IPTango

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Seminario de Propiedad Intelectual ASIPI CUBA 2013

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr March 06, 2013 No comments:

Entre el 16 y 20 de marzo en la Habana, Cuba (Hotel Meliá Cohiba), tendrá lugar el Seminario de Propiedad Intelectual de ASIPI 2013.

El evento cuenta con un nutrido programa tanto acádemico como social y está abierto a socios y no socios.

Un resumen del programa académico con más de 15 conferencias es el siguiente:

Lunes 18 de marzo:

Aspectos Relativos a las Industrias Farmacéuticas y Agrícolas

Maximizar la Vida de las Patentes vs. Normativas Antitrust y Efectos Sociales: 9:05 - 10:10

Dánice Vázquez, Universidad de La Habana, Cuba Roberto Ribeiro, Sanofi, Brasil

Nuevos Desafíos en el Sector de Biotecnología Agrícola:10:10 - 11:20

Sharon Crane, Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C, Estados Unidos Sonia González, Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, Cuba

Coffee Break:11:20 - 11:40

Marcas Farmacéuticas: Tendencias Actuales y Políticas de la OMS. Análisis del Riesgo de Confusión:11:40 - 13:00

Alfredo Corral, Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador

Moderador: Joseph Morales, Whitford, Taylor Preston, LLP, Estados Unidos

13:00 - 15:00

Políticas para Impulsar la Transferencia de Tecnología en los Países Menos Desarrollados

Papel de las Universidades y ONGs:15:00 - 16:10

Fernando Castillo, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Chile

Coffee Break:16:10 - 16:20

Licencias: Puntos Focales de Negociación:16:20 - 17:30

Luis Guinard, Vallarino, Vallarino & García-Maritano

Moderador: Hernán Ríos, Marks & Clerk PPL, Gran Bretaña

Martes 19 de Marzo:

Características Particulares de la Industria del Software y de las Invenciones Mecánicas y Eléctricas

Desafíos en la Protección de Propiedad Intelectual en las Redes Sociales (Industria del Software)

Rafael Ortín, Marquez, Henriquez, Ortin & Valedon, Venezuela: 9:00 - 10:30

Slobodan Petosevic, Petosevic, Bélgica

Coffee Break:10:30 - 10:50

Estrategias de Protección de las Invenciones Mecánicas y Eléctricas:10:50 - 12:30

Marc Chauchard, FICPI, Francia

Caridad Segón, Oficina Cubana de la Propiedad Industrial, Cuba

Peter Milne, Gowlings, Canadá

Moderadora: Victoria Fox, Fox&Lapenne, Uruguay

12:30 - 13:00

Caso Havana Club seguido de brindis:12:30 - 13:00

La Industria del Software

Licencias Cruzadas de Patentes:15:00 - 16:10

Aurelio López -Tarruella, Universidad de Alicante, España

Claudio Ulloa, Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C., México

Coffee Break: 16:10 - 16:20

Creative Commons; Impacto del Esquema de Licenciamiento:16:20 - 17:30

Jaime Angeles, Angeles & Lugo Lovatón, República Dominicana

Antonio Millé, Estudio Millé, Argentina

Moderadora: María Lourdes Ruiz, Claim S.A., Cuba

Fuente: ASIPICUBA

Colombia pone hoy en marcha Oficina Virtual de Propiedad Industrial

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr March 05, 2013 No comments:

Hoy es el lanzamiento desde las instalaciones de la Cámara de Comercio de Medellín, de la Oficina Virtual de Propiedad Industrial de la SIC colombiana.

Para el evento se cuenta con la presencia del Superintendente de Industria y Comercio, Pablo Felipe Robledo Del Castillo, acompañado por el Superintendente Delegado para la Propiedad Industrial, José Luis Londoño Fernández y la presidenta de la cámara de esta ciudad, Lina María Vélez de Nicholls, presentarán a todo el país la

Esta Oficina Virtual de Propiedad Industrial permite a los usuarios presentar y adelantar los trámites de solicitud de marcas, lemas comerciales, nombres y enseñas comerciales, patentes, diseños industriales y esquemas de trazados de circuitos integrados, así como también antecedentes marcarios, respuestas, recursos, consultas y notificaciones, entre otros servicios, con sólo entrar a la página: www.sic.gov.co

Con este nuevo sistema, "[l]os ciudadanos no tendrán la necesidad de venir a la capital del país, pues podrán presentar sus solicitudes de propiedad industrial de manera directa: Estamos 'desbogotanizando' la superintendencia" afirmó Robledo en el sitio web de la SIC.

