2nd GRUR / uni.lu / MUCPAT Joint Conference 2026 | Intellectual Property and the European Courts

We are pleased to invite you to the 2nd GRUR / uni.lu / MUCPAT Joint Conference, taking place on 3 and 4 December 2026 in Luxembourg.

The conference jointly organised by the German Association for Intellectual Property Law (GRUR), the University of Luxembourg and the Munich Centre for Patent Law Research (MUCPAT) brings together leading judges, academics and practitioners to discuss current developments at the intersection of intellectual property law and the European courts. Across four panels, the programme addresses important questions concerning patent jurisdiction and infringement, FRAND, fundamental rights in copyright and trade mark law, and the implications of artificial intelligence for IP infringement.

The event will be held in English. Please note that no simultaneous translation will be provided.

Day 1 – Thursday, 3 December 2026 | 12:30  – 19:30 
Venue: European Convention Centre Luxembourg (ECCL)
 

The conference opens with Dr Klaus Grabinski, President of the UPC Court of Appeal, and Dr Anke Nordemann-Schiffel, President of GRUR.

The first day will focus on two central issues:

Panel 1 | European Courts as global patent infringement courts after BSH vs. Electrolux (?)
with Rian Kalden, Dr Oliver Schön and Prof. Dr Josef Drexl.

Panel 2 | FRAND – recent developments (and future challenges)
with Prof. Dr Rafał Sikorski and other leading experts from the judiciary, academia and practice.

Day 2 – Friday, 4 December 2026 | 08:00  – 14:30 
Venue: Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
 

The second day will turn to fundamental rights and emerging challenges in copyright, trade mark and AI law:

Panel 3 | Pelham and IKEA: The impact of fundamental rights on European copyright and trademark law
with Maciej Szpunar, First Advocate General at the CJEU, Prof. Dr h.c. Andreas Paulus and Prof. Dr Martin Senftleben, discussing the impact of Pelham and IKEA.

Panel 4 | Artificial Intelligence, copyright and trade mark law – common features of IP Infringements?
Exploring common features of IP infringements in the age of artificial intelligence, with Prof. Caterina Sganga, Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Annette Kur and Dr Bartosz Sujecki.

The panels will be chaired by Prof. Dr Ansgar Ohly, Prof. Dr Matthias Leistner and Prof. Dr Martin Stierle.

Social Programme

In addition to the academic programme, the conference will provide opportunities for informal exchange and networking. The first day will conclude with an evening reception on Thursday, while the conference will close on Friday afternoon with a networking lunch, providing a further opportunity to exchange views and connect with colleagues from across the European IP community.

Registration and participation fee:

The number of participants is limited to 150. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place.

• Regular attendees:
  The participation fee is EUR 200. Please register online via the conference registration page (click on the REGISTER NOW button at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions).
  
  REGISTER ONLINE 
  
   
• Representatives, members and staff of the UPC, the CJEU and the General Court, as well as speakers and chairs:
  Participation is free of charge. Please register by email with Ms Sandra von Lingen at s.vonlingen@grur.org.

Certificate of Participation:
The 2nd GRUR / uni.lu / MUCPAT Joint Conference 2026 is eligible for 8 hours of continuing legal education in accordance with § 15 FAO. Upon request, participants will receive a certificate of participation after the conference as proof of continuing legal education within the meaning of § 15 FAO.

Explore our conference website and register soon. We look forward to welcoming you to Luxembourg.

Best regards

The team of the GRUR Head Office


Contact for requests: 
Sandra von Lingen
GRUR Senior Manager International Affairs & Publications
Email: s.vonlingen@grur.org
Mobile: +49 (0)151-40769322