i n association with Helene amp Associates Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Cambodia 1 IPR is key to the competitiveness of your business IPR infringement is one of the key concerns for foreign businesses when dealing with ASEAN countries ID: 530038
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "SCHMITT & ORLOV" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
SCHMITT & ORLOV
i
n association with Helene & Associates Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Cambodia
1Slide2
IPR is key to the competitiveness of your business.
IPR infringement is one of the key concerns for foreign businesses when dealing with ASEAN countries. Cambodian IPR laws and enforcement is currently undergoing positive changes.
2
Part 1:
IPR Environment
[1] Intellectual Property and Conducting Business in Cambodia
Consequences of IPR Infringement
Loss of business
Loss of revenue
Loss of reputation
Loss of competitive advantageSlide3
3
Part 1: IPR Environment
[2] Counterfeit Goods
Cambodia
China
Laos
Vietnam
Thailand
Nature: mostly garment, cosmetics,
pharmaceutical, alcohol and more
recently a growing presence of DVDs/
CDs or other copyrighted material.
Volume: based on surveys taken in
stores, about 52% of goods are
counterfeit.
Traffic: main origin is China, thus
importance of border enforcement. Slide4
Parallel imports (also known as gray market goods) refers to genuine branded goods obtained from one market (i.e. country, economic area, etc.) that are subsequently imported into another market and sold there without the consent of the IP owner –def. by INTA.
PI are often imported into Cambodia from Thailand or Vietnam, and Laos to a lesser extent.Problem:
Backdoor leakages,Non-authorized distribution. Solutions:Review contracts with suppliers (NDA, define IP content, etc.),
Factory trainings, IPR awareness campaigns, etc.
4
Part 1: IPR
E
nvironment
[3] Parallel ImportsSlide5
[1] Comparative Look at Intellectual Property Rights in Cambodia
5
Part 2: Enforcement Measures and Authorities
Right
Definition
COPYRIGHT
Exclusive right granted for literary, artistic and scientific works.
PATENT
Exclusive right granted for an invention “the idea of an inventor which permits in practice the solution of a specific problem in the field of technology
”.
TRADEMARK
Sign used to identify a business products,
services.
Cambodia has enacted laws protecting the holders of copyrights, patents and trademarks.
Patents and trademarks must be registered, while copyrights can be voluntarily registered (as in China, the United States and Germany).
Similarly to China, Cambodia uses the “first-to-file” system for trademarks and patents, as opposed to the “first-to-use” principle in the United States and many European countries. Slide6
3 main avenues of enforcement which you can consider – civil enforcement, criminal enforcement, and administrative enforcement/mediation
6
Part 2: Enforcement Measures and Authorities
[2] Enforcement of IPR in Cambodia
Civil Proceedings
Trademark owners may sue for monetary damages in the Cambodian Civil
Courts.
The
Court has the power to grant provisional measures, injunctions and damages.
Criminal Proceedings
Trademark infringement is punishable by 1-5 years imprisonment and/or fines ranging from 190-3,700 euros.
The maximum penalty for a repeat offender is the doubling of both the fine and terms of imprisonment. Slide7
7
Part 2: Enforcement Measures and Authorities
Border control measures are another way of enforcing IPR rights for trademark and copyright owners. They are not available for patent owners.
The customs authority will suspend clearance of the goods for a defined period – which can be extended by up to 10 working days.
Destruction and fines.
CAMCONTROL
is the co-authority for border enforcement.
CAMCOMTROL’s main mandate is the protection of consumers – they focus strongly on health and safety issues concerning goods.
Both customs and CAMCONTROL trainings can be organized focusing on the main ports of entry from Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
This training is crucial to enhancing the ability of officials to recognize counterfeit goods.
Customs Authority
Cambodian Import Export Inspection and Fraud Repression Directorate General (CAMCONTROL)
[3] Enforcement of IPR in CambodiaSlide8
Similarly to the United States, there is no federal agency solely responsible for administrative enforcement. The responsibility is divided among different agencies: according to the nature of each case, it is crucial to identify the best interlocutor.
DIP Mediation – important considerationCounter Counterfeit Committee of Cambodia
8
Part 2: Enforcement Measures and Authorities
[4] Enforcement of IPR in CambodiaSlide9
9
MAIN TAKE AWAY LESSONS
REGISTER, REGISTER – whatever your size – small cafes, to multinationals – English/Khmer
USE YOUR TM AS REGISTERED – R symbol, TM symbol
SENSIBILISE YOUR STAFF – NDA/IP ARTICLES IN CONTRACTS/TRADE SECRETS
KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE MARKET
CUSTOMS/CAMCONTROL AT THE BORDER
ACT FAST IF INFRINGEMENTS FOUND
WHO IS THE INFRINGER – MAIN PERSON BEHIND THE INFRINGEMENT/FACTORY
WHICH CHANNEL TO DO YOU WANT TO USE – WL, DIP MEDIATION, CRIMINAL, CIVIL, ETC.
BE PROACTIVESlide10
10
IPR ENFORCEMENT IN CAMBODIA
THANK YOU!
FOR ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US:
ipr@schmitt-orlov.asia
SCHMITT&ORLOV – IN COOPERATION WITH HELENE & ASSOCIATES