Innovation and tradition

The morning on the university's premises was dedicated to various current challenges of trademark law. Prof. Dr. Ansgar Ohly, holder of the Chair of Civil Law, Intellectual Property Law and Competition Law at LMU Munich, shed light on the new European legal framework for geographical indications of source. He emphasized its importance for the brewing industry, but at the same time pleaded for a more balanced protection concept. Dario Cotterchio, Head of the Food Conformity and Hygienic Design Department at the Weihenstephan Research Center for Brewing and Food Quality at the Technical University of Munich, used empirical studies to illustrate how brewers' understanding of quality and consumers' expectations differ. While sustainability and innovation are gaining in importance among consumers, the purity law is becoming less important, especially among younger generations.

Dr. Tilman Reinhardt, Academic Councillor at the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Bayreuth in Kulmbach, addressed various issues relating to alcohol labeling. In addition to warnings, future European legislation could also affect the labeling of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages. He also pointed out the potential explosive force of classifying ethanol as reprotoxic and carcinogenic under substance law. Finally, lawyer Leonie Evans from the Meisterernst law firm in Munich discussed the increasingly strict case law on sustainability claims. The European Union's Green Claims Directive could further tighten the requirements for such claims in the future. All presentations met with lively interest from the expert audience and led to constructive discussions.

Panel discussion on the future of the Purity Law

The afternoon panel discussion chaired by Prof. Dr. Markus Möstl at the Mönchshof was dedicated to the future of the Purity Law. Dr. Uwe Lebok from K&A BrandResearch discussed the significance of the Purity Law in the light of changing consumer habits and demographic change. Robert Scholz , Managing Director of the Bavarian Brewers' Association, emphasized the international significance of the Purity Law, but considered cautious changes to be possible in the interests of consumers and producers. Jutta Saumweber, Head of the Food and Nutrition Department at the Bavarian Consumer Association, also pleaded for more flexibility in order to meet consumer wishes, for example with regard to gluten-free products. Prof. Dr. Möstl, holder of the Chair of Public Law II at the University of Bayreuth, emphasized that the current legal anchoring of the Purity Law is not worthy of its importance.

Prof. Dr. Kai Purnhagen, holder of the Chair of Food Law at the University of Bayreuth, was pleased with the constructive exchange in his conclusion. He emphasized the urgency of shaping beer law for the future. The conference had made it clear that innovation and tradition in beer law should be combined in order to meet current challenges and secure the future of the Purity Law.