De acuerdo con el superintendente, las ventajas de la Oficina Virtual se reflejan, además de la obtención del 5% de descuento sobre las tarifas establecidas por pago en línea, en "[l]a inmediatez y la seguridad de que todas las solicitudes serán tramitadas como si se hubieran realizado de manera presencial".

Para acceder al nuevo servicio de trámites en línea, el usuario deberá registrar su identificación de usuario y contraseña, con las cuales podrá hacer uso del sistema y presentar todas las solicitudes relacionadas con Propiedad Industrial que desee. Igualmente, encontrará las guías de trámites de solicitud de marcas y de patentes en Colombia, las cuales lo orientarán en las diferentes etapas por las que debe pasar una solicitud, así como los elementos básicos que debe tener en cuenta en cada una de ellas.

Fuente: SIC

Colombia: disposable underwear is not inventive

Patricia Covarrubia March 05, 2013 No comments:

Last week, we read in the Colombian newspaper Portafolio that the Council of State (highest court of administrative litigation and the government’s advisory body) ended a dispute between an entrepreneur and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC).

The State Council denied the request to grant a patent for disposable underwear. According to the lawsuit SIC had denied the patent because it lacked of inventiveness. The claimant on the other hand, claimed that SIC had failed to properly interpret the subject matter of the invention and its technical advantages. Also, it emphasised that this patent was already registered and accepted in other countries.

Is it obvious why super-heroes wear their underwear over their tights?

The key question confronted by the Council State was if the disposable underwear preventing leakage represented a qualitative change in the state of the art. The State Council agreed with SIC and denied the registration of the said product. It explained that the product did not fulfil one of the requirements (novelty, inventive step and industrial application) for granting a patent i.e. inventiveness. It went on to say that there was not inventiveness since the product represented a solution which was already found in other goods e.g. diapers. Finally it said that the inventive step is not tested by the fact that the product enjoyed patent protection in other countries.

The inventive step is tested towards what is obvious to someone with a good knowledge of the subject (an expert) and having regard to what forms part of the state of the art. There is the need to identify what differences exist between the matter cited as forming part of the ‘state of the art’ and the inventive concept of the claim. Obvious does NOT gain protection BUT only what is inventive.

Colombia, Medellin: the most innovative city

Patricia Covarrubia March 04, 2013 No comments:

The city of Medellin, Colombia, has been voted the ‘most innovative city’ which take place in the ‘city of the year’ contest. The panel jury included Citi Group executives, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and the international centre Urban Land Institute (ULI). The matters assessed and which played a major role in the decision were: mass transport system, reduction of CO2 emissions, cultural spaces and work of municipal utilities companies. Regarding these, it has to be said that the public transportation is used by more than 500,000 people each day; there is also a public bike-share program; a new library and a cultural centre; a large outdoor escalator which allows to ride down a steep hillside, the size of a 28-story building; among others.

Medellin won against the other two contestants i.e. New York and Tel Aviv. The news were received and celebrated in the auditorium Guillermo Cano, the Alpujarra Administrative Centre, in Medellin, when Mayor Aníbal Gaviria confirmed the news. He explained that the city won because ‘it has to show the world innovations. Even over cities with larger budget.’

In April, The Journal Wall Street will be publishing a special segment on the city where apart from covering its history and some of the city’s images, it will also discuss its progress and potential. This is good news for Medellin, but also for Colombia. This may attract more (foreign) investments in the form of trade and/or R&D. There is no doubt that innovation goes hand in hand with IP and with the signing and ratification of mayor IP agreements that have recently happen in this country, we will be watching Colombia very closely to see how this country flourishes.

Source newspaper Portafolio.

Chile: INAPI abre Consulta Pública para Directrices de Patentes

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr February 28, 2013 No comments:

El Instituto Nacional de Propiedad Industrial de Chile (INAPI) dio hoy inicio formal al proceso de Consulta Pública para sus Directrices de Examen de Patentes, documento que reúne, por primera vez, los criterios técnicos de INAPI en relación al procedimiento de análisis técnico, formal y procedimental para el registro de solicitudes de patentes.

La consulta pública busca recabar las sugerencias de los usuarios, agentes del sistema y de la comunidad en general, las que serán consideradas para mejorar y perfeccionar las Directrices.

