Essentials on establishment and exploitation of IPRs - II · IPR Intellectual property is an...

transcript

R o n c u z z i & Associati S.r.l.

via Antica Zecca, 6 • 48100 Ravenna

Tel. 0544 31076 • Fax 0544 33352i n f o @ r o n c u z z i . i t

2004 – 2015

University of CataniaJean Monnet Chair in Internationational Business

for European Union (IB4EU)December, 3-4, 2015 - Catania

Essentials onestablishmentand exploitationof IPRs - II

IPR is the acronym forINTELLECTUALPROPERTY RIGHTS

Intellectual property is anexpansive and rapidly changingarea of the law which deals withthe formulation, usage andcommercial exploitation oforiginal creative works.

A majority of the issues thatarise within this area revolvearound the boundary lines ofintangible property rights andwhich of those rights areafforded legal protection.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 4

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 5

unregistered signs

IPR - Who

Individuals and organizationsare allowed to fileapplications to get their assetregistered.

The problem is if seeking fora registration is really of usefor them.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 6

IPR - Who

Jump into IntellectualProperty is very challengingand very often changesone’s own scenario verydeeply.

Benefit from IPR needsentrepreneurial attitude,challenging approach toproblems, being curious.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 7

IPR – What

Patents, trademarks anddesigns are registered assets.

They are grantable at the endof a formal procedure beforeIntellectual Property National orRegional Offices that starts withthe filing of an application.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 8

IPR – What

An examiner verifies if the object ofthe application fulfils determinedrequirements.

The basic requirements areestablished by the “ParisConvention”.

Each State or Regional Authoritiesrules the matter through a lawsystem and its jurisprudence.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 9

IPR – What

Each grant can be revoked incase it is possible to prove thatthe examiner misinterpretedthe “position” of the object ofthe application within the priorart and the fulfilment of therequirements established bythe law.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 10

IPR – WhatIn certain systems, an administrativeprocedure called opposition might belaunched before the IntellectualProperty State Agency to limit or get agranted-to-be/a just granted IPRcancelled.

Oppositions might be manageddirectly without the assistance of alawyer, at a limited cost.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 11

IPR – WhatLocal/ regional Courts can alwaysmanage limitation or nullity actions ofgranted IPRs after the definitive conclusionof their administrative procedure (whenIPRs are fully enforceable rights).

Notably, only lawyers are admitted toCourts. This usually makes the proceduremore structured and the costs usuallymuch higher.

Additionally, time to goal is surely longerand decisions are not always morestraightforward.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 12

IPR – What – Patents

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 13

A patent is a registered title ofproperty related to a solution of atechnical problem.

It grants the owner (or a licensee)the exclusive right to exploit thereferred invention in a determinedterritory.

A patent can be granted only if itsapplication clearly describes theinvention, so that anyone feelacquainted with the matter at the endof reading the wording.

However, only after the expiry (of thepatent) the invention becomes freelyexploitable by anybody.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 14

Requisites of a patentableinvention

Novelty

Inventive step

Industrial feasibility

Inventions are novel if theirteachings are not comprised inthe “prior art” for the skilledpersons (at the filing date of therelative patent applications).

Novelty does not matter withbeing smart or ingenious (theinvention!).

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 16

Novelty

Prior art matters with (i.e.):

written and/or oral publications:

national and foreign patents,

articles, books, catalogues,theses, dissertations orpublications on websites,

lectures, workshops,presentations and conferences.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 17

IP Codes usually defineInventive Step in the negativeform.

It is usually stated that it ariseswhen the invention is notobvious, meaning that itperforms a surprising effect fora man skilled in the art.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 18

Inventive Step

IPR WHAT

PATENTS

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 19

IPR – What – Trademarks

Signs are suitable to becometrademarks if they are noveland capable to createdistinguishability for determinedproduct/service in a relevantterritory.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 20

At least 1 class with determinedcategories according to the

Nice Classification45 classes: 1-34 goods, 35-45 services

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

District

A registered trademark is asign for which an establishedauthority granted an exclusivityright, with the aim to let theowner collecting the publicinterest on products/services bymaking their origin clearlydistinguishable.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 22

Trademarks limit:

the likelihood of confusion

among products/services of the

same nature; and

the risk of association among

producers of similar

products/services.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Ease the choice of aproduct or of a serviceprovider.

