Current status of the preparation for the Current status of the preparation for the accession to the Madrid system of Lao PDR accession to the Madrid system of Lao PDR

Presented by Mr. Ratsamy PHANTHAVONGPresented by Mr. Ratsamy PHANTHAVONG( DIP LAO PDR )( DIP LAO PDR )

Presentation

IntroductionIntroduction

BackgroundBackgroundgg

StrategyStrategy

Effort toward the accession the Madrid SystemEffort toward the accession the Madrid System Effort toward the accession the Madrid SystemEffort toward the accession the Madrid System

ConclusionConclusion

I d iIntroduction

Lao PDR is one country who has not yet joined the Madrid System, but we have commitment to be Madrid System, but we have commitment to be member by the year 2015 , because our main goal beside this is expecting to be member of WTO by the  p g yyear of 2013 while we will export Lao products to world market that reflect to our preparation to join the Madrid System for the international trademark protection . Because the Madrid System is a F ili i  f   d k  i  i     k  Facilitating for trademark protection in export markets through a simple, expeditious and cost‐effective procedure procedure .

Background

L  PDR i     f th   86 WIPO  b   h   tLao PDR is one of the 186 WIPO members who respect

and protect IP issues:

Initiate with IP activities since 1992.

Member of WIPO in 1995Member of WIPO in 1995

ASEAN Working Group on IP  Cooperation in 1997

Paris Convention on protection of Industrial  Paris Convention on protection of Industrial Property in 1998

Patent Cooperation treaty (PCT) in 2006 Patent Cooperation treaty (PCT) in 2006

Berne Convention being member from 14/03/2012

O l  M d id P l  i    b  M b  i  Only Madrid Protocol expecting to be Member in 2015

Madrid Union – 84 MembersMadrid Union – 84 Members

Lao PDR has commitment to 

A t l 6

be member of the Madrid Protocol by the year 2015

Agreement only 6Protocol only 28Agreement and Protocol 50

(Including EC)

IP STRATEGYIP STRATEGYIP STRATEGYIP STRATEGY

Strengthen and harmonize IP legislation to Strengthen and harmonize IP legislation to comply with TRIPS agreement and other Conventions that Lao PDR is bound, so as to f ili  L  PDR  i    WTO  b  b  facilitate Lao PDR accessing to WTO member by the year 2013 and Madrid System by the year 2015.

Use IP system to stimulate and promote trade   Use IP system to stimulate and promote trade, investment, technology transfer and  R&D in the countryy

Respect and Protect IP right owners by law to encourage  inventiveness and creativeness of h   i d human mind 

Combat the IP rights Infringement and illegal business practicesbusiness practices.

Cooperate and Seek to join WIPO treaties 

Effort toward the accession the Madrid SystemEffort toward the accession the Madrid SystemEffort toward the accession the Madrid SystemEffort toward the accession the Madrid System

National Laws & RegulationsThe Lao amended IP Law which is approved by the Lao National assembly in 20 December 2011 is being y gthe IP legal system in Lao PDR expecting to comply with TRIPS agreement and Madrid Systemg y

Organization

To be established as Department of Intellectual To be established as Department of Intellectual Property ( DIP )under the Ministry of Science and Technology ( MOST )Technology ( MOST )

Preparation

Research and Study the need and Necessary of Madrid System after WTO 

Organization Chart of DIP

DIP

TM DivisionIPR 

Settlement Division

Promotion & Development 

Division

Copyright Division

General Affairs Division

Patent Division

Administration Trademark  Patent & Petty 

Patent

Copyright & Related Right Management

AppealDissemination 

Industrial Design Copyright & Related right Promotion & Development

Media and Arbitration

Personal   IPAS Madrid System  

Plant variety Protection 

pGeographical Indication

Planning & cooperation  

Training 

SOME ADVANTAGES and DIFFICULTIES

National System Madrid System

SOME ADVANTAGES and DIFFICULTIES

• many procedures • one proceduref f• many forms • one form

• many languages • one language• many fees • one set of fees• many fees • one set of fees• many currencies • one currency• many registrations • one registration• many registrations • one registration• many modifications • one modification

DIFFICULTY The impact on the work process and work flow dealingp p gwith their implications and requirement concerning toICT facilities

Madrid Protocol Filing

Country A

IP OfficeApplicants

1 Form in English

1 Currency

(Swiss Franc)WIPO Country B

Country C

Office of Or through IP International

D i t d

Origin

i li i

gRepresentative Agencies

International Bureau

Designated Contracting Parties

Basic application or registration

10

Representative if any

Conclusion

Lao PDR is still not yet joining have been interested to join to Madrid

P t l  b t    h ld  t d  t  b tt    d t di   f th  M d idProtocol, but we should study to better  understanding of the Madrid

System and its costs and benefits to country’s economies.

As for DIP who is the focal point for IP issue, we are trying in our effort

to access to the said system. Hopefully, by this Program , I will report the

real advantage and difficulty of the Madrid system and experience

learned from JPO today to my high Authority for their consideration 

f   i  t  th  M d id S t  i  th    f tof  accessing to the Madrid System in the near future.

Ending, I wish to thank WIPO as well as JPO 

f   i i  L   ti i t    t it  t  for giving Lao participants  opportunity to attend this important and useful workshop in beautiful city Tokyo .

Ratsamy PHANTHAVONG Department of Intellectual Property ( DIP Lao PDR )Department of Intellectual Property ( DIP Lao PDR )Ministry of Science and Technology ( MOST )

P. O. Box 2279, Nahaidiou Rd., Vientiane Capital , Lao PDR.pTel: 856-21-213470 / 240784 Fax: 856-21-213472

Website: www.most.gov.laE il h th @h t ilE-mail: phanthavong_r@hotmail.com