Intellectual Property and the Diffusion of Culture: Insights from the Swiss Watchmaking Industry

In 1996, watchmaker Patek Philippe launched the iconic slogan, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation”, emphasising the brand’s ties with Switzerland’s perceived dedication to quality and timelessness. Similarly, many other consumer goods have evolved into symbols of countries’ perceived cultural identity, with IP laws playing a decisive role in this process. This presentation will illustrate how IP law fosters the diffusion of cultural values, provide insights into the IP strategy of the discreet Swiss watchmaking industry, and highlight market-based solutions which might influence upcoming legislation.

About the speaker:
Christophe is a PhD Candidate at the Center for Law & Economics at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He is interested in the changing nature of intellectual property and the influence of the law in the process of cultural diffusion. In his ongoing projects, he empirically analyses the use of new technologies for managing and valuing IP rights, particularly in the luxury industry. He is also investigating the legal and commercial implications of using e-commerce platforms to sell cultural property. Furthermore, he analyses consumer preferences and social norms about anti-piracy laws.

Registration link: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=96459

For inquiries, please contact Ms. Grace Chan at mcgrace@hku.hk / 3917 4727.