In Germany legislation specifically dealing with the exhibition industry is very rare. There is no specific Act on the organization of trade fairs and complimentary services.
Within the German Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung) there is a regulation defining "Messe" (trade fair) and "Ausstellung" (exhibition). If an event fulfills the requirements of the definition, exhibitors and visitors are granted certain privileges making trade on a trade fair and the protection of intellectual property easier. However, everybody is free to hold an event and call it "Messe" or "Ausstellung" even if it does not comply with the legal definition in the German Trade Regulation Act. In general there are no specific requirements, like licences, to organize a trade fair. The success of the German Trade Fair Industry shows that the market forces make for good exhibitions rather than rules and regulations.
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