Experts from the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM), practitioners and academics will analyse significant developments in EU law on trademarks and designs since 2007, when the last ERA seminar at OHIM was held.

In the field of trademarks, the most significant Community case law on relative and absolute grounds for refusal will be presented, including preliminary rulings from the European Court of Justice.

There will be a special focus on:

- Misleading advertisements, online advertisement and slogans as trademarks
- The protection of trademarks within distribution agreements
- Dilution and trademarks with a strong reputation
- Figurative trademarks
- Single letters as trademarks

Concerning designs, the first decisions from the Community Courts will be presented and discussed.