Retail and Groceries

Industry Players

Your particular IPR needs will vary, depending on whether you are a large or small player, whether you manufacture and distribute your own merchandise or sell only third-party goods, or produce groceries that are sold by a third party. There are some common issues that arise, despite considerable differences. Competition is tough. Digitization forces structural changes and the desire to satisfy the consumer’s endless appetite for the new drives everything. Awareness of your own intellectual property rights and assets can avert potential conflicts and help you create a competitive edge in an industry where time and flexibility are of the essence.

Why are intellectual property rights important?

One of the main reasons why awareness of intellectual property rights is important is because of the frequency of new product launches and extension to product ranges, mentioned above. New products, and accompanying packaging, are frequently developed within a very short space of time. Producers have to ensure they do not infringe existing third party rights, while dealing with a confusing array of products and rights. One practical consequence of all this is that protection against copying within this industry is fast getting narrower and narrower.

How can we help?

Bryn Aarflot has been representing the largest companies within grocery and retail, both in Norway and abroad, for many years. Protection against copying is steadily weakening in an industry facing frequent, trend-based product changes. This brings its own challenges to the ideas and development stage, and to later stages in the process. Bryn Aarflot has extensive experience in everything from strategy to dispute resolution and procedure for a range of forums including the courts and the Council dealing with unfair marketing practices (NKU).