Parallel Trade in Europe

'Parallel trade' is the legitimate cross-border trade in goods which fall outside a brand-owner's 'official' distribution channels. Brand-owners have traditionally sought to restrict parallel trading by invoking national intellectual property rights, but this has increasingly led to a conflict with EC competition law. As well as providing a practical and authoritative narrative, this work contains checklists, a selection of relevant source materials, and commentary on current ECJ case-law. * Provides a unique exposition and analysis of the legal issues involved * Advises on the practical aspects of organising an effective branding and distribution policy * Describes how to exploit and enforce intellectual property rights in the brand * Comments on those industry sectors where parallel trade is most common, notably pharmaceuticals * Examines commercial activities that are likely to be affected by parallel trade e.g. distribution and franchising agreements, and after-sales service agreements