• Proof of use: are there different thresholds for the burden of proving genuine use and/or reputation or acquired distinctiveness?
• Showing reputation and acquired distinctiveness through market surveys: benefits and pitfalls of using market surveys in trademark litigation, and requirements for a survey can help assess the strength of a trade mark or acquired secondary meaning through consumer recognition and association.
• Well-known trade marks and trade marks enjoying reputation: extension and limits of their protection and enforcement, and in this context, the protection for heritage brands.
• Coexistence and preclusion due to tolerance: the requisites for the commencement of the period of preclusion, the differences between the preclusion due to acquiescence and the peaceful coexistence of trade marks as a factor to be taken into account in the assessment of the likelihood of confusion.
• Selective distribution schemes for luxury brands: opportunities and limits.

• Non-conventional marks such as colours, shape marks and trade dress of products, and sounds, and promotional messages and slogans: market needs vs protection limits
• Patronymics trade marks: specificity and protection limits
• The distinctive character of a trade mark, in the assessment of a likelihood of confusion: strong and weak trade marks, complex trade marks, and the neutralising weight of figurative components and other verbal or graphic elements in the comparison.

• The Experience and the point of view of the industry.

The Speakers representing the industry sector will be invited to propose their views and further thoughts on the protection and enforcement of trade marks and any perceivable gaps between market realities and case-law trends, in light of their own professional experience.