Fabrizio de Benedetti (IT)        1988-1990

Today it is difficult to appreciate just how important ECTA’s contribution was to model the Community Trade Mark system. Since its establishment, ECTA was recognized by the European Community’s Commission as the association of experts with which to work and discuss.

During my presidency, I devised a study comparing European Community member countries’ national trade mark laws with Community draft legislation. The results were summarized in special synoptic charts. The Commission was so interested in this work that it decided to organize a dedicated meeting with only ECTA representatives in order to analyze the study and use it to better promote the harmonization of national laws in Europe .

Being one of the founding members of ECTA, I had the opportunity of cooperating in shaping the new European trade mark legislation and of involving more and more members in their creative effort.

I believe that ECTA, with its ability to welcome or point out undesirable developments in proposed legislation, cope with its practical problems and help members understand its long running effects, is still the main organization linking the profession to the EU Commission as well as the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market and its operative departments.