IPTango

Wednesday, 3 August 2011

Chulucanas reconocida en Chile como primera Denominación de Origen extranjera

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr August 03, 2011 No comments:

Hoy martes 2 de agosto de 2011 el Instituto Nacional de Propiedad Industrial de Chile (Inapi) dictó la resolución administrativa por la cual concede registro para la clase 21 del nomenclátor de Niza a la Denominación de Origen peruana "Chulucanas" solicitada bajo el número 801167 por la República de Perú el 27 de diciembre de 2007. El signo distintivo se aplica a cerámicas, que se caracterizan por la arcilla cuya zona de extracción es el distrito de Chulucanas de la provincia de Morropón departamento de Piura y las técnicas empleadas que son las rescatadas de las antiguas tradiciones culturales de la zona geográfica. El nombre geográfico corresponde a la zona de producción, extracción y elaboración de los productos. El distrito de Chulucanas limita por el norte con el distrito de Frías (provincia de Ayabaca), al sur con el distrito de Catacaos (provincia de Piura), al este con los distritos de la Matanza, Morropón y Santo Domingo, y por el oeste con los distritos de Castilla (provincia de Piura) y Tambogrande (Sullana).

Como primera denominación de origen extranjera otorgada bajo el nuevo sistema de registro chileno, creado en el año 2005, el Director Nacional del INAPI, Maximiliano Santa Cruz, entregará al Embajador de Perú una copia de la resolución que reconoce a “Chulucanas” en Chile.

La cerámicas originarias del distrito de Chulucanas son, desde el año 2005, utilizadas por el gobierno peruano para posicionar a Perú como “marca país” en los mercados internacionales.

Fuente principal: Diego Ponce G. (Comunicaciones Inapi Chile)

Brazil: a royalty fee affair

Patricia Covarrubia July 28, 2011 No comments:

The company CLUBE VIDALONGA PROGRAMA DE CONDICIONAMENTO FÍSICO LTDA ('the club' from now on) had used publicly music in its commercial activity without permission of authors and other copyright holders. Because of this, the Central Bureau of Revenue Collection and Distribution ( ECAD) brought an action against the Club to pay the fee due, plus default interest. Both parties appealed but only ECAD obtained leave to appeal.

The Terceira Turma do Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) heard the appeal. The ECAD claimed that the Tribunal de Justiça do Rio de Janeiro (TJRJ ) did not consider the right of the author to price the use of his work by others. It also argued that the values set out in its Rules of Collection for the fines are binding on the parties who make use of its members’ works.

The minister Massami Uyeda, rapporteur of the appeal, acknowledged that indeed copyright holders have the prerogative to fix the value for the use of their work. However, Law 9.610/98, which regulates the copyright, does not expressly determine these values when there is an illicit use. Therefore, values of fines, interest and other charges arising from such actions are determined by civil legislation and not by the Rules of ECAD.

Finally, it was said that the unauthorized use of artistic work does not create a contractual relationship between the user and the author - it bypasses the contractual relationship and does not create links between them. With this reasoning, the minister denied the appeal of ECAD supported by all members of the Terceira Turma of the STJ.

An overview of the case can be read here.
The stages of the case here.

Handicraft becomes a 'handy' GI in Brazil

Patricia Covarrubia July 27, 2011 No comments:

This week the Brazilian Instituto da Propriedad Industrial (INPI) published the granting of the Geographical Indication (GI) in the form of ‘Indications of Source’(IS) to clay pots Goiabeiras. From the date of the publication, the Association of Paneleiras Goiabeiras has 60 days for the payment of the regulatory fee. After this requirement is fulfilled certification of registration will be issued.

The clay pots Goiabeiras are made with clay removed from Vale do Mulembá in the island of Vitoria, Espirito Santo. The tannin, used for sealing parts, is obtained from red mangrove bark. Both the extraction of clay and the removal of tannin are made in a sustainable manner, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation.

The INPI also informs that with the registration of clay pots Goiabeiras, it brings to eleven the number of Brazilian products with certified origin through GI. This is the second for a handcrafted product – last month INPI granted GI to craft of golden grass Jalapão.

