October 22, 2009 - 19:23 AMT
RA Government amended laws on trademark and geographical notes
In a recent session, Government introduced amendments to the laws on trademarks and geographical notes. Amendments aimed at ensuring the legal protection of trademarks and bringing RA legislation in compliance with European intellectual property standards.

Established procedures will rule out possibility of brand repetition or similarity, RA Economy Minister Vahe Danielyan said. "Earlier, the entire process was restricted by official trademark registration. Under amended laws, Intellectual Property Agency will publish them two month after registration."

Changes were also made in the mechanisms determining product origins, Minister said. "European mechanisms establish special procedures for geographical notes, ensuring the protection of local producers."

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan added in turn that the project had been discussed with interested parties who introduced their viewpoints. Touching on certain enterprises' problems within the frames of legislation, premier said that international experience provided "clear-cut answers to their questions".

Another problem during Armenian delegation's visit to Kharkov was that "One of well-known companies' directors asked us to help him with realizing their products (chocolate and cakes) in Armenia. Now they can sell their production here since their business rival has registered its brand in Armenia. There's currently no production with such trademark since the rival's goal was to oust the company from market," he said.

In that context, Sargsyan said that such complaints were made by Russian colleagues. "If situation does not clear up, they'll take similar measures in relation to our producers," the Premier added.