Drawing on the variety of skills and expertise existing within its world-wide membership, MARQUES seeks to ensure that its corporate finger rests on the pulse of affairs.  Every single member is encouraged to make a contribution - in whatever form and through whatever medium suits - to the development of MARQUES as a global resource centre by agreeing to share professional strengths with fellow members.  At the same time each member is urged to improve and enhance personal performance by drawing, from the centre, support and guidance in those areas where he/she is not quite so strong or experienced. 

The Executive Committee of the full MARQUES Council - comprised of the Chairman plus two Vice-Chairman - directs the operation of a growing number of Project Teams which address issues related to their special sphere of responsibility.

To find out more about the work the teams are involved in, or to contact a team either for assistance or to offer support please click on the relevant team from the list below.

Amicus Curiae Team
Submission of Amicus Curiae briefs before the European Courts either on its own or in cooperation with other professional organisations.

Anti-Counterfeiting & Parallel Trade Team
Investigations, Regional Issues, Trade secrets, Parallel Imports/Exhaustion, Piracy

Brands & Marketing Team
Advertising, marketing plan erosion, brand extension, comparative advertising, confusing/unfair/gray advertising, trade dress, sponsoring and ambush, IP creation, searches, co-branding, negative PR pursuit.

China Team
The Team will be in charge of providing information and business tools to protect and enforce IPR in China and to guide Chinese brand owners on any European IP issues they may have.

Communication and Membership Team
The Team’s is responsible for providing means of communicating the value and services of MARQUES and to maintain and increase membership.

Council
Overall responsibility for the Organisation

Cyberspace Team
Domain names, trademark and IP infringement on Internet, social media, search engines keywords; following and contributing developments with key internet players, like ICANN or WIPO, ensuring setting contact points with these entities.

Designs Team
Protection, Management, Tax Issues, Filings, Legal, Renewals, Designs vs. 3-D marks

Education Team
Organizing the Lewis Gaze memorial scholarship, preparing educational materials, organizing seminars and workshops, research and development of educational projects.

Executive Team
Top level strategy and decision making, top level external relations.

Famous and Well Known Marks Team
Achievement of status, methods of evidence (before offices and courts), protection without confusion, dilution, free riding, use-requirement for infringement, keyword advertising, notorious marks and Paris Convention.

Geographical Indications
Geographical indications, designations of origin, WTO, TRIPS

Intellectual Asset Management Team
Raising the profile and awareness of brands as valuable business assets and to provide guidelines for best practice in the creation, management and commercialisation of those assets.

IP Outer Borders Team
Change frequently alters how we perceive, use and protect trademarks, and even what qualifies as a trademark. This team evaluates social and cultural trends and emerging issues affecting registered signs, brands and related intellectual property rights - mindful that we can often add insight when we explore the intersection between trademark law and other fields and disciplines.

Madrid Protocol Team
To encourage countries to join the Madrid Protocol

Programming Team
Seminars Planning & Organising, Working with teams for cross seminars, Dealing with post seminar material

Regulatory Team
To raise awareness with of regulatory, labelling, packaging and claims (health & safety) matters that impact on choice of brand, trade dress & communication.

Study Task Force
Following developments, keeping members updated, liaising with the Commission, OHIM as well as other stakeholders and drawing up MARQUES observations in connection with the on-going work in relation to the Study.

Trademark Law and Practice Team
Protection, Management, Tax Issues, Filings, Legal, Renewals, Affidavits, User requirements

Unfair Competition Team
Regional issues, look-alikes, own label, innovation, code of conduct, ethics, trademark councils