University of Buckingham: Publication of the week

Patricia Covarrubia, “Protection of non-agricultural GIs: a window on what is happening in Latin America”, European Intellectual Property Review, E.I.P.R. 2016, 38(3), 129-131.
This piece examines “the laws in South American states on the protection of geographical indications (GIs) relating to non-agricultural products, including textiles and craft works. Presents data on the number of such GIs that are registered proportional to the agricultural product GIs. Considers why these states extend GI protection to non-agricultural products. Notes that a proposal to do likewise is under consideration in the EU.”
Dr Covarrubia compares different national legislations in Latin American countries as well as observing the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 1994 (TRIPS, WTO) and the Lisbon Agreement for the protection of appellation of origin and their international registration (WIPO).

The publication is based on a paper presented in September 2015 at the Symposium on Geographical Indications (GIs), sponsored by Grana Padano and CIIPM. The symposium covered the policy aspects as well as the practical implications, challenges, and opportunities that GI involves. Nick Coppola who is currently writing his PhD on "The EU Agricultural Quality Policy Reform" was the one that organized such a wonderful event (a nutshell of the event can be read here). Nick has also wrote a couple of post for this blog in the topic of GIs. Indeed, we can not wait to read his thesis which surely will become a monologue published by a reputable editorial in the UK (hopefully I will read it before it becomes expensive).

For more information on GI in Latin America, specifically in the trade bloc Mercosur, there is a webinar provided by the Latin America IPR SMEs here.

Invitación: estas listo?

De ASDIN nos llega una invitación que no podemos desestimar.

FélixRozanski, uno de los 'think tank' de PI más prominentes de Latinoamérica nos recuerda el concurso anual que cerrara el próximo 31 de marzo en el cual se busca que todos los interesados presenten artículos.

La invitation lee así:

PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL, ASDIN, 2016!
Hasta el 31 de marzo 2016 inclusive, se encuentra abierto el CONCURSO ANUAL DÍA MUNDIAL DE LA PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL, con la finalidad de que puedan presentarse artículos sobre temas relevantes relacionados con la propiedad industrial e intelectual: doctrina, jurisprudencia, controversias, DESAFIOS y oportunidades sociales y económicas que ofrece el desarrollo y la observancia de la propiedad intelectual.
Los trabajos que sean galardonados podrán ser publicados en la COLECCIÓN DE PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL E INTELECTUAL, esfuerzo conjunto de elDIAL.com y ASDIN, Asociación de Derechos Intelectuales.
Los PREMIOS para los trabajos que se selección se entregan el Día Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual que se celebra anualmente el día 26 de abril de cada año, aniversario del establecimiento de la OMPI, Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual de las Naciones Unidas.
Se invita a participar a todos los interesados de Latinoamérica.
Más información en cedieduca@cedi.org.ar
VISITENOS EN www.cedi.org.ar

Empieza a preparar y colocar en papel (bueno, quiero decir tipea en la computadora) ese debate, esa idea que tienes en la mente desde hace un par de semanas. A la final, recuerda que las ideas no son  protegidas, sino la expresión de estas.

Buena suerte.

Publication of the week – genetics resources in Chile

This week the University of Buckingham has published as the publication of the week (here) an article that is available in the European Intellectual Property Review (EIPR 2015, 37(1)) by Sweet & Maxwell. The article [essentially an opinion] entitled “Genetic resources and the debate over legacy: Chilean constitutional reform”, is actually based upon a post that I wrote in this blog (here).


The abstract:
"Examines a Bill being considered by the Chilean Parliament to amend the Constitution of Chile art.19 in order to: (1) assert ownership over the country's genetic resources; (2) protect against the unauthorised use of these resources or the traditional knowledge (TK) of indigenous communities; and (3) promote the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the exploitation of these resources or TK. Compares these measures with the relevant international law framework."

It is indeed very exciting to belong to a community of IP academic, scholars, practitioners, clients and consumers, who share information in the IP Latin America region. Thanks for bringing ideas and thoughts to this Latin American blog and please… keep doing so.

Hard-copies are available directly from Sweet & Maxwell. Electronic copies via any major database (e.g. Westlaw).

The Madrid Protocol in Latin America: Is Colombia changing business strategies or acting as a guinea pig?

The most recent issue of the European Intellectual Property Review (EIPR) i.e. January, 2013 Vol 35 No 1, brings us an article which aims to “analyse the consequences of Colombia’s accession to the Madrid Protocol, a system which grants an international trade mark with the filing of one application only: the central question is whether Colombia’s accession will produce a “snowball effect” in Latin America.”

In fact, the question appears to be already answered since Mexico, as previously reported here, is now also part of this protocol.

The article's title is the heading of this post and is written by Andres Echeverri Uribe, Organizacion Corona, Bogota, and I.  While the article embarks on studying the advantages and disadvantages of accession for the Colombia’s market in an era of globalization, it also explores the reality of its own small and medium enterprises (SMEs) when trade mark is at issue.

The article can be accessed through Westlaw or Lawtel.