March, 2010

United States - Espinel must heed brand owners' call for cooperation

Mar 30, 2010 - World Trademark Review

Victoria Espinel has set to work on her colossal task of better coordinating IP enforcement across US government departments, with key stakeholders demanding increased government transparency and closer cooperation between agencies and industry. <?xml:namespace prefix = o />

Brand...

In the world of innovation—the future is now

Mar 24, 2010 - The Daily Caller

Let’s talk jobs. Rarely in our history has the country shared the same focus and concern about a single issue as we do today. With unemployment hovering at almost 10 percent, and with an even higher number of Americans underemployed and unhappy with their current jobs, we are a nation faced with...

Brazil may break patents to force US to end subsidies

Mar 17, 2010 - Bloomberg

(BRASILIA) Brazil will break intellectual property rights on US-made prescription drugs, music, books, software and movies in a bid to force Washington to end cotton subsidies that violate global trade rules.

Brazil's government submitted a list of products for which they may suspend...

Brazil Aims At IP Rights In US Cotton Row

Mar 16, 2010 - Wall Street Journal

BRASILIA (Dow Jones)--Raising the stakes in a continuing trade conflict over U.S. cotton subsidies, Brazil on Monday added intellectual-property rights on certain U.S. imports to a list of items that could be subject to retaliation under a World Trade Organization ruling last year.

Brazil...

Obama Reiterates Support For Finishing ACTA

Mar 11, 2010 - National Journal

President Obama Thursday reiterated his administration's commitment to enacting the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, aimed at curbing global piracy, despite a vote by the European Parliament this week calling for greater transparency in the deal's negotiations.

During remarks at the...

US On International Trade Crusade With New Agenda

Mar 11, 2010 - IP Watch

The recently released US annual trade agenda shows an intention to conquer new international markets, strengthen the global trade system and enforce obligations and US intellectual property rights. The US also means to address what they consider as trade barriers. [Update: President Obama spoke...

Congress Mulls Next Step in Long-Running Bacardi Trademark Battle

Mar 5, 2010 - The National Law Journal

When it comes to trademark disputes, few can rival the fierce battle over the rights to Havana Club rum.

The latest chapter in the long-running saga, which has its roots in pre-Revolutionary Cuba, came Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. The topic: how to reconcile a U.S. law...

Congress asked to repeal Cuban trademarks law

Mar 4, 2010 - American Shipper

Trade representatives in Washington on Wednesday asked House lawmakers to support the repeal of Section 211 in the fiscal year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which prohibits the United States from honoring trademarks of Cuban origin that were associated with businesses nationalized by the...

Knock-offs catch on

Mar 4, 2010 - The Economist

Fake goods are proliferating, to the dismay of companies and governments

IMITATION is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery, but that is not how most brands see it. On March 1st Philip Morris, a tobacco giant, sued eight American retailers for selling counterfeit versions of its...

Bacardi's fight to retain Havana Club name resurfaces in Congress

Mar 3, 2010 - Miami Herald

A years-long battle over the rights to a coveted brand of rum returned to Capitol Hill Wednesday as Miami-based Bacardi urged a House committee not to repeal a 1998 provision that gave it the U.S. rights to the name.

The provision -- better known as Section 211 -- has been under fire from...

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