The ECTA 41st Annual Conference ‘Exploring IP Magic’ is coming up in Prague from 28 June to 1 July 2023!

REGISTER NOW AT THE EARLY BIRD FEE!

Among other sessions on cutting-edge IP topics, we will discuss ‘Geographical Names as Trade Marks: Road to Nowhere?’ in a panel moderated by Sozos-Christos Theodoulou (The Law Offices of Dr. Christos A. Theodoulou LLC). Let’s learn more from Sozos:

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your link to ECTA?

My name is Sozos-Christos Theodoulou and I am a practicing lawyer in Cyprus, specialising in Intellectual Property. I am currently the Chairman of the IP Committee of the Cyprus Bar Association and served as President of ECTA from 2018-2020.

2. Could you please introduce the topic of your Conference session?

The 7th Session of the ECTA Annual Conference 2023 will be dedicated to geographical names and their relationship with trade marks. How ‘safe’ are country or region names among so many trade marks around the world? Do countries automatically own trade marks, which match their names? Can private enterprises use such names in trade, to their own benefit? What is the role of public policy in these situations? How does a lawyer correctly prepare evidence and how important is the relevant public for authorities to decide on such matters? These and many other questions will be addressed by the panelists.

3. Who will be on the panel for your session?

The distinguished panel is composed of three experienced speakers:

• Leading IP practitioner at E.G.Y.P., Benjamin Fontaine
• Permanent Secretary, Icelandic Ministry of Health, Ásta Valdimarsdottir
• Chairperson of the EUIPO 2nd Board of Appeal, Sven Stürmann

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

Conference attendees are most welcome to join our session, which aspires to introduce an exciting topic that has not been properly addressed to date by the Intellectual Property community. The session will mainly be devoted to the presentation and legal analysis of case law (ANDORRA, ICELAND and others), relating to the registration of geographical names as trade marks. Specific issues will be addressed, such as public interest and policy, the correct preparation of evidence and the notion of relevant public.

In the end, a lively discussion will be engaged with the audience, during which many interesting points will be touched upon. Hence, the session is directed at all IP practitioners, who wish to learn more about this original topic.

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

The ECTA Annual Conference is the flagship IP event of the year! It gathers more than 800 IP professionals from Europe and the whole World. The educational sessions, covered by top-level speakers, always deal with matters of actual interest, with a keen eye to the future. Networking is characteristic of the ECTA Annual Conference, as attendees take part in multiple events together in beautiful surroundings over 3-4 days. Not to be missed!

**Find out more about the other educational sessions here!**