El objetivo final, es generar un documento que reúna los criterios que INAPI ha venido utilizando y sirva de guía a los usuarios de patentes de invención, contribuyendo a elevar los estándares de calidad de los procedimientos y a brindar mayor seguridad jurídica a los solicitantes.

El Director Nacional de INAPI, Maximiliano Santa Cruz, extendió la invitación a la comunidad a enviar sus sugerencias, inquietudes y opiniones. "Queremos mejorar y enriquecer estas directrices, en el marco de un proceso abierto, transparente y de trabajo conjunto con los distintos actores del sistema", destacó.

Las Directrices de Examen de Patentes se encontrarán disponibles en la sección Consultas Ciudadanas de la Web institucional de INAPI entre el 28 de febrero y el 31 de marzo de 2013.

Fuente: Marcela Díaz (Jefa de Comunicaciones Institucionales INAPI)

FTA Korea and Colombia: a success for DOs in coffee is expected

Patricia Covarrubia February 27, 2013 No comments:

Last week, we finally witness the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Korea and Colombia. Negotiations finished last year in June, and this month the Agreement was signed. It now goes for approval: in Colombia to the Congress and in Korea to the National Assembly.

According to the Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), “the Asian market accounts for almost 60% of the world population and economies that have rapidly developed in recent decades”. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Sergio Díaz-Granados, said that the FTA will benefit all sectors. This is so, because the FTA includes trade in goods and services as well as investment and cooperation. It contains 22 chapters one of which is dedicated to Intellectual Property.

It is also good to note that Korea is a net exporter of capital (in 2012 goods bought represented USD $ 524,413,000) and a leader in technological innovation. Moreover, it is said that the Colombian mining and agriculture could have great opportunities in the Korean market. In the region, Chile (in 2004) and Peru (in 2011) do also have a FTA with Korea and the experience has been positive (e.g. Chile's agricultural sale to Korea has multiplied four times). Among the strong Korean industries are auto-mobiles appliances, steel, some petrochemical products and textiles. Brands familiar to Colombians from the Korean market are Samsung, Hyundai, Daewoo, LG Electronics, Posco, Poongsan, Golden-Oil and Skizen. For Colombia there are opportunities in pharmaceuticals, articles of iron or steel, artificial flowers, plastic in primary forms, cosmetics and toiletries. Coffee and coffee extracts are hoping to increase their market (in 2011 coffee alone represented USD $97 million in the Korean market and it is said that Korea plans to import about USD $ 1,000 million). In this line, it is established that all goods protected by SIC as a Denomination of Origin (DO) will be identified with this stamp and thus, protected under this Agreement e.g. ‘Cafe de Colombia’ and ‘Café de Nariño’.

The Minister asserts that consideration was given not only to entrepreneurs but also to workers and minorities including meetings with leaders of the labour unions and also with representatives of indigenous peoples. The latter being relevant due to the potential impact of mining that could have in their lands and also ensuring them the protection of theirs Dos such as ‘ Mochilas Wayuú’(backpacks), ‘Tejeduría Zenú’ (weaving), ‘Hamacas de San Jacinto’ (hammock), ‘Sombrero Aguadeño’ (hat), ‘Mopa Mopa Barniz-Pasto’ (polish of grass), among others. Regarding the cooperation it is said that the Korean government is creating mechanisms “to promote the transfer of know-how”.

Source SIC.
Q & A from the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism here.

IMPI y OMPI firman MoU relacionado con el Sistema de Madrid

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr February 26, 2013 No comments:

Luego del ingreso de México al Sistema de Madrid, ha comenzado a desarrollar acciones para su puesta en marcha, como la suscripción de un Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre el IMPI y la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI), por el cual se comprometen al envío de información entre ambas partes, por medios electrónicos.

El Memorándum establece que el IMPI transmitirá a la OMPI, información referente a formularios oficiales y diversos documentos que deberá presentar de acuerdo a los procedimientos del Sistema de Madrid.

En tanto el IMPI en conjunto con la OMPI, consultarán los registros internacionales mediante la base de datos electrónica que mantiene la Oficina Internacional en virtud del Reglamento Común del Arreglo de Madrid, lo que permitirá en todo momento analizar el estatus de dichos registros de manera sencilla y ágil. Ambas partes podrán utilizar el Protocolo de Transferencia de Archivos (FTP) de la red pública para la transmisión de documentos electrónicos, lo que ayudará a la agilización en cuánto a la búsqueda de archivos referentes a las solicitudes de marcas tanto en México como en las registradas por la OMPI.

