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Introduction to IPR protection in South-East Asia for EU SMEs
25 April 2013
ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk
25 April 2013 1
Welcome to the Webinar
25 April 2013 2
Philippe Healey
ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk
Webinar interaction tools
25 April 2013 3
Turn on full screen here
Raise your hand here
Send the IP expert a question here
Webinar 24 hour technical support number: http://support.gotomeeting.com ‘Contact Us’ section
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Today’s Speakers
• Simon Cheetham
• China /ASEAN Helpdesk Team Leader
• Director ERINYES Intl
• e-mail: [email protected]
• Tel: +44 (0)1296 425006
• Patrice Vidon • Firm: Vidon IP Law Group (Europe – Asia) • Email: [email protected] • Location: Paris, France • 40 IP attorneys, agents and lawyers in 8 offices in Europe and Asia: Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Agenda
The ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk: Here for you!
General overview of the region
Most common issues and critical success factors for
EU SMEs
IP landscape in the 10 ASEAN countries
Basic check list for EU SMEs
Typical IP issues: Case studies
Take Away Message/recommendations for EU SMEs
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Know before you go
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Question: How familiar are you with Intellectual Property
rights in general?
A. I am very familiar with IPR
B. I have a basic understanding of the subject
C. I know it’s important for my business, but
struggle to understand it
D. No clue
Poll 1
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Poll 2
Question: Do you have business dealings in South-East Asia?
A. Yes
B. No
C. I plan to
D. Not anymore
ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk for EU SMEs:
Information and services free of charge for SMEs
Raising awareness and preparing SMEs for IPR issues in the ASEAN region: “know before you go”
Business-focused and practical first-line advice
Delivering IPR business tools and self-help solutions (guides, E-learning)
Enabling EU SMEs to make informed IPR decisions (protection, enforcement, IP management)
Key message: It is possible to deal with IPR in the ASEAN region and minimise risk for your business!
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Snapshot: Helpdesk Free Services Enquiry Helpline
IP Guides & Newsletters E-learning &
Business Tools
Training Workshops & Live Webinars
Website & Blog
9 25 April 2013
Introduction to IPR in ASEAN / Current Status
• Population nearly 600 million
• GDP tripled in a decade
• Big changes
• Diverse - from developed to least developed
• The old six – the new four
• Shift from “rule by decree” to “rule of law”
• Lack of resources in some countries
• TRIPS and FTAs
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Most Common IP Issues Affecting European SMEs in South-East Asia
• SMEs often do not prioritise registering their IPR
• Territorial nature of IP rights is misunderstood
• Selecting the right business partner (e.g. conducting due diligence)
• Protection of trade secrets
• Inaccurate perceptions about IPR in the region
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Critical Success Factors…
• Have an IP strategy - Make sure you own it
• Educate staff and partners on value of IP
• Consistent control over confidential information
• Restrict access to information/technology
• Have an ASEAN strategy!
• Police rights and partners – remember to include rights of inspection and controls in contracts
• Pre-emptive action best
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IP landscape in the 10 ASEAN countries (overview)
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IP landscape in the 10 ASEAN countries (overview) Legal (international Conventions)
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Countries
Convention of Paris
WIPO (OMPI)
PCT
WTO (ADPIC)
Conventions of Berne and Geneva
Arrangement and Protocol of Madrid
Singapore
1995
1990
1995
1995
1998(B)
2000(P)
Malaysia
1989
1989
2006
1995
1990(B)
NO
Philippines
1965
1980
2001
1995
1997(B) ; 1955(G)
2012(P)
Indonesia
1950
1979
1997
1995
1997(B)
NO
Thaïland
2008
1989
2010
1995
1931(B)
NO
Vietnam
1949
1976
1993
2007
2004(B)
1949(A) ; 2006(P)
Brunei
2012
1994
2012
1995
2006(B)
NO
Cambodia
1998
1995
NO 2004 1953(B)
NO
Laos 1998 1995 2006 2013 1954(B)
NO
Myanmar NO
2001
NO
1995
NO
NO
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IP landscape in the 10 ASEAN countries: Stats (continued…)
Case Study: Patent applications in Thailand
IP landscape in the 10 ASEAN countries IP “Geopolitics”
Priority Watch List
Indonesia
Thailand
USTR Special USC 301 report Watch List
Brunei
(Malaysia) removed in 2012
Philippines
VietNam
EU watch list
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Questions: What type of IP issues are you interested in / by priority in the ASEAN countries (please select 1 item only)
- Acquisition of IP rights
- Enforcement / counterfeiting
- Technology transfer / contracts
- Other
Poll 3
Basic check list for EU SMEs in the ASEAN Region
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“The 10 Golden Rules” © P. Vidon 1997 Five keys for a strong organization
Strategic use of IP Get knowledgeable Work out a consistent IP policy Allocate responsibilities Set up an organization
Five keys for efficient protection and creation of value through IP Anticipate Optimize costs Manage deadlines Use contracts Supervise, benchmark and enforce your IPRs
Typical IP issues in the ASEAN Region:
CASE STUDIES
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25 April 2013 20
COPYRIGHT PROTECTION Organise « triple evidence » for claiming software COPYRIGHT protection Organise legal transfer of COPYRIGHT from Author to Assignee under Law of country of origin Check whether application of Berne Convention in country of origin
PATENT File early and properly drafted patents for patentable computer-related inventions compliant to new Thai Guidelines - Consider PCT route to enter Thailand
OTHER IPR Trademark; design patent; data/database protection; trade secret; …
ENFORCEMENT Consider combining civil and criminal actions Consider « open » enforcement strategy : offer regularisation of license rather if appropriate Use all steps allowed by civil procedure : injunctions; investigation of computers; in-court expertise of hard disks; … Search and establish all technical evidences of disguise and concealment of counterfeiting acts Implement technical or administrative traceability of genuine softwares Apply for Customs action and train Customs Officers
Strategic use of IPR for software protection in Thailand
25 April 2013 21
Signs protectable by TM in Thailand Should NOT be Deceptive or Laudatory
CASE: “DERMACREAM” (for cream or liquid for skin in Class 3) not registrable as it describes the
characteristic of the designated goods (Supreme Court Decision No. 5140/2547).
