Christophe Germann, Dr jur (PhD, University of Berne ), DEA (Master) in European Studies ( University of Geneva ), Attorney at Law

Christophe Germann holds a PhD from the University of Berne Law School where his doctoral thesis focused on cultural diversity and international trade from the perspective of intellectual property, competition, trade and culture laws and policies. He acts as alternate leader of IP3 with a focus on "Special and Differential Treatment", and lectures on the international intellectual property system at the Institute for European and International Economic Public Law of the University of Berne Law School (http://www.iew.unibe.ch/), and at the World Trade Institute in Berne ( http://www.wti.org/ ). In parallel, Christophe Germann takes part in the post-doctoral programme Max Weber Fellowship of the European University Institute of Florence ( http://www.iue.it/ ) where he researches and teaches in the area of trade related cultural diversity law and policies.

Previously, Christophe Germann headed the legal programme "Avanti", which provided professional training in audiovisual laws and policies for lawyers from Georgia , Armenia and Azerbaijan ; this project was funded by the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency (SDC). During the last five years, Christophe Germann was invited as expert and speaker at many conferences and hearings addressing cultural diversity and international trade laws and policies that were organized by UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Culturelink, the International Network for Cultural Policies (INCP) the Federation of European Film Directors (FERA) and various universities. Christophe Germann also works as an attorney at law admitted to the bar of Geneva and authorised to practise in Switzerland and in the European Union (http://www.germann-avocats.com/). He set up his own law firm specialising in intellectual property and general commercial law in March 2000 after having worked as an associate of the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie ( Geneva and San Francisco offices) for several years.