Все новости от 23 июля 2004 г.

IP legislation news

On 14th May Gosduma approved at its final third reading the amendments to the Law on Author’s and Neighboring Rights

The new Law stipulates protection of foreign literature and music works as of the moment of their appearance in our country. The term of author’s right validity after author’s death has been prolonged from 50 to 70 years. Company author’s right validity has also been extended. For violation of the author’s and neighboring rights the right owner is entitled to claim reimbursement in court of up to Rb.5 million (USD167 thousand). Upon favorable court decision the counterfeit copies may be confiscated and destroyed, or passed over to the author. The new stipulations cover not only the newly created products, but also the existing ones. Experts are of the opinion that amendments to the Law will make the fight with piracy in Russia easier; however, for success in this matter it is necessary to shift the accents from the fight with “hawkers” to the major evil – direct manufacturers of the counterfeit products.

June 2004

Obligatory marking of foodstuffs containing more than 0,9% GM-ingredients postponed in Russia

June 2004

By the end of 2004 voluntary ecological marking of food products to be enforced in Moscow

After abolishment of state standard for the contents of information on labels most manufacturers for self-advertising started to make notes on the products “ecologically friendly” or “cultivated in ecologically clean region”, which is not always true. In order to escape customer confusion, the Moscow Government adopted the Decree “On Measures for Ecological Estimation of the Products Sold in the Consumer Markets of Moscow” stipulating voluntary ecological marking. Products which have passed certification will be able to get the new sign (green oak leaf with a blue drop falling onto it) and inscription “ecological product”. The products should be consistent with the following requirements: natural origin; production without use of growth and fattening stimulants, pesticides, antibiotics, chemical fertilizers and hormone formulations. Certification may be made on potable water in bottles, juices, meat and fish products, bakery products, vegetables, and fruits. Products provided with said brand will enjoy priority at state procurement tenders; moreover, the new sign will attract additional customers. Penalties for forging the sign have been established for individual manufacturers and companies.

June 2004

Victor Bychkov, a movie actor, is going to claim Rb.500 thousand (around USD 17 thousand) from “Sobesednik” for violation of the right to “Kuzmich” trademark

Victor Bychkov, a movie actor, initiated a criminal case against two Russian companies “Sobesednik” and “Publishing House “Sobesednik” for non-authorized use of Kuzmich image corresponding to the character performed by him in the film “Peculiarities of National Hunting”. The companies are publishing and distributing collections of scan words called “Kuzmich” with the film character on the cover. Trademark “Kuzmich” was registered with the Russian PTO in 1999 by “P.Carlo”, the actor’s spouse company.

June 2004

“Baltika” to change “Baltika No.3” beer label to preserve their brand name

“Baltika” is going to change the label of their beer “Baltika No.3”. Experts are of the opinion that the use of featureless numbered labels for beer brands, which have no sense for customer whatsoever, explains company loss in profits, and they should re-position their brands in order to retain competitiveness.