IP Statistic: does it give information on economic and social development?

The Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propiedade Industrial has released the ‘official balance sheet’ containing the statistic of its service for 2015. It is reported that the balance sheet was produced and prepared by the Economic Affairs Advisory (AECON).

The statistics show stability compare to 2014. Examples given are:
• Trade Marks an increase of 1%
• Patents a decrease of 0.4%
• Geographical Indication neither increase nor decrease
• Computer programs a minimal increase: from 1,609 in 2014 to 1,616 in 2015
• Industrial Design a decrease of 8.4%

Will the Olympics 2016 change the future in Brazil?

Actually, the statistic reveals not a bad year since 2015 started to see Brazil facing a ‘political and economic disaster’. Following the well-known newspaper 'The Economist' one could perceive Brazil's crisis, reported as to be “the longest recession in a century; the biggest bribery scandal in history; the most unpopular leader in living memory.” It is then, no deplorable to see that there was not much increase on creation/invention. But, is it just me who links economic and social development with IP? Do they walk hand in hand?

For "Where money issues meet IP rights" follow a great IP Finance blog here.

Will Avon's ladies lure the Latins?

A post earlier today in Fashionista-at-Law warns that veteran cosmetics company Avon is setting its sites on Latin America. Citing Brand Channel as its source, Fashionista says:

"After seeing its sales take a bit of a battering in North America and China, Avon has been refocusing on sales to the cash-strapped by (i) promoting lower-priced products, and (ii) heavily targeting Latin America, where, the company says, people spend a high proportion of their income on beauty products".

IP Tango says that Avon should beware. The fact that Latin American consumers spend a high proportion of their income on beauty products doesn't mean that they are going to provide the cash expenditure to bring the Avon brand out of its doldrums: if you're spending a high proportion of your income on cosmetic products, the explanation might either be that you love the luxury of these products -- or that you're not earning so very much in the first place.

Altria plans to boost Colombia cigarette brands

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the Altria Group (formerly Philip Morris International) was set to acquire the privately owned Colombian cigarette maker Productora Tabacalera de Colombia (Protabaco) for U$452 million as part of its plan to expand into the Latin American market.

Altri's sales have been shrinking in traditionally lucrative markets such as Japan and in the European Union, where smoking bans and higher taxes have diminished consumption. Protabaco is the second-largest tobacco company in Colombia, selling 6.1 billion cigarettes there and enjoying a 32% market share. Its brands include Mustang Premier and President.

Altria's plan is to continue developing Protabaco's brands rather than pushing outside brands, even such well known ones as Marlboro: local brands, properly managed, are expected to provide the desired growth.

CHEROKEE rolls out in Peru

According to Trading Markets, licensor and global brand management company Cherokee Inc has announced the launch of its Cherokee brand in Peru, distributing its products through the local branches of Falabella's Tottus Stores. A spokesman for Cherokee Brand Development explains that this is part of its "world brand" strategy. Cherokee next plans to take its brands in Spain with Grupo Eroski and to the Middle East with Geant, a division of Al Hokair, within the coming year.

Brands owned or managed by Cherokee can be found here.