Sale of elephant ivory objects : the applicable regulation
Since the 1970s, the trade in ivory objects, in particular those derived from elephants, has been subject to increasingly strict regulation. The legitimate objective is to combat poaching and trafficking. The result is a complex regulatory framework in which prohibition is the rule, and authorization, the exception. A recent decision of the Orléans Administrative Court […]
Restoration and conservation of Notre-Dame de Paris : les will Viollet-le-Duc’s stained glass windows soon be replaced ?
The Grand Palais is presenting, until March 2026, the models for six contemporary stained glass windows designed for Notre-Dame by the artist Claire Tabouret. They are intended to replace six stained glass windows designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Although these stained glass windows were not damaged by the 2019 fire, the project is giving rise to […]
The destruction of infringing works, an appropriate sanction : turnaround in the Chagall case
In a judgment dated 11 July 2025, the Paris Court of Appeal held that the presentation of a “fake” Chagall to the artist’s authentication committee as well as to an auctioneer constitutes an act of infringement. It therefore ordered the destruction of the disputed painting. In doing so, it departs from the solution adopted at […]
Cultural property looted during the Second world war : the cour des comptes report takes stock of the situation
Looted cultural property continues to be identified or rediscovered within public and private collections. These discoveries result from provenance research carried out by rights holders, departments of certain major museums and auction houses, as well as the Commission for the Restution of Propertu and the Compensation of Victims of Antisemitic Spoliations (CIVS) and the Mission […]
The complex regulation of sales of nazi objects
Between vile symbols of an ideology to be fought and historical testimonies that must be preserved as a duty of memory, it is difficult to define the legal regime of Nazi objects. They remain in the attics of houses occupied by Germans, they sometimes appear in flea markets, sales or online. How should they be […]
The case of the fake 18th-century furniture from the palace of Versailles : a judgment too favorable to the state ans risks for the Art market
If the case of the fake 18th-century furniture from the Palace of Versailles has been widely publicised in its criminal aspect, the civil dimension of the case has, by contrast, been overlooked. Yet it presents major interest for art market professionals. The purpose of this article is therefore not to recount a well-known saga, but […]
Appeals in reformation and annulment against INPI Decisions
The Directive of December 16, 2015, on trademark law introduced administrative procedures for the revocation and cancellation of trademarks before the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property). The Ordinance of February 12, 2020, subsequently introduced new Article L.411-4 into the French Intellectual Property Code. This article entered into force on April 1, 2020, and […]
How to protect a Trademark in the United States : a comprehensive guide to US Trademark registration
Filing a trademark in the United States has several specificities, particularly regarding the importance of use. From filing to registration procedures, from evidence of use to renewal, this provide a comprehensive overview of trademark protection in the United States. Filing a Trademark in the USA Key principles A prior art search is essential beforehand, as […]
Fate of Trademark licenses in companies facing financial difficulties
Many companies develop their business activities through trademark licenses, which constitute crucial intangible assets that enable market presence and generate revenue. When a company experiences financial difficulties, the fate of these licensing contracts becomes a critical concern for all parties involved. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the maintenance of contractual relationships for companies […]
Transfer of social media accounts : legal rules and best practices
Innovation always gives rise new legal questions. Remember the first domain name transfers twenty years ago ! Now, one of the frequent questions concerns social networks. What is the legal nature of a social media account? How can the transfer of social media accounts be achieved? Below are some answers and considerations. The legal nature […]