Bulletin - IP Updates

Weekly Design Update – Dec 2021 (2 of 3)


JURISDICTION: WIPO
CHANGE: Changes to International Design Publication

The following update has been machine-translated from Hebrew.

“As of 1.1.2022, registration of an international design will be published in the International Registry by default twelve months after the date of submission of the international application, and not six months in accordance with the current wording of Regulation 17 (1) (3) of the Hague Agreement Regulations. In addition, in accordance with Regulation 17, the applicant may choose immediate publication near the submission of the application or in the rejection of the publication, depending on the applicant’s choice, subject to what is stated in the regulation.

For details on this topic, visit the WIPO website”

SOURCE: ILPO
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 01 Jan 2022

JURISDICTION: Philippines
CHANGE: IP in the Philippines

“Information to help you protect, manage and enforce your intellectual property (IP) rights in the Philippines.

This page provides practical information to help you make the most of your IP when doing business in?the Philippines.

If you plan to do business in?the Philippines,?or if you are already trading there, it is essential to know how to manage and enforce your IP as private property rights.

British businesses looking for access to intellectual property advice and support should contact our?South East Asia attaché team, based in the High Commission in Singapore

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is the body responsible for operating the patent, industrial design and trade mark system in the Philippines.

Trade marks

The Philippine trade mark system is similar to the UK’s. Trade marks protect symbols, colours or other devices used to identify a business’ products or services. A trade mark is valid for ten years, then may be renewed indefinitely for further ten-year periods.

To protect a trade mark in the Philippines you can:

apply online via IPOPHL

make an international trade mark application and select the Philippines as a designated country. More information on international trade mark can be found in the international trade mark protection page

Good to know

Applications can be made in English or Filipino.

Non-residents must be represented by a local authorised individual e.g., a lawyer.

Patents

Like in the UK, patents for inventions can be protected for up to 20 years in the Philippines. The Philippines also provides protection for utility models for up to 7 years. Utility models are sometimes called “mini-patents” and require a lower level of inventiveness. All patent rights in the Philippines are subject to the payment of annual fees after they’ve been granted.

To protect your innovation with a patent in the Philippines you can:

File an application directly to IPOPHL.

File an international patent application and select the Philippines as a designated country. This can reduce the cost and effort of applying for patents in multiple countries. More information on international patents can be found in the international patent protection page.

File an ASEAN application via ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC). This can reduce cost and effort of applying for patents in multiple ASEAN countries.

Good to know

The Philippines operates a ‘first to file’ principle. If two people apply for a patent on an identical invention, the first one to file the application will be awarded the patent. The Philippines does operate grace period where you can register a patent within 12 months of any public disclosure.

Applications can be made in English or Filipino.

Non-residents must be represented by a local authorised individual e.g., a lawyer.

Designs

In the Philippines, design protection initially last for 5 years and can be extended for two consecutive periods i.e. protection can last for a maximum of 15 years.

To protect your design in the Philippines you can:

File an application directly to IPOPHL.

File an international design application and select the Philippines as a designated country. This can reduce the cost and effort of applying for designs in multiple countries. More information on international designs can be found in the international design protection page.

Good to know

The Philippines operates a ‘first to file’ principle. If two people apply for an identical design, the first one to file the application will be awarded the protection. The Philippines does operate grace period where you can register a patent within 6 months of any public disclosure.

Applications can be made in English or Filipino.

Non-residents must be represented by a local authorised individual e.g., a lawyer.

Copyright

As in the UK,?copyright is an automatic right under?Filippino?law.??

Copyright in the Philippines protects original literary, scientific, and artistic work.

The length of protection varies but generally lasts for 50 years counted from 1 January of the year following the author’s death.?

Good to know?

Although protection is automatic, you may want to register your work with IPOPHL or the National Library. Registration is voluntary but helps to provide evidence of copyright ownership before a court or relevant enforcement authority.

Non-residents must be represented by a local authorised individual e.g., a lawyer.

Enforcing your rights

Businesses mention IP infringement and IP enforcement as issues when operating in the Philippines.

If your rights are infringed, there are 4 main options you can consider: administrative action, civil litigation, criminal prosecution, and customs however mediation is often an effective and lower cost option where possible.

Administrative enforcement can initiated through filing a complaint with IPOPHL. The process is similar to civil litigation action and authorities can impose fines and damages.

In practice, counterfeiting and piracy are typically dealt with via criminal prosecution. Raid action is possible with the national police or bureau of investigation and while their involvement is not required to start criminal proceedings it is advised to make any following actions easier.

If you suspect infringing goods are being imported into the Philippines, you can register their IP with customs official who have the power to monitor counterfeit or pirated goods at the border. The recordal is effective for 2 years and can be extended for a further 2 years.

More information

For specific support on IP enforcement, we have developed a manual including details on the laws and regulations as well as the IP enforcement procedures in Philippines.

Visit these pages for more information about doing business in the Philippines.

To report a market access barrier on IP in the Philippines.

UK ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) provides awareness on the latest opportunities in the region for UK companies looking to expand their operations into markets across Southeast Asia including Philippines.

British Chamber of Commerce in Philippines provide a variety of business advice, services and support to businesses in the Philippines.

The British High Commission in Philippines supports UK businesses in the Philippines.”

SOURCE: UKIPO
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 13 Dec 2021

JURISDICTION: Indonesia
CHANGE: IP in Indonesia

“Information to help you protect, manage and enforce your intellectual property (IP) rights in Indonesia.

If you plan to do business in?Indonesia,?or if you are already trading there, it is essential to know how to manage and enforce your IP as private property rights.