Should NOT be Prohibited under the Thai Trademark Act (i.e. national and foreign flags and emblems; representations of the King, Queen or Heir to the Throne, mark contrary to public order, morality or public policy etc.)
CASE:
contrary to public order, morality or public policy as refers to condition of extreme excitement characterized notably by emotional and sensory/sexual disturbance (Trademark
Board Decision No. 122/2553/Application No. 682874).
CASE: vs.
Maple Leaf similar to National Flag of Canada (Trademark Board Decision No. 203/2553 /Application
No.690579).
Identical with or similar to a trademark registered by another person
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Quick Facts: • PT Data Citra Mandiri is an Authorized reseller of Apple’s products and uses the name iBox in outlets and shopping malls in Indonesia. • Plaintiff: PT Multicom Persada International sued Daya Citra Mandiri for trademark infringement.
Decision of the Jakarta Commercial Court (Lawsuit No 60/Merek/2012PN.Niaga.Jkt.Pst): • The two marks at issue are dissimilar due to different placement of the letter “I”: iBox is composed of a small "i" next to letters which form the word “Box”, all written horizontally, whilst the Plaintiff's IBOX brand consists of a logo with the letter "I" placed vertically and above the words “BOX”. • The Defendant's retail stores services in Class 35 are NOT the same as the products of the Plaintiff in Class 9.
« IBOX vs. iBox» in Indonesia: Similar or not? PT Multicom Persada International’s
trademark:
I BOX
For electronic products in Class 9
PT Data Citra Mandiri’s service mark “iBox”:
For retail services in Class 35
25 April 2013 23
« Nutello vs. NUTELLA » in Singapore: Similar or not?
Quick Facts: • Sarika Connoisseur Cafe Pte, a Singaporean coffee chain, used the 'Nutello' name for a drink containing espresso, milk powder, cocoa powder and Nutella spread. • Plaintiff: FERRERO S.P.A., the manufacturers of Nutella, filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement and passing off the Nutello drink as being associated with Nutella. Rulings of the Singapore High Court and Singapore Court of Appeal (Ferrero Spa v. Sarika Connoisseur Cafe Pte. S9/2010 /[2012] SGCA 56) : • The marks at issue were visually and aurally similar; • The goods were similar (the “Nutello” beverage was similar to a “chocolate product” and fell within the “chocolate products” registered for the “Nutella” word mark) Sarika liable for trademark infringement + tort of passing off + injunctive relief for protection of well known trademarks.
Sarika Connoisseur Cafe Pte :
Nutello
Use of the name “Nutello” for chocolate drinks
FERRERO S.P.A:
Proprietor of various registered “Nutella” trademarks (including the “NUTELLA” word mark and the composite “nutella and device” mark).
25 April 2013 24
Trademark registered in the
European Union Trademark refused in Thailand
Thai Trademark
Decision of Trademark Board
No. 843/2548 (Application No.
545572)
The device of a cartoon presenting a
urinating boy is not polite and contrary
to morality thereby not registrable
under Section 8 (9) of the Trademark
Act B.E. 2534.
