectual Property

International and European norms recognize the need to promote fairness in competition and business practices. The concept of promotion for fair competition and protection against unfair competition is not clearly defined in the law nor harmonized in Europe. However unfair competition is embedded in the various elements of the intellectual property protection against confusion, false or misleading indications in the course of trade, misappropriation as well as various regulations against substantive and procedural abuse. This half day conference will explore the concept at the interface of unfair competition regulation and intellectual property law in Europe. Speakers will discuss among others, regulation of business to business unfair practices in Europe, passing off and trade mark law in Britain, trade secret protection as well as the concept of unfairness in the regulation of services.

Program:

13.00 – 13.30 B2B unfair practices – still unchartered territory in EU law or the source of common principles?
Professor Dr. Annette Kur, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich, Germany

13.30 – 13.45 Discussion

13.45 – 14.15 European trade mark law through a British unfair competition and passing off lens
Professor Graeme Dinwoodie, University of Oxford

14.15 – 14.30 Discussion

14.30 – 14.45 Break

14.45 – 15.15 Trade secret protection in the EU: implications for employee mobility and competition
Dr. Gintare Surblyte, Senior Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition   

15.15 – 15.30 Discussion

15.30 – 16.00 Unfair competition and protection of  service concept
LL.D Kari-Pekka Syrjä, University of Helsinki

16.00 – 16.15 Discussion & Closing Comment