The exhibits organised in the different SEA countries are aimed at promoting EU GIs that are already in the various markets in SEA, as well as raising awareness on the benefits of a sui generis GI system and its positive impact on rural development and sustainability. The exhibits also provide an opportunity for GI producers of agricultural, craft, and industrial products in EU Member States to explore new markets in the SEA region.
This activity is aimed at the convergence and harmonisation of practices in the areas of trade marks and industrial designs for the benefit of EU businesses and stakeholders in SEA countries. The IT tools that may be made available by the EUIPO to SEA IP Offices and those already accessible to the trade mark and design officials are also presented.
The roving seminars consist of presentations on the benefits of trade mark and industrial design protection at the national level in SEA countries and at the EU level. Issues relating to the enforcement of trade marks and designs, both online and offline, are also covered, and potentially, so are discussions on the international trade mark and design systems.
This activity will discuss recent copyrights and related rights policy developments in both the EU and in the SEA countries, while opening discussions for the exchange of best practices in tackling emerging digital technologies and their implications on copyright and related rights protection and enforcement.
The activity entails the continuation of the advanced training programme that the project has been undertaking in collaboration with the European Patent Office (EPO). The training features efficient search and examination tools and practices for the senior patent examiners of the participating SEA countries.
The activity entails the organisation of a webinar to promote awareness on trade secrets, focusing on their protection and enforcement, taking into account advancements in digital technology and the economic impact of misappropriation of trade secrets.
Trade Secrets in the EU
Plamen Ivanov and Vitoria Alves
European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
This activity entails the organisation of workshops to promote the convergence of practices and exchange information on issues of pressing concern to EU businesses operating in SEA, including bad faith applications, protection of well-known marks, and the impact of new technology on the examination of trade marks and industrial design applications.
Following the enactment of the Amended IP Law of Viet Nam, which took effect on 1 January 2023, with provisions on sound marks protection from 14 January 2023, and the protection of test data for agricultural chemicals effective on 14 January 2024, the activity organises events to promote awareness and ensure that EU and SEA businesses operating in Viet Nam are aware of the changes under the new law.
Presentations:
The activity is aimed at continuing to raise awareness on plant variety protection and the benefits of the UPOV 1991 Act. The seminar focuses on the importance of plant variety protection to address concerns regarding food security and climate change, as well as to promote a better understanding of the issues relevant to strengthening PVP systems and UPOV 1991 Act membership.
Following the model and methodology adopted by the EUIPO, through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, in preparing the Analysis Report on IPR-intensive Industries and Economic Performance in the European Union, the study aims to provide an assessment of the combined contribution of industries that make intensive use of the various types of IPRs to the economy of interested SEA countries.