Professor Justin Hughes delivers the "Information Ecology" Fall 2006 lecture
Champagne, Feta, and Bourbon: The spirited debate about geographical indications
Oct. 17, 2006
The Center for the Study of the Public Domain continues its lecture series on “The Information Ecology” on Monday, Oct. 23, with a talk by Professor Justin Hughes of Cardozo Law School entitled “Champagne, Feta, and Bourbon: The Spirited Debate About Geographical Indications.” This event begins at 12:15 p.m., in Room 3041, Duke Law School.
"Geographical indications" (GIs) are a controversial kind of intellectual property recognized under the TRIPS Agreement. The international debate over GI protection frequently focuses on a few hot-button words - words like Champagne, Parmesan, Parmaham, Chablis, and Budweiser- all of which are claimed exclusively by European countries. Professor Hughes' talk will discuss such terms, and explore broader issues of strong GI protection, including questions over consumer welfare, genericness, agricultural policies in relation to globalization, and the monopoly rents that come from control of place names with powerful evocative uses.
Professor Hughes teaches intellectual property, Internet law, and international trade courses at Cardozo Law School. From 1997 to 2001, Hughes worked as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, focusing on the Administration's initiatives in Internet-related intellectual property issues, intellectual property law in developing economies, and copyright appellate filings for the United States (including the Napster litigation).
This lecture is open to all. Boxed lunches will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A live webcast of Professor Hughes’ lecture will be available at http://www.law.duke.edu/webcast/.