The exercise of trademark rights relating to shapes may have a negative impact on competition in relevant markets. The materialization of this impact, and hence the conflict with the essentially pro-competitive vocation of a trademark\u2019s fundamental distinctive function, especially\u00a0 relates to three-dimensional shapes, in particular those \u201cintrinsic\u201d to\u00a0 the finished product itself, or the form of its packaging when the product does not or cannot have a three-dimensional shape, like in the case of liquids.<\/p>\n
The Lecture addresses the competition-related issues arising from the registrability of three-dimensional shapes of industrial products, in light of the European legal framework and the systemic dystopias and over-protectionist consequences stemming from the coexistence of trademark and registered design protection. It presents an interpretative solution capable of overcoming such impasse in a pro-competitive perspective.<\/p>\n
Gustavo Ghidini<\/strong> is Professor of IP and Competition at LUISS University, Rome, where he is also Director of the Osservatorio di Propriet\u00e0 intellettuale Concorrenza e Comunicazioni<\/em>. He also held, from 2006 to 2016, \u00a0the Chair of Intellectual Property and Competition Law at the University of Milan. He is Past President (2005-2007) of ATRIP.<\/p>\n ________________________________________________________<\/p>\n