Identify the origin ofproducts/services indetermined fields;

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Novelty has to beassessed by making acomparison with validprior trademarks from averbal, conceptual andphonetical point of view.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 25

Distinguishability occurswhen the names andlogos are fancy, withoutany reference/link to theproduct / service to bedistinguished.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 26

The choice of a weak trademarkimposes to accept coexistencewith very similar trademarks.

Simple variations of the wording orimmaterial changes to thegraphical representation make asimilar trademark novel withreference to prior weak trademarkrights.

IPR – What – Designs

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 28

Designs are registered IPRs whichrelate to the aspect of a product, or ofone of its own part if this aspect ischaracterized by:

lines, contours, colors, shape, texture,materials of the product itself,decoration of the goods, on conditionthat this aspect is new and presentsindividual character.

A design is new for adetermined kind of products

If it differs from the priordesign concepts or from theshapes of alreadydivulged/traded products.

293/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

IPR – What – Designs

IPR - Where

Practically worldwide: the ParisConvention is ratified in 176Contracting Parties/States.

Focusing on a determined Stateor through a unitary procedurerelative to a Region, if possible.

Depending on the nature and onstrategy of the company withregard to the object of the IPR.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 30

IPR - Where

Community RegisteredDesigns, CommunityTrademarks are availablewithin UE, whereas UnitaryPatent is not currentlyfeasible, probably within bythe end of 2016.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 31

IPR - Why

Create a monopoly

Origins financial benefits

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 32

IPR - Why

Each IPR is a monopoly:

grants a privileged position

conditions the competitors'strategy

facilitates the management ofone's know-how and networking

eases the restoration of infringedrights by simplifying the relatedlegal activity.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 33

IPR - Why

«Freezes» the companyknowledge and know-how.

Bans competitors to freely operatein a determined area of business.

Forces competitors to makeadditional effort in devoloppingnew concepts to maintain theirturnover and profits.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 34

IPR - Why

A robust and mixed IPRcompany portfolio makesthe company far moreattractive to investors:

M&A opportunities

lower company tax rate(i.e. Patent Box)

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 35

Additionally, IPRs are a sort ofguarantee for the investments inR&D and foster innovation.

Particularly, granted patentscommunicate that the firm is incondition to increase its profitsand to reduce its risk margin.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 36

Steep increase of mobilityof managers andemployees towards morewealthy competitors orpromising business areas.

Loss of territorial control ofknowledge distribution.

Spread of knowledge

3/12/2015

IPR WHAT

Trademarks

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 38

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 39

The sign must be arbitrary,imaginative, “capricious" in relationto the product service to bedistinguished.

Adding a graphical representation isoften not enough to lead to the grantof the exclusive right.

Small verbal or graphical changesare sufficient to prevent fromcounterfeiting of a weak mark.

Capability of distinguishingDistance between sign and product/service

Naming a soap

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 40

Sign Type Comment

Soap General Descriptive

Clean dishes Descriptive of theeffect

Wash up Descripive of thetrade sector

Tide Imaginative Ok

Aquos Imaginative Ok

No matter Sharp gave thesame name to a television –Different classes of goods

“Secondary meaning”

Distinguishable /Strong legalprotection

Patronymicname

Imaginativenames

Generic names

Designating the class/es

Nice Classification: as of 1957, it isrevisited about every 4 years.

The 10th is now effective.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 42

http://www.wipo.int/classifications/nice/en/

ExamplesClass 9: spectacles, software, hardware, scientific instruments,compasses.Class 18: leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of thesematerials and not included in other classes; animal skins, hides; trunksand travelling bags; umbrellas and parasols; walking sticks; whips,harness and saddlery.Class 25: clothing, footwear, headgear,Class 28: Treadmill, exercise machine, toys.

Allow evaluation of

characteristics of a

product/service even

before buying it.