El MoU entró en vigor el 18 de febrero de 2013 con vigencia indefinida y pudiendo ambas partes darlo por terminado mediante previa notificación, dirigida a la otra parte, con una antelación de 90 días a la fecha de término.

Fuente: IMPI

IP is a common interest among BRIC countries

Patricia Covarrubia February 26, 2013 No comments:

Last week the Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propiedade Industrial (INPI) received leaders from the Chinese patent office (SIPO) and thus, consolidating a partnership which "can trace an outline of common interests among the BRIC countries" [aren’t we suppose to call this bloc the BRICS- now that South Africa has joined?]. In the agenda was, among other matters, “the expansion of technological cooperation agreement between the countries and encourage new forms of decentralization and the use of intellectual property in states and municipalities.”

INPI informs that the partnership between INPI and SIPO was consolidated in 2012 and was focused primarily on the training of patent examiners (three examiners of INPI have been trained in Beijing, China). They are now looking to extend the practice to the academic field, and thus, there is interest in establishing an interaction between universities and master's and doctoral programs. According to INPI, the aim is to develop research projects and international publications on innovation in the area of aviation.

Also, Brazilians have an interest in strengthening ties with China Intellectual Property Training Center (CIPTC) as well as to initiate a “pilot project examining patent shared via e-PCT (i.e. online services)”. SIPO will also send to INPI a model based on a contract established between the Chinese Training Center and the John Marshall Law School, Chicago [uh? replicating the Chinese model, which is a copy of the American model?! Well I guess the Chinese adapted it to their needs, right? …I wonder: what does the John Marshall Institute have to say about this?].

Brazil: how to protect well-known marks

Patricia Covarrubia February 25, 2013 No comments:

On February 19th the Brazilian Third Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) has unanimously decided to deny the appeal sought by the company holding the trade mark ‘ABSOLUT’. The company was trying to guarantee the recognition of its ‘well known’ mark as so, through the courts.

The decision ratifies the principle followed by the Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propiedade Industrial (INPI) on this matter i.e. recognition as a ‘well known’ mark must be sought at the Office not the courts. Moreover, this practice can only be pursued in opposition proceeding against third party trade mark applications or as a defence in cases of cancellation (nullity) asked by other users.

This principle is established by Resolution 121/05 that regulates the procedures for the application of art 125 Law No. 9,279. Article 2 of Resolution 121/05 defines a ‘well known’ mark as the one that ‘enjoys an unchallenged authority, knowledge and prestige’ due to ‘its tradition and condition in the market’ as well as its ‘quality and reliability’. The name is ‘linked essentially to the good image of the products or services that applies, employing a strong magnetism’. The Resolution continues to establish that the special protection to ‘well known’ marks afforded by art. 125 Law 9,279 ought to be sough at INPI and only through an indirect action in administrative procedures e.g., as a matter of defence or opposition.

The decision contributes, according to INPI, to increase legal certainty of the INPI’s actions.

Source INPI.
Resolution 121/05 here (Portuguese).

Colombia – Sello de Denominación de Origen Protegida

Gilberto Macias (@gmaciasb) February 21, 2013 No comments:

Hace unos días el Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo realizó el lanzamiento oficial del Sello de Denominación de Origen Protegida, un distintivo que garantiza la calidad y originalidad de los productos colombianos y que hace de cada uno de ellos “un producto único”.

Esta iniciativa está enfocada a facilitarle al consumidor la identificación de los productos colombianos que han sido protegidos como Denominación de Origen, diferenciar aquellos productos que tienen un valor agregado por su origen o por la protección que se le ha otorgado y ofrecer una garantía de calidad del producto al ratificar que viene de donde dice que venir y tiene las características que dice tener.

El sello no otorga una protección más allá de la que hoy en día se le da a los productos con denominación de origen pero sí permite tener una distinción adicional para identificarlos.

Otro objetivo de la iniciativa es diferenciar los productos falsos de los originales y prevenir la compra de imitaciones, y de generar fidelidad entre los compradores que preferirán adquirir productos que lleven este sello.

Actualmente Colombia ostenta 18 Denominaciones de Origen, entre los cuales encontramos tejidos, artesanías, sombreros, cerámicas, cestería, flores, alimentos, bebidas de frutas, entre otros.

Más información: Unipymes SIC