Icon Enforcement Best Practices

GERMANY

Summary:

Title of initiative

Inter-trade agreement with China on textile products (Branchenvereinbarung mit dem chinesischen Textilspitzenverband)

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

In May 2006, on the occasion of a visit by Federal Chancellor Merkel to China, the Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry (Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e.V. or Gesamtverband Textil+Mode; www.textil-mode.de) signed an inter-trade agreement with the umbrella organisation for the Chinese textile industry, in which both signatories to the agreement committed themselves to the protection of intellectual property. The organisations seek to ensure, inter alias, that exhibitors are prohibited from participating in trade fairs if they are noticed with counterfeit products. This is the first inter-trade agreement of this kind and has the potential to serve as a model for other industrial sectors.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector: Textiles

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry (Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e.V.)

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

May 2006

2.2 End date

ongoing

2.3 Budget

-

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice

Training

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify): Agreement with the Chinese textile industry on IPR protection of companies

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation Other (specify): Agreement with the Chinese textile industry on IPR protection

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Technopolis appraisal: 3 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)

 

There seems to be goodwill on the political level, but SMEs still need to find out themselves if their products are counterfeits.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

http://www.textil-mode.de/deutsch/Presse/Pressedienst_2006/E1547.pdf

4.2 Web Site

http://www.textil-mode.de/deutsch/Presse/Pressedienst_2006/E1547.htm

4.3 Contacts

 

Dr. Wolf-Rüdiger Baumann

Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e.V

Tel: +49 6196 966 233

4.4 Information Source

Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources”

Title of initiative

APM (Aktionskreis gegen Produkt- und Markenpiraterie e.V.)

(German Business Action Group against Product & Trademark Counterfeiting)

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

APM has been the leading organisation in Germany in fighting against product and trademark counterfeiting spanning different branches of trade since 1997. APM was founded as a joint initiative of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and  Commerce (DIHK), the Federation of German Industry (BDI) and the Brand Association (Markenverband). Besides its founding organisations, APM’s members are actually  80 German and international companies of different sizes and branches joined in combating product and trademark counterfeiting.

APM works on different levels against brand and trademark counterfeiting. Besides general public relations and the support of politics and authorities, APM attends to the information exchange amongst its members and with politicians and authorities. APM gives practical support to its members in cases of violation of intellectual property rights. According to requirements, a team of investigators is made available. Round tables and joint initiatives on current issues are organised and a monthly overview on recent IPR relevant developments is made up. A congress on safety technology is held every two years.

To police and customs authorities APM offers a free handbook on combating piracy and organises practice-oriented workshops.

In 2006 APM has provided a China Helpdesk which was also open to non-members. It has given initial information for enterprises affected by product- and trademark piracy of Chinese origin. A comprehensive handbook on IPR protection in the VRC was made available free of charge online.

APM practices offensive public relations work without taking sides with specific industrial branches. A travelling exhibition on product- and trademark piracy is shown in various public places (airports, shopping malls, local authority buildings). An award-winning poster campaign addresses consumers and informs on the dangers of counterfeit goods.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector:

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative

Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce - Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag (DIHK e.V.)

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

1997

2.2 End date

ongoing

2.3 Budget

-

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services:

Various monitoring activities

Professional Advice:

Support in cases of IPR violation

Training

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations:

Lobbying

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

Awareness Campaigns

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation

Other (specify):

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)

 

This association appears to be highly organised and efficient both on the public and private level

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

-

4.2 Web Site

http://markenpiraterie-apm.de

4.3 Contacts

 

Mr. Lennart Röer

Geschäftsführer: Aktionskreis gegen Produkt- und Markenpiraterie (APM e.V.)

