A Genevan panorama on IP and sustainability.

Journal Article

1 electronic resource (pages 61-62)

In February 2023, the Université de Genève organized a hybrid conference on the crossroads between IP and sustainability. It was one of the first of its kind, but certainly not the last. Participants witnessed presentations of eminent speakers hosted by Professor Jacques de Werra of the Digital Law Center. In 2024, four of the presented papers were bundled in an edited book published by Schulthess, mainly in English. The conference bundle was complemented with a fifth chapter, in order to introduce the readership to a true ‘panorama’ (Avant-propos, p. VI) of sustainable concerns throughout the lens of various IP rights. Olivia Dhordain kicks off with a short chapter filled with intriguing questions on IP and sustainability in general, taking the perspective of IP rightholders active in the market of luxury goods. Closely connected with the industry herself and strongly convinced by that industry’s willingness to foster more sustainable solutions, the author dares to take some spicy viewpoints. The latter include the following: design legislation favours fast fashion producers over producers of more durable products; design protection should go way beyond 25 years for iconic products and signature items, and shape marks are the adequate means to achieve that goal under current law; applicants should prove the sustainability of their goods or services when filing ecofriendly trade marks; and non-fungible tokens could help incentivizing voluntary green patent pooling initiatives. Overall, Dhordain’s chapter offers a lot of food for thought and adds interesting nuances to the mainstream opinions, for instance on upcycling. Nonetheless, the contribution would have had more depth if it had contained more and more diverse references to the literature on the topics touched upon.

Intellectual Property Law & Practice ; 20, 1, 2025, 1747-1540.

Oxford, UK : Oxford University Press, 2025.

English

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