Intellectual property has emerged in the modern global economy as the new source of power and wealth, changing the composition of world trade and ushering in a new era of legislation in many countries. New trade agreements, conventions and directives all attempt to keep pace with what has become a dynamic factor in commercial transactions. In the European Community, there are continuing attempts to harmonise national legal systems in order to promote innovation, trade and technology transfer. However, the law is applied nationally and substantive differences between member states will remain. This book gathers together expert commentary from leading European practitioners on the complex interplay between Community and national law in their jurisdictions. Each chapter analyses the law relating to:
- trademarks
- copyright
- patents
- industrial design
- confidential information
- trade secrets