Tel: +49 30 2 03 08 27 17

E-Mail: roeer.lennart@berlin.dihk.de

4.4 Information Source

Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources”

Title of initiative

German Federation Against Copyright Theft (Gesellschaft zur Verfolgung von Urheberrechtsverletzungen (GVU))

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

The German Federation Against Copyright Theft (GVU) is a federation commissioned by the film industry and the entertainment software industry. As part of the Motion Picture Association’s international network of anti-piracy organizations, it contributes to protecting intellectual property, curbing the proliferation and spread of pirated copies, and limiting the economic damage they cause. GVU already counts more than 80 member companies and associations.

Since 1984, its team of legal, criminological and technical experts supports the law enforcement authorities (e.g. police, district attorney’s offices and customs) and makes its findings available to decision-makers in politics and business. In addition, the GVU performs a great deal of public relations work, using the media and hosting seminars to inform the professional and public sectors about all sorts of piracy, about the damage done by pirates, and the risk of detection that pirates face.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector: Film industry and entertainment software industry

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

German Federation Against Copyright Theft (GVU)

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

1984

2.2 End date

Ongoing

2.3 Budget

-

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice:

Training:

Seminars

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations:

Lobbying for improved IPR protection

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation Other (specify):

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Technopolis appraisal: 3 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)

 

Actions at the public and private levels may prove to be efficient, thanks to the high number of companies involved in the association.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

-

4.2 Web Site

http://www.gvu.de

4.3 Contacts

 

Matthias Leonardy

Gesellschaft zur Verfolgung von Urheberrechtsverletzungen e.V.

Alt-Moabit 59-61

10555 Berlin

Tel.: +49 30 31 16 169 - 15

Mail: antipiracy@gvu.de

4.4 Information Source

Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources”

Title of initiative

Innovations against piracy (Innovationen gegen Produktpiraterie)

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

With the funding initiative "Innovations against piracy" (Innovationen gegen Produktpiraterie), the Federal Ministry for Education and Research promotes cooperative research projects between companies (in particular SMEs) and research institutes. These projects seek to develop innovative solutions for protecting against piracy.

The initiative focuses on producers of capital goods and seeks – through publicly funded research projects – to enable them to develop effective concepts for protecting against piracy, for example through approaches that integrate aspects of design, production and information technology within their highly complex machines and facilities which are in demand worldwide. The objective is to attain clear technological leadership in the field of "product-integrated copy protection". The announcement of the initiative "Innovations against piracy" forms part of the Federal Government's High-Tech Strategy.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector:

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung)

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

August 2006

2.2 End date

Not known

2.3 Budget

-

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice

Training

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

Research to develop innovative solutions to prevent piracy

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation

Other (specify):

Initial research stage

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Technopolis appraisal: 3 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)

 

Project still in development but it appears interesting to have a technological approach coming from the national level to fight counterfeiting.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

http://www.produktionsforschung.de/fzk/groups/pft/documents/internetdokument/id_055491.pdf

4.2 Web Site

http://www.bmj.bund.de/enid/58d5271186bf24804b2dccc15dac2116,0/Innerstaatliche_Ma_nahmen_gegen_Produktpiraterie/Forschungsbereich_Ma_nahmen_gegen_Produktpiraterie_1b3.html

4.3 Contacts

 

Lutz Gros

Tel : +49 228 57 3275

BMBF Fachreferat 515 „Forschung an Fachhochschulen“

Heinemannstr. 2,

53173 Bonn

4.4 Information Source

Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources”

Title of initiative

Information leaflet “How to combat piracy and counterfeiting at trade fairs?” (Was tun gegen Produktpiraterie auf Messen?) as well as emergency legal services on trade fair locations

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

The German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V. or ZVEI) offers its members emergency legal services to combat piracy and counterfeiting at trade fairs. Trade fairs have proven to be particularly problematic forums for piracy and counterfeiting. Within the competition at trade fairs - which is highly concentrated in terms of time, space and product theme - pirates and counterfeiters threaten to cause massive losses in orders and sales. With its information leaflet “How to combat piracy and counterfeiting at trade fairs” (“Was tun gegen Produktpiraterie auf Messen”) as well as emergency legal services that are specially tailored to individual trade fair locations, ZVEI helps its members to quickly remedy infringements of their protected rights and to concentrate on the actual business of the trade fair.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector: Electrical and electronic industry

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V.)

