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#Myanmar: Reform of the Trademark Law
In the context of the reform of the Intellectual Property regime, of Myanmar, the “Pyihtaungsu Hluttaw Law” (“Draft Trademark Law”) was recently published for consultation.
oriGIn submitted its contribution (the document is confidential), to welcome the provisions for the registration of GIs, recognized as a distinct intellectual property right, as well as the possibility for foreign GIs to seek recognition and protection in Myanmar. We have also asked to explicitly extend to GIs the administrative, civil and criminal remedies against infringements provided by the Draft Trademark Law.
The Draft Trademarks Law is expected to be enacted by the end of 2017.
#FTAs: Updates on negotiations
EU-Mexico
The EU and Mexico are currently negotiating the modernisation of the existing Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement (Global Agreement) signed in 1997 (and entered into force in 2000).
On GIs, the parties have exchanged their lists (list of Mexican GIs ; List of EU GIs). As the opposition period has come to an end, they are now evaluating the oppositions received. oriGIn is ensuring the coordination between the negotiating parties and the GIs groups of its network involved, in order to prepare solid responses to the oppositions. A negotiation round is taking place in Mexico City until the 1st of December, the EU and Mexico wish to reach a political agreement before the end of 2017.
EU-Mercosur
The EU and Mercosur have exchanged their GIs lists, and the opposition procedure is under way. With respect to the list of GIs submitted by Mercosur countries interested parties had until the 20th of November to send their statements of opposition to the European Commission, which will now assess these documents. With respect to the list submitted by the EU interested parties have 30 days, starting on 20 November 2017, to send their statement of opposition to Mercosur countries authorities.
The EU and Mercosur delegations will meet again between the 29 November and the 8 December and aim at concluding the talks before the end of the year. oriGIn is following closely such negotiations and will help its members to prepare solid responses to any opposition that might be raised.
#France #NonAgri: “Porcelaine de Limoges” recognised as GI
Following “Sièges de Liffol” (wood chair) and “Granite de Bretagne” (stone) , “Porcelaine de Limoges” is the third non-agricultural GI recognised by the National Institute of Intellectual property (INPI) of France under the “loi de la consommation” (Consumer Act) of March 2014. The GI will become effective following the publication in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property (BOPI) on 1 December.
“Porcelaine de Limoges” is a hard-past porcelain entirely manufactured and decorated in the Haute-Vienne Department, in the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where porcelain manufacturing started in the XVIII century, thanks to the presence in the area of kaolin mines. Today the sector is an important source of employment in the region with some 1,200 jobs spread across some 30 companies.
