2025 Paris Fashion Law Conference

Tickets are mandatory to gain access to the venue. If you are a student and wish to obtain a free ticket, please register with the promo code provided to your educational institution. If your institution does not have a promo code, please have a faculty member reach out to [email protected] to obtain one.

The Intellectual Property Law Section of the Federal Bar Association, the French-American Bar Association, the Harvard Fashion Law Association and La Fondation des États-Unis are thrilled to welcome you to the 2025 Annual Paris Fashion Law Conference.

This event will be held at the picturesque Art-Deco Grand Salon of La Fondation des États-Unis (FEU). The FEU is a cultural center serving Franco-American cultures since 1930. It is one of the first of 45 residences to have been built on the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CiuP) campus. The FEU’s cultural program offers a wide range of concerts, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and performances, and showcases FEU artists-in-residence and alumni.

This event will provide 3 CLE credit sessions, and will be followed by an on-site cocktail reception at the FEU’s garden terrace featuring FEU artists-in-residence and alumni.

Info: Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of cheap, trendy clothing that mimics high-end styles. While it satisfies consumer demand for affordable apparel, it raises significant legal concerns. Labor law violations are rampant, with many brands outsourcing to factories that exploit workers with unsafe conditions and unfair wages. Additionally, fast fashion contributes to environmental harm, prompting stricter regulations on waste and emissions. Intellectual property issues also arise, as designs are often copied without permission, leading to lawsuits from designers and brands. Governments and advocacy groups are increasingly pushing for legislation to enforce ethical practices and hold companies accountable for violations. The increasingly unstable landscape of tariffs have also impacted the fast fashion industry due to its low-margin, high-volume model. This panel will discuss the impact of fast fashion and cover legislation in the US and EU addressing this sector of the industry.

Info: Famous trademarks face several legal issues primarily related to dilution, infringement, and counterfeiting. Unlike ordinary marks, famous trademarks are protected even when unauthorized use occurs in non-competing markets, under the doctrine of dilution by blurring or tarnishment. Legal challenges often involve proving fame, likelihood of confusion, and harm to brand reputation. Global enforcement is difficult due to varying national laws and standards for trademark protection. Additionally, the rise of digital platforms has increased the risk of online infringement and unauthorized use in domain names, social media, and e-commerce. Maintaining distinctiveness and preventing genericide are also ongoing concerns for brand owners. This panel will examine the concept of fame and the evidentiary burden necessary to prove fame, along with anticipated legal costs of doing so.

Info: The fashion industry faces growing antitrust legal issues related to market dominance, price fixing, and anti-competitive collaborations. Large fashion houses and conglomerates may engage in practices that limit competition, such as exclusive distribution agreements, resale price maintenance, and collusion on pricing or supply restrictions. Mergers between major brands can raise concerns about reduced consumer choice and innovation. Additionally, fashion trade associations and industry events have come under scrutiny for potential information sharing that could facilitate cartel behavior. As sustainability and tech integration reshape the industry, regulators increasingly monitor how data collection, algorithms, and platform dominance may violate antitrust laws globally. This panel will examine antitrust considerations in the US and EU, and the causes of actions available to competitors, consumers, and brands caught in the middle and feeling the brunt of post-merger market inequities.

Host or Publisher Federal Bar Association - IP Section