The International Distribution Institute (IDI), the leading organization dealing with international distribution law, will hold its 2012 annual conference in Venice.

The conference is addressed to lawyers and businessmen involved in negotiating, drafting and managing international distribution contracts (agency, distributorship, franchising, etc.) and will deal with a number of topical issues which justify an in-depth discussion between the participants and qualified experts in this field.

The conference is divided into a main session (on Friday 18 May) and three parallel workshops on specific issues chosen by IDI in collaboration with its members (on Saturday 19 May, morning).

Please join Reed Smith partner Edward Miller for his panel entitled "Internet strategies and the relation with the existing distribution network."  Manufacturers cannot avoid being present on the Internet, not only for promoting their image, but also as sellers of their products. This inevitably creates competition and conflict with the traditional distribution network. The first question which arises is to look for the best possible strategy for minimizing conflicts and competition with the existing network. The panel will analyze and discuss possible options.

For additional information, download the .PDF below.