Stefan Völker

Trademarks used to protect classic indicators of origin such as words and logos. Designs on the other hand were meant to protect the appearance of a product or parts of it. With the emergence of non-traditional marks (such as shape marks) and the acceptance of logos as designs, the clear demarcation between trademarks and designs has become more and more blurred. This provides challenges as well as opportunities for companies looking for protection of their brands and products. Developing a sound strategy resting on both designs and trademarks can make or break the success of a new product. This workshop will look into some of the key aspects of the two IP rights and their effective use in forming a coordinated protection strategy.