Join us at the ECTA 42nd Annual Conference in Antwerp on 19-22 June 2024! REGISTER HERE!

We have put together a great high-level educational program and are ready to delve into the ‘Many Facets of IP’ with a special focus on sustainability, in line with 2024 WIPO theme IP & the sustainable development goals. Among numerous interesting panels, we will discuss green trade marks in a dedicated session moderated by Lidy-Anne Jeswiet from Kirkpatrick SA (Belgium).


1. Introduce yourself and your link to ECTA.

I am an IP Counsel, Benelux and European Trade Mark and Design Attorney, and CEO of Kirkpatrick S.A. For me, ECTA is the association where you can exchange experiences and gain a broad IP knowledge, network with people with the same IP passion from all over Europe and beyond, and be part of a large IP Family. In addition, contributing to the important role that ECTA plays as a sparring partner, a recognised reference for organisations such as the EUIPO and legislative bodies, is very existing. I am honoured to chair the session ‘Different Shades of Green - Sustainability in Trade Marks’ at this year’s ECTA Annual Conference in Antwerp on Thursday, 20 June 2024.

2. Introduce the topic of your Conference session.

As the climate crisis comes to a head and there is more and more politicization of environmental and social governance, consumers look for ways to buy more sustainable and businesses to satisfy this demand. Eco-advertising, green marketing campaigns, trade marks ‘going green’, but also greenwashing and the opposite, green hushing, have become commonplace. How do the legislative bodies react? How do businesses find the balance? Can something bad (counterfeit) end up good (responsible disposal)?

3. Introduce the panel of your Conference session.

The first speaker will be Peter Johannes Klein, a German attorney at Vossius. He is specialised in trade mark, design, competition, food and internet law, and has a great deal of experience in litigation. He has also successfully litigated many authoritative cases related to greenwashing and sustainability claims.

Our second speaker will be John Wilks, a solicitor at DLA Piper UK LLP, who has extensive experience in a range of domestic and international intellectual property issues, advertising and marketing law, breach of confidence and data protection work. He is very much concerned about greenwashing and will give us the UK setting.

The third speaker is Sara Citterio, General Counsel at the Italian well known luxury fashion house Trussardi in Milan, who is prepared to talk about her practice, sustainability policies and ways of working in the current ‘green’ trade mark landscape.

Ronald Brohn, Managing Director of REACT, The Netherlands, will be our fourth speaker. Since 1991 he is the director and founder of REACT, The European Anti-Counterfeiting Network, a worldwide anti-counterfeiting network for more than 340 multinationals, involved in numerous seizures and the destruction of counterfeit goods.

4. Why should Conference participants join your session, and at whom in particular will your session be directed?

This session offers relevant, current, and multifaceted discussions suitable for all professionals, particularly those interested in a sustainable (IP) world.

5. Why should IP colleagues register for the ECTA Annual Conference?

The Conference offers excellent educational opportunities and a chance to connect with the IP community of the EU and beyond, whether it is making new acquaintances or reuniting with old IP friends. Plus, the ECTA Conference is always fun, and Antwerp is a fantastic city!

**Find out more about the other educational sessions here or watch the teaser on the academic program here!**