Details of EU and U.S. New Website to Help SMEs Protect IPR in Foreign Markets
During the December 17, 2010 Transatlantic Economic Council, the European Union and the U.S. announced the launch of a new website, the TransAtlantic IPR Portal, to help EU and U.S. companies break into foreign markets and avoid intellectual property rights violations.
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The site offers toolkits for 30 countries which provide information on IPR protection for goods in over 20 markets, including the pharmaceutical, chemicals, and consumer goods markets, and IPR guides for specific industries, such as textiles, footwear, and furniture. The site also provides SMEs with resources for free consultations with IPR attorneys, among other IPR resources.
(See ITT’s 12/17/10 news, 10122125, for BP summary of the EU-U.S. Transatlantic Council announcing the launch of the joint IPR portal.)
General Information on Patents, Licensing Agreements, Specific Rules, Etc.
General information is provided on trademarks, patents, copyrights, design protection, trade secrets and how to protect them, as well as information on specific rules (plant varieties, biotechnological inventions, topographies of semiconductors, geographical indications and indications of origin, information society and product packaging). The website also offers information about licensing agreements and basic summaries and frequently asked questions about U.S. IPR.
Country Toolkits Available for 30 Countries & Markets in Chemicals, Health, Etc.
The U.S. and the EU have both developed various IPR country toolkits that contain detailed information on protecting IPR in key markets around the world. On this section of the website, businesses will also find useful information about Intellectual Property Offices in Europe and surveys on IPR enforcement in 30 countries including Brazil, China, India, Russia, Korea, Singapore, Mexico, Argentina, etc. Within the country toolkits, IPR information is provided for products in more than 20 markets, including products in the pharmaceutical, chemical, healthcare, fashion, electronics, and consumer goods (cosmetics, luxury items, bags, watches, food, etc.) markets.
IPR Guides for Textile, Leather, Footwear, Furniture, Etc. Industries
Tailor-made IPR guides for specific industries including textiles, leather, footwear, and furniture are available on the website as well as sources for finding national IP offices in Europe which are responsible for the registration of IPR and offer support or commercial services to help businesses manage and get value for intellectual assets. Case studies on good practices in protecting IPR and overcoming difficulties in licensing infringement are also available.
Expert Advice Available for Brazil, Russia, India, China, Etc. & IPR Lawyers
The website provides resources on finding an IPR lawyer and free expert guidance on IPR in Chinese markets. The U.S. Department of Commerce has established a program with the American Bar Association (ABA) through which U.S. small-and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can request a free, one-hour consultation with a volunteer attorney. U.S. businesses learn how to protect and enforce their IPR from attorneys who are knowledgeable in both industry IPR issues and a particular country.
Expertise is now available for Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, Thailand, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Angola, Senegal, Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, and South Africa.
CBP Electronic Recordation of IPR, CBP IPR Attorney Consultations, Etc.
The site provides businesses with access to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s IPR help desk and CBPs online IPR e-Recordation which allows owners of rights recorded in the U.S. to electronically record their trademarks and copyrights with CBP. Contact information is provided for those businesses that have legal questions about CBP’s IPR enforcement and would like to interface with a CBP IPR attorney. Information on U.S. IPR seizures, EU Customs actions, and other IPR contact enforcement authorities is available.
EU, U.S. & China IPR Outreach, Training, and e-Learning Opportunities Available
IPR training and e-learning opportunities are offered on the site for businesses to learn how to evaluate, protect, and enforce their IPR in the EU, U.S. and other overseas countries. Training offered includes information on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Intellectual Property Rights outreach and training events, its Inventors Assistance Program computer training modules, helpdesks for IPR in the EU and China, and access to the latest IPR information in the EU.
The TransAtlantic IPR Portal can be accessed here.
Information on online IPR training modules, outreach and seminars and basic summaries on U.S. trademark, patent, copyright, trade secret protection, and answers to frequently asked questions available here.
USPTO’s Inventor’s Assistance Center and computer training modules available here.
Information on the complimentary one-hour consultation with the American Bar Association’s International IPR Advisory Program available here.
China IPR SME Helpdesk available here.
EU IPR SME Helpdesk and e-learning materials available here.