Protecting IP Rights in Europe: Deciphering and Maximizing Key Benefits of the European Trademark Reforms

Outline

1. Overview of the issues
   1. Brief refresher on Europe’s trade mark system – national and ‘European’ registrations
   2. Background to the reforms – why were they needed?
   3. Key objectives of the reforms
2. Analysis of the reforms introduced by the Regulation
   1. Impact on the European-wide system
   2. Changes in terminology
   3. What can be protected as a trade mark?
   4. Ensuring the correct goods/services are covered
   5. Benefiting from fee reductions
   6. The impact of more streamlined procedures
   7. Clarification of the scope of a trade mark registration
   8. Greater powers for brand owners to intercept counterfeit goods
3. Timescale for implementation of the reforms on national level
4. Analysis of the reforms introduced by the Directive
   1. Impact on the trade mark system of each EU member state
   2. Key changes introduced by the Directive - in parallel with the Regulation to achieve harmonisation
   3. Additional procedural and substantive changes introduced by the Directive
   4. Timescale – requirement for national implementation
5. Summary of the key benefits for brand owners
6. Practical tips for making the most of the reforms
7. Next steps for brand owners

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

• What are the key changes under the new trademark law?
• How will companies and counsel need to adjust their designation and classification in the trademark registration?
• What steps can IP counsel take to utilize the new law to better protect the client’s IP rights?