Chapter 2. International and European Unfair Competition Law

Abstract

This chapter discusses international principles on unfair competition law and addresses the status of unfair competition law within the European context, followed by an outline of certain concepts that have been developed in doctrine as (proposed) underlying principles of unfair competition law. The international regulation of unfair competition law basically fell into line with the regulation of intellectual property law. The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was adopted in 1883. Following the Paris Convention, various special agreements were adopted that contain provisions relating to unfair competition law. The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs) introduced a set of enforceable intellectual property rules for the international community. Paris Convention and other relevant international conventions have established a minimum level of protection against unfair competition in each Member State. Finally, the chapter discusses several new developments regarding the harmonisation of unfair competition law.Keywords: European harmonisation; european unfair competition law; intellectual property law; international community; paris convention; TRIPs