Wonders of the Peruvian Spirit

Patricia Covarrubia July 19, 2011 No comments:

The Auditorium of INDECOPI was the place chosen for the launch of the book ‘Denominacion de Origin. Maravillas del Espiritu Peruano’ (‘Denomination of Origin. Wonders of the Peruvian Spirit’).

According to INDECOPI the book “makes a journey through pre-Inca myths, historical documents and the experience of existing producers who continue to use the same techniques of production and processing.” It adds, “the book provides a comprehensive overview of the historical factor, ethnographic, archaeological and human, which gives the category of 'unique' to our designations of origin.”

INDECOPI is the competent authority to grant DOs in Peru and until 2005 Pisco was the only one - today there are seven more DOs in Peru.

INDECOPI informs that the book was possible through the cooperation of USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development). The launch of the book was attended by representatives of different associations of DOs, as well as INDECOPI’s and USAID’s representatives.

Teamwork & Collaboration - does it work?

Patricia Covarrubia July 18, 2011 No comments:

PROSUR, a group of nine South American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay – formed to assist in the improvement of services to local and international users of the IP system will start very soon. In August the pilot project will start collaborative actions in the patent examination system, helping to speed tests throughout the region. The decision was made during a meeting on July 14, 2011 (as informed here), at the headquarters of the INPI, in Rio de Janeiro, with representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

The countries will cross 300 patent applications in selected areas of biotechnology and mechanical system based in the technology platform called WIPO CASE allowing each country to examine the applications selected.

In the same line, the meeting also is looking for the inclusion of brands in the next stages of the PROSUR project.

In this pilot project, experts from each country will exchange information about the examination through online platform. This model of collaboration is said to help examinations to become more flexible and with higher quality.

The results of this first stage will be discussed in late November - will it work? Lets give it a positive thinking, at the end as Jean Shepard lyrics say 'too much to gain to lose'.

Nations as brands

Patricia Covarrubia July 18, 2011 3 comments:

Early on this year we brought you the news that Peru launched a logo for its country. This month after completing the first stage of diffusion of the campaign, the mark Peru prepares an international release. Certainly the mark distinguishes and represents the qualities of its nations and thus, promoting the image of a country as a key to sponsor and to encourage tourism, exports and also to attract more foreign investment.

Isabella Falco, director of the Country Brand Promotion – Promperú, stressed the importance of following the guidelines of the new visual identity of the country and asked not to use the logo indiscriminately, without seeking permission. Adding to this statement she mentioned, “the brand has cost us time, money and effort and all Peruvians have to care”.

To this declaration I would like to direct your attention (very briefly and without going into detail) to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property which Peru became member in April 1995. Art 6ter refers to the prohibitions concerning the use without permission of the competent authorities of State Emblems, and/or Official Hallmarks indicating control and warranty adopted by them. Surely, Promperú can use this Art if needed.

Peru has already been promoting its tourism in some countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany and South Africa.

Mexican Senate Rejects ACTA

Aurelio Lopez-Tarruella Martinez July 15, 2011 No comments:

According to IP Watch, by the end of last month, the Mexican Senate approved a resolution (in Spanish) rejecting the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (in Spanish) due to the "absence of inclusion in the negotiations, potential negative impact on internet users’ access to knowledge, freedom of expression and other concerns". For that reason, senators asked their Government not to sign the agreement. The resolution is not binding, though.Further information on this topic can be found in Michael Geist's blog.

Mexican trade mark amendment speeds applications with Paris priority

Jeremy July 15, 2011 No comments:

IP Tango has been informed that, on 10 June of this year, amendments to the Regulations of the Mexican Industrial Property Law were published in the Mexican Official Gazette. These amendments, which took effect from 13 June, seek to speed up the prosecution process for of trade mark applications, including applications to register slogans.

In short, with effect from applications made from the date of coming into force of the amendments, it is now no longer necessary to file a certified copy of a Paris Convention priority application. Instead, applicants need only indicate the priority filing date, serial number and country of origin in their application papers. Since Mexican Law provides for the invalidation of a registration in the event that the applicant supplies false information, the integrity of the system is sufficiently provided for without the need for a certified copy.

