The Gray Blog

Finding good books on the parallel market is not an easy task. Despite its long and prominent history in US and European legal practice, the parallel market is usually relegated by most writers to a chapter regarding diversion of goods. It is therefore a treat to find an entire treatise devoted to the parallel market. The fact that it is both readable and intelligent is a plus.

Parallel Trade In Europe, by Christopher Stothers, published by Hart Publishing is just such a treat. As revealed by its title, it explores the history and development of the parallel market trade in Europe. Mr. Stothers, a solicitor working for Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, in London, clearly has developed a broad and rich understanding of the topic.

The experience with the parallel market in Europe is very different from that in the US. The difference in how parallel market rights apply “inside the community” versus “outside the community” has no familiar parallel in US practice. Similarly re-packaging restrictions follow unique restrictions. As a result, the book provides European practitioners with a great refresher and non-European practitioners with a very readable introduction.
Sample chapter headings include:

2.I.B. Industrial and Commercial Property
2.IV.A. General Rights to Prevent Repackaging.
2.VI. Rights which are not Subject to Exhaustion
3.I. Art. 81. Anti-compettitive Agreements
5.I.B. International Exhaustion under Community Legislation
5.I.E. Internal Enforcement.

Overall, Parallel Trade in Europe will provide the casual reader with a great overview of the fascinating history and status of parallel market law in Europe and will provide the professional practitioner with an invaluable reference resource. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

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