Notion of Public Interest in Thailand
Community Trademark
No. 003789021
For Decoration stuff
25 April 2013 25
Likelyhood of confusion between TM in Thailand
Similarity between the signs: visual: vs. (Trademark Board Decision No. 399/2553)
Application No. 713884
(Trademark Board Decision No. 415/2553)
vs. Application No. 697531
phonetic: (Trademark Board Decision No. 347/2553)
vs. Application No. 700160
(Trademark Board Decision No. 420/2553)
vs. Application No. 704266
conceptual: According to the current practice of the Thai Registrar, the emphasis is put on the visual and
phonetic similarities when assessing the similarities of signs
25 April 2013 26
Protection of well-known TM in Vietnam Similarity to a well-known trademark:
Quick Facts:
• The trademark “NIVEA” is protected in Vietnam for the goods in Classes 3 and 5. However, in practice, only the goods in Class 3 (for cosmetics) were used in Vietnam. • 2010: a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company filed a trademark application for “NIVIA” for “pharmaceutical preparations” in Class 5 in Vietnam. • Plaintiff: the owner of NIVEA brand filed an opposition against the trademark “NIVIA” on the ground of similarity to its well-known trademark “NIVEA”.
Favorable decision the NOIP: • Evidences for proving the well–known status of the mark comprise copies of registrations granted for NIVEA in other countries, list of the shops selling the branded products in Vietnam; turnover figures etc. • 2012: final decision rejecting registration of the trademark “NIVIA” for being similar to the well-known trademark “NIVEA”.
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Translation / transliteration in Chinese and Thai »
« PEUGEOT » « Benz »
« Volkswagen »
« Johnson’s »
CN « 标致 »
biao zhi jolie
« 奔驰 »
ben chi galoper
« 大众 » da zhong
public; peuple
« 强生 » qiang sheng
fort - vie
TW « 寶獅 » bao shi
trésor - léon
« 賓士 » bin shi
hôte - savant
« 福斯 » fu si
bonheur - élégant
« 嬌生 » jiao sheng
tendre; joli - vie TH
Thailand: International exhaustion of IP rights “WAHL (verbal)” trademark and parallel imports
Quick facts: • The Defendant bought the products from the distributor of the Plaintiff in Singapore and distributed them in Thailand without the consent of the Plaintiff. • The Plaintiff sought to obtain damages for trademark infringement. Ruling of the Supreme Court (Supreme Court Decision No.2817/2543): • Application of the principle of international exhaustion of Intellectual Property Rights/first sale doctrine: When the Plaintiff sold its products bearing the trademark “WAHL” for the first time, the Plaintiff actually exercised its exclusive right to use the trademark and already received the benefit from the use of the trademark and thus cannot prevent commercial exploitation of genuine branded products by third parties parallel imports of WAHL hair clippers allowed by the Court/no trademark infringement. • However, not common law/not codified in the Thai law.
25 April 2013 28
SINGAPORE: a Global Hub for IP transactions, filings and dispute resolution
Ministry of Law's IP Hub Master Plan report 2013
Tax benefits for IP activities performed in Singapore: -Tax Deduction up to 100% for costs related to the registration of Patents, Trademarks, Designs
and Plant Varieties or acquisition of IPR;
-Tax Deduction includes official fees and attorney’s legal fees (such as costs for availability
searches, translation fees etc.)
Eligibility requirement: legal and economic ownership: «Legal and economic ownership must belong to the business entity in Singapore; Economic ownership
means the economic benefits from the exploitation of the intellectual property will be accrued to the business entity»
http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=14112 http://www.ipos.gov.sg/Portals/0/Press%20Release/IP%20HUB%20MASTER%20PLAN%20REPORT%202%20APR%202013.pdf 25 April 2013 29
Take Away Messages build a strong proactive IP policy
- at home and
- in the target countries
File applications for IPR early (under Paris Convention priority)
Build a strategy and a roadmap (be proactive) <-> business model
Study and apply local rules (seek advice of strategy-oriented IP Agent)
NDAs; Trade Secrets ; in-house IPR safeguarding procedures
Contract management (incl. R&D; employment contracts ; JVs ; ..)
Enforce
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25 April 2013 31
• Simon Cheetham
• China /ASEAN Helpdesk Team Leader
• Director ERINYES Intl
• e-mail: [email protected]
• Tel: +44 (0)1296 425006
• Patrice Vidon • Firm: Vidon IP Law Group (Europe – Asia) • Email: [email protected] • Location: Paris, France • 40 IP attorneys, agents and lawyers in 8 offices in Europe and Asia: Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Q&A
Helpdesk Country IP Factsheets: Check it out NOW!
To access all our publications click here
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Additional Support: “Regional cooperation IP projects” ECAP III: The ASEAN Project on Intellectual Property Rights (ECAP III)
EABC: The European ASEAN Business Centre (EABC)
ASEAN Patent information Portal
EPO Virtual helpdesk
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The ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk provides free, confidential, business-focused advice to European Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) relating to IPR in South-East-Asia
Helpdesk Enquiry Service – [email protected]
Training & Events
Materials
Online Services - www.asean-iprhelpdesk.eu
For more information about our services and how the ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk can add value to SMEs, please contact:
Telephone/Hotline: +62 21 572 2056 ext.108
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