Trademarks additionalpurpose (1/3)

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

A trademark may derive

actractive power through

the association to already

known and appreciated

elements, explicitly or

implicitly reminded.

3/12/2015

Trademarks boosted

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 45

A trademark:

summarizes corporate values: quality,image, reliability, creativity, type oftarget, ruggedness, organization,management, sales network

produces extra-profit bycommunicating values.

3/12/2015

At leat 5 trademark applications!

How many TrademarkApplications?

word marklogo and text inspecial characters

logoshapeSpecialcharacters

Therefore, a trademark (1/2):

aroused the interest of thepublic;

makes the product moreattractive to customers;

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

collects value that can beobjectively appraised.

generates a privilegedposition;

3/12/2015

Therefore, a trademark (2/2):

Deadlines

t dep.

Priorityright

Extension oftrademark

application savingpriority right

Duration: 10 years, always renewable

5 years from registration™ ®

If ΔT > 0 validation!ΔT

Effective use?

UIBM – Opposition totrademark registration

Internal procedure admitted against:

Italian trademark applicationspublished in the UIBM Bullettin;

International registrations designatingItaly and published in the WIPO Bullettinof International Trademarks

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 51

UIBM – Opposable Trademarks

Identity with an already registered trademarkfor identical products or services;

identity o similarity with a trademark alreadyregistered for identical or similar products orservices if likelihood of confusion between onthe part of the public may arise, which mayalso consist in the likelihood of associationbetween the two signs;

Lack of consent to registration from the ownerof rights on names of persons, signs used inthe field of art, literature, science, politics andsports, etc.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 52

All the conditions admitted by UIBM;

unregistered trade marks or other signs used inbusiness (domain names, company names) andvalid in anyone of the UE States;

unregistered trademarks well known in a MemberState of the Paris Convention (CUP) under art. 6a;

registered trademarks or National applicationsthat enjoy reputation for dissimilar products /services.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 53

OHIM – Opposable Trademarks

IPR WHAT

Design

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015 54

How to get theprotection:

through registration, by meansof administrative procedure.through prior use (IT & UE).

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Advantages of theregistration:

Originates the exclusive right;

Shifts the the burden of proofto the alleged infringer;

Ease the trasfer of ownershipand use rights.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Community UnregisteredDesign Right

It is protected only by a copy of adesign regularly disclosed by theowner.

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

But … it is not regarded asderiving from a copy of a CUDthe independent creation madeby an author who could notreasonably know the CUD.

3/12/2015

Community UnregisteredDesign Right

Complex Product

Product made of multiplecomponents assembledtogether, which can bereplaced allowing disassemblyand re-assembly (of itscomponents).

593/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Novelty occurs for acertain design if noidentical shape has beenmade available before thedate of its prior disclosure.

Novelty

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Grace Period allows to ignore adisclosure of a design modeloccurred before the applicationdate of its design patent.

GP lasts 12 months and startsfrom the date of the firstdisclosure of the object of theapplication.

Grace Period

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

Disegn models are identicalwhen their owncharacteristics differ only forirrelevant details.

IDENTITY

3/12/2015 © R & A 2004 - 2015

When applying for registration?(IT&OHIM)

t dep. 6

t1dep. est.<6

Priority

[months]

IT, RCD

Grace period

tdep.- tdivul. < 12

Duration of the registration = 5 years renewable 5 fivetimes, up to 25 years of validity.

3/12/2015

Publication of the application = after filing. Admitteddeferred publication up to 30 months from theapplication date.

Multiplicity

Ok for OHIM and UIBM oncondition that all the designsgrouped together in the sameapplication share the sameclass of the LocarnoClassification.

Images/drawings

It is advisable that the filingdocuments of a designapplication comprises imagesthat allow a precise interpretationof the object.

Any kind of image isaccepted (photo, drawing,sketch).

Example: Borse testoBorse figure

Almost as for UIBM, butsome guidelines have to befollowed with regard to theimage format if theapplication is filed on-line.

Descriprion of thedesign

It is optional both forCommunity and Italiandesign applications.

