New Procedures for the Validity of Trademark Renewals in Syria

September 16, 2009

The Syrian Trademark Office announced that it has recently construed the procedures of the implementing regulations No. 1306/2009 regarding the new Intellectual Property (IP) law as follows:

  1. For trademarks under the first renewal application, their validity will be recounted retroactively (10) years from the filing date. Subsequently, such trademarks will NOT be considered as lapsed, rather one late renewal fine will be imposed. Thereby, the next renewal due date will be counted from the first filing date.
  2. As for trademarks which had been already renewed (even for one renewal) and become due for renewal under the new law, they will not be subject to late renewal fine, rather they will be counted from the registration date, i.e. the next renewal due date for those trademarks will be counted from the registration date under the new IP law.

The new regulations resulted from the issuance of the new IP law No. 8/2007 regulating the trademark validity period to be as from the filing date, whereas the previous practice under the former IP law was to count the validity as from the registration date.

Finland to Set up Innovation Centre in Delhi

September 16, 2009

The country of Finland is looking to collaborate with India in bio technology and nano technology, and will meet with Indian officials in October to discuss plans for business and joint research and development.

Finland plans to set up a Finnish Innovation Center (called Finnote) in New Delhi by next year under a science and technology agreement the two countries signed in 2008.

Seppo I. Keranen, a senior consultant at Finpro, an organization under Finland’s Ministry of Employment and Finance, said Under the project we will put together researchers from both the countries and work jointly on developing new technology in various fields. The countries have great potential to work together and cater to third countries.

India has highly technology efficient people and we have high technology knowhow. So both the countries can work together in various sectors. India is a very important market for Finnish companies. Trade between the two countries stands at over US$1 billion per year. Finland also wants to work with India in the areas of healthcare, ecotourism and environmental protection.

Better IPR protection for EU-China Trade

September 16, 2009

EU trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton has called for better IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) protection and the removal of barriers to greater EU China trade.

Speaking at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade in in Xiamen, Fujian Province, Commissioner Ashton said that barriers in China were costly for European business and also deprived the Chinese economy of inward investment.

The Commissioner called for fewer restrictions on investment and said that protection of intellectual property, especially patents, was crucial if companies were to be encouraged to bring their ideas and technology to China.

Practical Measures to Fight Counterfeiting

September 16, 2009

The European Commission has adopted a Communication outlining a series of practical, non legislative measures to combat counterfeiting and piracy and improve the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the European internal market.

The Commission proposes more focused enforcement through greater collaboration between the private sector, national authorities and consumers. Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said that intellectual property rights were amongst the most precious commercial possessions of European businesses.

Unfortunately, there are always those who will seek to undermine honest intentions. We need to stop this dangerous trend not by more legislation, but by mobilising stronger collaboration helping us to fight back “, he said.

Australian Regulator Warns About Questionable Trademark and Domain Renewals

August 31, 2009

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recently made a warning to Australian trademark holders about unsolicited letters that may appear to be trademark renewal notices, including letters purporting to be domain name registration renewals, as something businesses should be wary of.

Letters that look like domain registration renewals are usually touting for new customers, and rely on limited knowledge of the domain name systems.

“It is all too easy for the inexperienced not to notice or understand the subtle difference between a.com or .com.au domain name”, ACCC deputy chair Michael Schaper said. “Once the money is paid the business becomes the owner of a new domain and has not renewed their existing one.”

The ACCC has taken court action against a number of traders involved in false billing activity for conduct associated with their online directories and for domain name renewals.

The ACCC gives a few simple steps to help avoid signing up to unnecessary and potentially costly services:

  • don’t assume that any renewal notice is from your original supplier. You may receive many such offers from operators competing for your business or they could be scammers. Check all the details.
  • ensure that only authorized employees are responsible for payments and they should have ready access to important dates and suppliers. Update them on any scam or unsolicited service that may be targeting businesses.
  • if the service is something that you would like, shop around to see what deals are available and who are the most reliable suppliers.
  • if you receive letters of demand you may need to get legal advice to understand your rights.
  • alert your industry association or local business advisor about any offers that you think may be untoward or misleading. They may be able to warn others in your network.

“If you have any doubts about trademarks or offers of a legal nature it pays to get independent advice”, advises Dr. Schaper.

Romania Approved the Amendments to the Law on Trademarks and Geographical Indications

August 7, 2009

The Romanian government approved the Amendments to the Law on Trademarks and Geographical Indications.

The purpose of this amendment is to introduce new changes in registration procedure for national applications.

Moreover, it also explains the reasons why a trademark application can be rejected.
“For example, the application would be rejected if it is identical or similar to a prior community registration, even if it is filed for the goods and services that are different from the goods and services of the prior mark.

It would be rejected if the prior mark has a reputation at the community level, and if the use of the applicants mark would take unfair advantage of the distinctive character or the reputation of the prior mark.”

Japan Patent Office launches Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

July 30, 2009

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) concurred with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) that the two Offices would launch a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program on July 1, as a result of the meeting between the heads of the two Offices held in Singapore on June 16, 2009.

The JPO has already started PPH programs with eight Patent Offices in the world, and these Offices including the JPO receive, in total, around 64% of worldwide patent filings.

IPOS, with which the present PPH arrangement has been concluded, is the first PPH partner of the JPO in the Southeast Asian region.

This is a milestone in efforts to develop the PPH network, which contributes to the more expeditious and adequate acquisition of rights for inventions of business entities in participating countries.