Latvia News Archives
January 20, 2011
Latvia Amends Administrative Violations Code IP Provisions
According to the website of the Latvian PTO, Latvia has recently adopted a number of amendments to the Administrative Violations Code paragraphs related to intellectual property rights violations.
Article 166.17 of the Code was previously limited to trademark infringement, but it now also includes provisions on design infringement. Moreover, these provisions are now applicable not only to individuals, but also to legal entities.
For IP rights violations, the penalties for individuals range from EUR 285 (USD 368) to EUR 715 (USD 923). Penalties for legal entities range from EUR 1,425 (USD 1,840) to EUR 14,225 (USD 18,400).
The amended Article 155.8, related to copyright infringement, states that a legal entity can be fined with up to EUR 7,115 (USD 9,185).
Also, the newly amended Articles 148 and 149 of the Criminal Law, which prescribe sanctions for copyright and related rights violations, state that the infringers can be sentenced to up to six years of prison, depending on the nature of the violation.
For more information, please contact Masa Lopicic at our Balkan Regional Office.
Source: Latvian PTO
November 29, 2010
Latvia Adopts Amendments to Patent, Trademark and GI Laws
On October 14, 2010, the Latvian parliament adopted amendments to the Patent Law and the Law on Trademarks and Indications of Geographical Origin. The amendments entered into force on November 17, 2010.
For more information, please contact Masa Lopicic at our Balkan Regional Office.
Source: Latvia IPO
April 26, 2010
Latvia Ratifies Patent Law Treaty
On March 12, 2010, Latvia ratified the Patent Law Treaty, adopted in Geneva on June 1, 2000. The Treaty will enter into force in Latvia on June 12, 2010.
The Treaty is designed to harmonize and streamline formal procedures set by national or regional patent offices for the filing and maintenance of patents.
For more information, please contact Masa Lopicic at our Balkan Regional Office.
Source: WIPO
February 23, 2010
Latvia’s PTO Establishes Free Trademark Database
As of February 1, 2010, a free trademark database is available on the Latvian Patent Office’s website.
Improvements to the new database are expected in the near future. For example, trademarks, industrial designs and patents will each have their own database, which will make the research easier for IP professionals and other users.
For more information, please contact Masa Lopicic in our Balkan Regional Office.
Source: Latvian Patent Office
May 20, 2005
Latvia Accedes to the European Patent Convention
On April 5, 2005, the Government of the Republic of Latvia deposited its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) and to the Act revising the EPC of November 29, 2000.
According to the text of ratification, this Convention will enter into force in Latvia on July 1, 2005. Latvia will thus become the 31st member state of the European Patent Organization.
The practical implications of this accession include the following:
The European Patent extension system will continue to apply to all European and international applications filed prior to July 1, 2005.
European patent applications filed on or after July 1, 2005 will include the designation of Latvia. It will not be possible to designate Latvia retroactively in applications filed before that date.
For European and international applications filed on or after July 1, 2005, the validation route will take place after the grant of the European Patent. Any international application filed on or after the accession date will include the designation of Latvia for a European Patent, in addition to a national patent.
For further details on the validation of European Patents to Latvia, please contact us.