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Showing posts with label sanctions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sanctions. Show all posts

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Patricia Covarrubia

Another one bites the dust

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From Peru we heard that another collective society had failed. Last week we covered that INDECOPI’s Copyright Commission sanctioned INTER ARTIS Peru due to “not submitting documentation that would determine the rates set by that entity, [and by not] complying with the principles of reasonableness, equity and proportionality set out in the Law on Copyright.” (here).

Today the news is that INDECOPI’s IP chamber confirmed, on appeal, the sanction imposed on the Board of the Peruvian Association of Authors and Composers (APDAYC) – the collective society for the authors/composers of musical work. The original sanction suspended APDAYC’s duties for one year from the installation of an administrative board which will take charge of the association.
At first instance (sorry guys we missed this case) the INDECOPI’s Copyright Commission sanctioned with the suspension of its board of directors AND with a fine, due to the fact that the distribution of royalties was not proportional to the exploitation of the repertoire -- the infringement of Law on Copyright (Legislative Decree 822).

APDAYC appealed the decision which finally upheld the sanction imposed by the Commission on Copyright.

A new board
As part of the sanction APDAYC’s duties are suspended and the Chamber “ordered the installation of an administrative board for a period of one year, which shall consist solely of representatives of the various categories of APDAYC’s partners, who shall not be suspended board members.”

Image result for dustingINDECOPI notes that this decision aims “to apply systems of actual distribution that preclude arbitrary action, under the principle of equitable distribution among right holders in proportion to the use of their works, performances or productions.”

The new year appears to be cleaning some dust from these collective societies…will UNIMPRO (phonogram producers); EGEDA (audio-visual producers); and APSAV (visual artist), among others be checking their policies? I would!
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Friday, 15 January 2016

Patricia Covarrubia

Illegal software - protecting Peruvian business

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The Peruvian Institute of anti-competition and intellectual property (INDECOPI) has been recognised by the Business Software Alliance (BSA). The BSA is an association created to defend the objectives of the software industry and its hardware partners. It is known as “the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace.” Recognition comes for the work INDECOPI, through the Directorate of Copyright, is achieving against the use of illegal software.
Image result for illegal software

Last year INDECOPI run its 5th campaign on legal software [V Campaña de Software Legal] promoting the use of accredited software. The campaign, intended at small and medium enterprises (SMEs), consists on verifying the software installed on SMEs computers. To do so, there is a virtual platform where SMEs file the type of software they use and the details of the license they do have. Failing to submit the requirements and/or if the Directorate of Copyright is not satisfied by the information filed, the Directorate may conduct inspection activities, without prior notice. If a company is using illegal software a fine (of up to 180 UIT (tax units)) and criminal penalties (of up to 8 years in prison as established in the Penal Code), may be imposed.

According to the Directorate, “the four previous campaigns has found the use of legal software in more than 14,000 companies in the country.”

The BSA reports the efforts being made by INDECOPI as well as those by the Peruvian judiciary – imposing sanction against those who are found selling illegal software.
Image result for peruvian business

The campaign not only tries to regulate the use of software but it also advice business against the use of illegal software because it risks the company information and may cause technical problems on their devices.
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Tuesday, 20 April 2010

Patricia Covarrubia

Bolivia: winery industry asks for stronger sanctions against falsification and adulteration

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The president of the Competitiveness Committee - Chain Grapes, Wine and Singanis, Jorge Canedo, requested to the MP (Tarija sector) to bring before the Legislature amendments to the Criminal Code. The purpose is to reinforce sanctions against smuggling, counterfeiting and adulteration of these products.

Mr Canedo also is seeking for resources which are freely available as a contribution of the regional government. The idea is to promote the industrialization of this sector in order to keep pace in international competition. He explains that this sector “contributes to the country with over 50 million dollars a year”. Therefore, it is important tougher penalties against people who damage productivity and the development of this industry.

Canedo lamented the lack of central government support. He claims and requests that the State recognise the designation of origin of products from this geographical area (note however that Singani was recognised in 1992 as a DO). The objective being to achieve better entries in both domestically and internationally markets.
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