British businesses looking for access to intellectual property advice and support should contact our?South East Asia attaché team, based in the High Commission in Singapore

The Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) is the body responsible for operating the patent, industrial design and trade mark system in Indonesia.

Trademarks

The Indonesian trade mark system is similar to the UK’s. Trade marks protect symbols, colours or other devices used to identify a business’ products or services. A trade mark is valid for ten years, then may be renewed indefinitely for further ten-year periods.

To protect a trade mark in Indonesia you can:

Apply direct to DGIP

Make an international trade mark application and select Indonesia as a designated country. More information on international trade mark can be found in the protecting your trade mark abroad page.

Good to know

Applications must be made in Bahesa Indonesian. It is recommended to use a local lawyer to submit your application.

Patents

Like in the UK, patents for inventions can be protected for up to 20 years in?Indonesia. Indonesia?also provides protection for utility models for up to 10?years.?Utility models are sometimes called “mini-patents” and require a lower level of inventiveness.?All patent rights in Indonesia are subject to the payment of annual fees after they’ve been granted.???

To protect your innovation with a patent in Indonesia you can:

File an application?directly?to DGIP

File?an international?patent?application and select Indonesia as a designated country. This can reduce the cost and effort of applying for?patents?in multiple countries.?More information on international patents can be found in the protecting your patents abroad page.

File an ASEAN application via ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC). This can reduce cost and effort of applying for patents in multiple ASEAN countries.

Good to know

Indonesia operates a ‘first to file’ principle. If two people apply for a patent on an identical invention, the first one to file the application will be awarded the patent. Indonesia does operate grace period where you can register a patent within 6 months of any public disclosure.

Applications should be made in Bahesa Indonesian. DGIP does offer a translation service however this can often cause delays.

It is recommended to use a local lawyer to submit your application.

Designs

In Indonesia, design protection initially last for 10 and cannot be extended.

To protect your design in the Indonesia you should file an application directly to DGIP.
?

Good to know?

Indonesia operates a ‘first to file’ principle. If two people apply for an identical design, the first one to file the application will be awarded the protection. Indonesia does operate grace period where you can register a patent within 6 months of specific public disclosures.

Applications must be made in Bahasa Indonesia and can be made either by the designer or an individual on your behalf e.g., a lawyer.

Copyright

As in the UK,?copyright is an automatic right under?Indonesian law.??? ? Copyright in Indonesia protects original?literary, artistic, and scientific works including computer programmes.

?The length of protection varies but generally lasts for?70 years counted from 1 January of the year following the author’s death.

Good to know?? ??

? Although protection is automatic, you may want to register your work with DGIP. Registration is voluntary but helps to provide evidence of copyright ownership before a court or relevant enforcement authority.

Declarations of copyright must be made in Bahasa Indonesian and can be made either by yourself or another individual on your behalf for example a lawyer.

Enforcing your rights

Businesses mention IP infringement and IP enforcement as issues when operating in Indonesia.

If your rights are infringed, there are 3 main options you can consider: civil litigation, criminal prosecution, and customs seizures however mediation via legal professionals is often an effective and lower cost option.

IP infringement is a criminal offence however enforcement is often difficult. In practice, only minor fines are given for IP crimes. IP infringement is a complaint-based crime where the IP holder needs to file a complaint with the police or DGIP before any action such as raids is taken.

If you suspect goods infringing your trade mark or copyright are being imported into Indonesia, you can notify the customs via the courts of suspected shipments however in practice seizures are rare.

More information

For specific support on IP enforcement we have developed a manual including details on the laws and regulations as well as the IP enforcement procedures in Indonesia.

Visit these pages for more information about doing business in Indonesia.

To report a market access barrier on IP in?Indonesia.

UK ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) provides awareness on the latest opportunities in the region for UK companies looking to expand their operations into markets across Southeast Asia including Indonesia.

British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia provide a variety of business advice, services and support to businesses in Indonesia.

The British High Commission in Indonesia supports UK businesses operating in Indonesia.”

SOURCE: UKIPO
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 13 Dec 2021

JURISDICTION: Jamaica, WIPO
CHANGE: Jamaica Joins the Hague System

“Jamaica is the latest country to join the Hague System bringing the total number of countries covered to 93.

The Government of Jamaica deposited its instrument of accession to the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on November 10, 2021. Jamaica is the 67th contracting party to the 1999 Act and 76th member of the Hague Union.

What does this mean for designers worldwide?

From February 10, 2022, companies and designers in Jamaica will be able to seek international protection of their designs, in as many of the 93 countries covered by the Hague System as desired, facilitating their expansion into international markets.

In parallel, non-residents seeking design protection in Jamaica will be able to designate the Hague System’s newest member in their international applications contributing to stimulation of the Jamaican economy.

Specific declarations made by Jamaica

Description In detail… Reference
Designation fee Level three of the standard designation fees will apply. Rule 12(1)(c)(i)
Deferment of publication The maximum period of deferment that applicants may request for publication of their international designs in Jamaica is 12 months. Article 11(1)(a)
Refusal period The period for refusal of grant of protection of a design in Jamaica will be 12 months. Rule 18(1)(b)
Date of effect of the international registration International registrations will take effect in Jamaica according to domestic law (safeguard). Rule 18(1)(c)(ii)
Duration of protection The maximum duration of protection in Jamaica will be 15 years. Article 17(3)(c)
Recording of change in ownership The recording of a change in ownership will only take effect in Jamaica once their IP office receives required documentation. Article 16(2)

The 1999 Act will enter into force in Jamaica on February 10, 2022.

Download information notice

SOURCE: WIPO
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 10 Feb 2022
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