Deferment of publication

The applicant (for a registeredCommunity design) may requestthat the publication of theregistered Community design bedeferred for a period of 30 monthsfrom the date of filing theapplication or from the date ofpriority.

How? By the application form.

Attenzione!

Mancanza di uniformità nellavalutazione di requisiti delladescrizione e dei modelli;

Tendenza allo schematismonell’interpretazionedell’oggetto della domanda.

Quando registrare? (IT & RCD)

t dep. 6

t1dep. est.<6

Priorità

[mesi]

IT, RCD

Anno di grazia(per divulgazione anticipata)

tdep.- tdivul. < 12

Durata registrazione = 5 anni rinnovabile ogni 5anni fino a 25 anni totali

3/12/2015

Accessibilità della domanda = dopo laregistrazione a meno di differimento fino a 30mesi da data deposito o data di priorità.

Differimento = max 30 mesi

Alto rischio di Azioni ufficiali performalità (spesso pretestuose).

Impostazione e qualità deidisegni: spessore delle linee,ombreggiature.

ESEMPI:

3/12/2015 73

TGM_USD557758S1.pdf.lnk

TGM_Citterio_USD586410S1.pdf.lnk

USA - Modelli multipli

3/12/2015 74

Accettati a discrezione dell’esaminatore.Normalmente richiesta elezione di unsottogruppo o anche di un solo modello

Obbligatoria sintetica descrizione.

No forme linee tratteggiate.

No ombreggiature.

Prodotti raggruppabili in un unicomodello a condizione di:

appartenere ad una stessa sottoclasse

essere venduti assieme

essere impiegati nello stesso tempo

presentare lo stesso concetto progettuale

3/12/2015 75

Cina – Modelli multipli

3/12/2015 76

Solo sevendutiassieme!

Alto rischio di Azioniufficiali per formalità, acausa di problemiinterpretativi della nuovanormativa.

3/12/2015 77

Russia

È necessario accompagnare le tavolecon una descrizione sintetica cheelenchi le caratteristiche essenziali delmodello.

La registrabilità del modello ècondizionata dalla combinazionedelle caratteristiche indicate comeessenziali nella descrizione e nondall’impressione generale suggeritadalle tavole.

LIST OF ESSENTIAL FEATURES

Running machine, characterized by:

- make-up of composition elements: a casing, an upper horizontalpanel, a display block, a lower horizontal panel, and a running surface;

- arrangement of the upper horizontal panel between the upperportions of the lateral components of the casing;

- arrangement of the display block on the upper horizontal panel;

- arrangement of the running surface between the lower portions ofthe lateral components of the casing behind the lower horizontal panel;

distinguished by:

- implementation of the lateral components of the casing of inverted-like form in profile with rearwardly and upwardly inclined front portion;

- arrangement of the lower horizontal panel between the front parts ofthe lower portions of the lateral components of the casing.

3/12/2015 79

Russiaesempio di descrizione sintetica

3/12/2015 80

Russia

3/12/2015 81

http://www.wipo.int/hague/en

Modelli Internazionali secondol’Accordo dell’Aja

3/12/2015 82

Non designabili: Canada,USA,Cina,Giappone,Australia,Nuova Zelanda,India, Emirati Arabi

http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/treaties/en/documents/pdf/hague.pdf

Design ortrademark?

http://rallynote.com/index.php/it/

Community Trademark: 8732811

Registered Community Design:001645946-0001/00005

Design model ortrademark?

http://rallynote.com/index.php/it/

Trademarks: Average Consumer

Designs: Informed User

Reference for the comparison

“Abbracci ®”(Hugs)

Warning!

The concept of individual character ofdesign models has very much incommon with the concept ofdistinctiveness of marks.

According to some interpretations, theminimum distance between the shapesof two distinct designs which avoidsconterfeiting is lower than the distancecommonly admitted when comparingtwo distinct marks.

Warning!

3/12/2015

Warning!

3/12/2015 90

info@roncuzzi.it

Thank you for your kind attention!

Awareness Provider®

Essentials on establishment and exploitation of IPRs - II · IPR Intellectual property is an...

Documents