Armenia News Archives
December 27, 2011
EU Advisory Group Evaluates Armenia’s IP Strategy Implementation, Provides Recommendations
On December 5, 2011, the EU Advisory Group issued a report on Armenia’s progress in implementing its IP strategy, ratified by the Armenian government in June 2011.
Among the positive developments, the EU Advisory Group noted that the police, the IPO and Armauthor (Authors’ Rights Protection Organization) have been successfully enforcing the IP rights. The Group also commended the work of the Armenian Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy, a group of key private and public IP stakeholders that plays a central role in coordinating the IP reform and enforcement.
The priority reforms at the moment are connected with border enforcement and improvement of the criminal and civil procedures in order to reduce the high level of piracy and counterfeiting.
The EU Advisory Group also made a few recommendations for the upcoming months, including:
- Continuation of the IP legislation reforms;
- Increasing IP awareness among public authorities and the public;
- Ensuring better coordination among the IP enforcement authorities.
Implementation of the IP Strategy is a condition for Armenia’s successful completion of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) negotiations with the EU. Since 2008, the EU Advisory Group has been supporting the Armenian government in the implementation of its reforms and international commitments.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Pavlovic at our Macedonia office.
Source: Public Radio of Armenia website
June 21, 2011
Progress of IP Reforms in Armenia Main Topic of EU-Armenia Seminar
The progress of intellectual property rights protection in Armenia was the main topic of discussion at the seminar organized by the EU Advisory Group and the Armenian Interagency Commission coordinating Armenia-EU Cooperation on May 20, 2011.
The participants at the seminar established that Armenia made progress in terms of its intellectual property legislation, increased activity of the specialized police unit in charge of IPR protection and enforcement and the remuneration to the owners of copyright and related rights. However, shortcomings were detected with regards to counterfeiting and piracy and the external border enforcement.
It was also noted that an EU-funded technical cooperation project worth EUR 1.2 million (USD 1.7 million) would be implemented in the IPR field in Armenia in the period 2012-2013.
Since 2008, the EU Advisory Group has been supporting the Armenian government in the implementation of its reforms and international commitments.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Pavlovic at our Macedonia office.
Source: Public Radio of Armenia website
April 27, 2011
Software Piracy Level in Armenia 90 Percent
Armenia currently has a 90 percent software piracy rate, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) representative Narine Mkrtchyan informed on March 29, 2011, adding that the Government itself does not use licensed software. She noted that only the Justice Ministry and the Ministry of Education and Science use licensed software.
On the other hand, as Mkrtchyan stated, 70 percent of large-size Armenia companies, especially the banks, are using legal software. She also said that the BSA is working with insurance companies and credit organizations to supply them with genuine software.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Pavlovic at our Macedonia office.
Source: News.am portal
December 21, 2010
Holographic-Image CDs, DVDs in Armenia to Help Fight Piracy
CDs, DVDs and audiocassettes with holographic images, which will help consumers differentiate between licensed and pirated products, will be available for sale in Armenia as of March 11, 2011, Armenia Microsoft Office Director Grigor Barseghyan announced at a press conference on November 17. This measure is being taken in cooperation with the Armenian Parliament with the aim of reducing piracy.
Barseghyan explained that a recent survey showed that the majority of people cannot recognize a fake, but that 65 percent of the respondents agree that only licensed software should be used, even if it is more expensive. He also noted that the number of people using licensed software has increased over the last few years, proof of which is the fact that software piracy in Armenia has decreased by 6 percent over the past four years, from 96 to 90 percent.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Pavlovic at our Macedonia office.
Source: News portal News.am
June 23, 2010
New Trademark Law in Armenia Enters into Force July 1
The Armenian Parliament has recently adopted the new Law on Trademarks, which is to enter into force on July 1, 2010. The document is a completely new piece of legislation abolishing the previous Law on Trademarks, Service Marks and Appellations of Origin from the year 2000.
The Law follows recent trademark developments and constitutes a great leap forward to a complete and comprehensive system of trademarks rights protection in Armenia.
The Law introduces a new definition of a trademark, accepting the notion of a trademark as a sign capable of being represented graphically and used to distinguish goods and/or services of one rights holder from those of the other. At the same time the Law broadens the list of signs that can be registered as trademarks by adding holograms and colors or combination of colors to the trademarks defined by the current legislation. The list of signs to be registered as trademarks remains exclusive.
As for the relative grounds for the refusal of trademark applications or revocation of registered trademarks, the Law introduces protection for trademarks with reputation in Armenia for goods and/or services that are not identical or similar to goods and/or services for which the reputed trademark is registered (dilution provision). The law also introduces protection against applications filed in bad faith.
One of the most important developments of the new Law is the opposition procedure prescribed by Articles 44 and 46, according to which all new trademark applications are to be published in the PTO’s Official Gazette after which any third party can file a remark or opposition within two months from the publishing date.
The new Law abolishes mandatory registration of trademark licenses and assignment agreements. According to the new law, a trademark license or an assignment agreement becomes effective with respect to third parties from the date of its registration with the PTO registry.
For more information, please contact Taras Kulbaba or Elena Zubenko.
Source: PETOSEVIC
“Arbun” New Trade Name for Armenian Brandy Replacing Armenian Cognac
On May 20, 2010, the Armenian government approved the name “Arbun” as the new trade name for Armenian brandy. Brandy production is a major branch of Armenia’s economy. Armenian brandies are exported to over 20 countries, the Russian market being the largest.
The labels on Armenian brandies will carry both words “Brandy” and “Arbun” for a period of five years from the day the decision comes into force, to allow customers to get used to the new name. Previously, Armenian brandy was marketed as “Armenian cognac”. This move was stopped by the European Union, which recognizes Cognac as the exclusive name for brandy produced in the Cognac area of France. Therefore, the labels will say “Armenian Arbun”. The decision is in line with Armenia’s commitment under a number of international agreements.
Hrant Bagratian, the former prime minister of Armenia and the former vice president of the Yerevan Brandy Company in Armenia’s capital Yerevan, stated that Armenians have full authority to produce cognac since the French law on brandy was adopted in 1909, while the Armenians started making brandy in 1887.
Tigran Sargsyan, Armenia’s current prime minster, explained that the word “Arbun” comes from the Armenian verb “arbetsnel”, which means “to make somebody tipsy or drunk”. He stressed that this word was chosen following discussions with specialized organizations and other interested parties.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Noveska at our Macedonia office.
Source: Yerevan Report
May 24, 2010
Bill Tightening Penalties for Copyright Violation Introduced in Armenian Parliament
A bill aimed at tightening penalties for copyright violation was introduced in the Armenian Parliament on April 26, 2010.
The aim of this bill is to protect the rights of authors. It calls for mandatory marking of audio and video information carriers with hologram labels.
The bill foresees a penalty of USD 2,500 (EUR 2,030) for the first breach of the law, and a prison sentence of up to 12 months for the repeat of the offense.
The last survey conducted by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) shows Armenia among nations with highest software piracy rates, with 93 percent illegal software.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Noveska at our Macedonia office.
Source: Arka News Agency