The average consumer in trade mark law and passing off

About the event

The average consumer plays a central role in trade mark law and passing off. (S)he is the barometer of how similar marks are, how similar goods are, whether there is confusion, misrepresentation or dilution and whether marks are distinctive in the first place. Yet, somehow, this busy person defies definition, though many have tried, with the latest attempt being the Court of Appeal’s November 2014 Interflora decision.

The aim of the seminar is to consider the characteristics of the average consumer, and how (if at all) the average consumer differs depending on national, product and other contexts.

The panellists:

• The average consumer generally
  James Mellor QC (8 New Square)
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• The average consumer in passing off
  The Hon Mr Justice Arnold (RCJ)

• The average internet consumer
  Professor Dev Gangjee (Oxford)
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• The average pharmaceutical consumer
  Jenny Barker (GSK)
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• The average German consumer
  Alexander von Muhlendahl (Bardhele Pagenberg)
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• The average US consumer
  Professor Laura Heymann (William & Mary Law School, USA)
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Chaired by Dr Ilanah Fhima (UCL IBIL)

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