Source: "Recent reforms to the Mexican Industrial Property Law dealing with trademark priority rights", Olivares & Cia newsletter (further details available from Alonso Carmago

Yee-haa! Payment of royalties

Patricia Covarrubia July 15, 2011 No comments:

Brazil, the Fourth Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) decided that there may be collecting royalties for public performance of music in rodeo, even if promoted by city hall with no economic benefit.

Background
The Central Bureau of Collection and Distribution (ECAD) filed a charge against the the city of Cesario , in São Paulo arguing that the city has promoted musical events called ‘Rodeo Country Fest’ performing musical works without the corresponding authorization and/or licenses. ECAD asked for the condemnation of the municipality to pay R$ 8,625.65 (value of assets not collected) plus a fine.

The Trial Court ordered the municipality to pay R$ 23,073. The Court of Justice of São Paulo (TJSP) amended the sentence, arguing that the collection of copyright is inappropriate, since there was no economic benefit, and that the political benefits arising from the event should not be confused with economic ones. ECAD appealed to the Supreme Court.

Superior Court of Justice (STJ)
The rapporteur of the appeal, Minister Luis Felipe Solomon, said that case law under Law No 5.988/1973 states that the existence of profit is essential to the impact of property rights. However, under the current Law 9.610/1998, there have been significant changes, including the point under discussion – economic benefit. He said that the Supreme Court has recognized in its jurisprudence, the feasibility of collecting royalties also in cases in which the public performance of copyrighted work is not done with gainful intent.

The decision was unanimous and the sentence was restored - city of Cesario Lange to pay R$ 23,073.

Legal process REsp 996852 found here.

PROSUR en funcionamiento a partir de agosto

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr July 15, 2011 No comments:

El sistema de cooperación sobre aspectos de información operacional y de Propiedad Industrial (PROSUR) se ha puesto en marcha con una reunión de trabajo del Comité Directivo realizada en las oficinas del INPI de Brasil, en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro. Representantes de las oficinas de Propiedad Industrial de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay y Perú sesionaron hoy con el siguiente orden del día:1.- Presentación de la Jornada. 2.- Evaluación sobre el Taller de Examinadores realizado en Santiago de Chile.3.- Avance del proyecto piloto WIPO CASE y Plan de Actividades para el Segundo Semestre del Año 2011.4.- Situación del llamado de la primera consultoría.5.- Conexión de las ONAPIs a EPOQUE. 6.- Consideración del Reglamento para el ingreso de terceros al proyecto.

Respecto al examen de patentes, se dará inicio a las acciones de colaboración en agosto de este año, ayudando a acelerar los exámenes de toda la región. Se decidió también incluir las marcas en las próximas etapas del proyecto Prosur que también incluye a Colombia y Surinam, y que es financiado por Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID). De lo acordado, los países cruzarán información de las trescientas solicitudes de patente seleccionadas en sectores de biotecnología y mecánica, basados en la plataforma Wipo Case. Además, a partir de agosto, los países trabajarán con más de 300 solicitudes en las áreas de electrónica y productos farmacéuticos. En este proyecto piloto, los expertos de cada país intercambiarán información sobre examen de patentes a través de la plataforma en línea.

Para evaluar los resultados de esta primera etapa se llevará a cabo una reunión de revisión a finales de noviembre en Ecuador.

El acta de la sesión de trabajo está disponible en castellano por gentileza del INPI.

Some IPTango moves

* Listed as one of the "Best blogs on Intellectual and Industrial Property Law". The University of Alicante Intellectual Property & Information Technology Project (UAIPIT).

* One of the only two Latin American blog listed in the "Top 100 Intellectual Property Blogs". Feedspot, as of May 2021.

* Listed as one of the "Top 15 Blogs For An Intellectual Property (IP) Enthusiasts". Buzzfeed.com, January 2017.

* Listed as one of the "World's Best IP Blogs". BananaIP.com, December 2015.

* IPTango founder Professor Jeremy Phillips was listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Listed as one of the "Influential intellectual property blawgs". A Dictionary of Intellectual Property Law, Peter Groves, 2011.

* Listed as one of the "Communities of Blawgers". Los blogs jurídicos y la web 2.0. para la difusión y la enseñanza del derecho, Gonzalo Ramírez Cleves, 2010.