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

November 2005

2.2 End date

-

2.3 Budget

-

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting:

Information leaflet for businesses on piracy and counterfeiting at trade fairs

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice: Emergency legal service

Training

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation

Other (specify):

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)

 

Trade fairs appear to be risky places for SMEs. Such measures may help them to avoid facing counterfeit products as well as to act rapidly in case of infringement of their IPR rights.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

http://www.zvei.org/index.php?id=3606

4.2 Web Site

http://www.auma-messen.de

http://zvei.org

4.3 Contacts

 

Till Barleben

ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V.)

Tel: +49 69 6302-352

Email: barleben@zvei.org

4.4 Information Source

Technopolis report: “Effects of counterfeiting on EU SMEs and a review of various public and private IPR enforcement initiatives and resources”

Title of initiative

 SIGNO SME Patent Action (SIGNO KMU Patentaktion)

1. General presentation

1.1 Country

Germany

The SIGNO SME Patent Action aims at supporting SMEs and enterprise starters who intend to protect their R&D results for the first time by IPRs (patents and utility models only) or whose last application is more than five years old.

The SIGNO SME Patent Action intends to contribute to the strategic understanding of the patent system and the benefits of using IPRs by SMEs service and has the following specific goals:

· To reduce barriers in SMEs to using patents and to optimise SMEs' innovation management;

· To increase the number of qualified patent applications by SMEs;

· To make SMEs aware of the economic aspects and the exploitability of an invention;

· To improve the use of patent information by SMEs, and

· To improve the conditions in SMEs for the commercialisation of patents.

The main instrument of the service is a subsidy corresponding to up to 50% of eligible costs for tasks related to patent-application. The subsidy is paid out in several instalments and linked to five different service packages: (in brackets: max. grant amount)

· Searches for "the state of the art" with respect to current developments in technical fields (€ 800);

· Cost/benefit analysis with regard to patenting a product or process (€ 800);

· Assistance by a patent attorney for the application of patents or utility models at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt) (€ 2,100);

· Support for preparations for the commercialisation of an invention (€ 1,600);

· Assistance by a patent attorney with respect to the application of patents abroad (€ 2,700).

The maximum grant amount for SMEs that use all five service packages is thus € 8,000.

The service is operated by a regionally organised network of SIGNO partners. They assists the supported SME/start-up by developing a timetable for the take-up of the agreed services and accompanies the user in the role of a coach during the total support period (max. 18 months). The agreed services are provided either by the regional SIGNO partner or by external consultants or service providers.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector:

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology

SIGNO-Projektmanagement, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln

 

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

1995

2.2 End date

ongoing

2.3 Budget

Total annual budget (2005): € 1.83 million, of which € 1.64 million are earmarked for direct service activities, € 0.19 million for the operational management.

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice

Training

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation

Other (specify):

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Austrian Institute for SME Research appraisal:

The service was carefully planned and set up, is offered nationwide with regional outlets, has a high degree of customer-specific advice built-in and is integrated into a wider range of other IPR-related SIGNO services. User survey and evaluation results indicate a very favourable ratio of invested resources with respect to achieved output. The service illustrates a positive interaction between patent attorneys and the service providers which seems to be an important success factor for the service. Challenges arise mainly in terms of marketing needs.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

-

4.2 Web Site

http://www.signo-deutschland.de/content/index_ger.html 

4.3 Contacts

 

Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln

Dipl.-Wv Kerstin Krey

Projektleiterin SIGNO

Postfach 10 19 42

50459 Köln

  Tel.: 0221 4981-832
  Fax: 0221 4981-99832
 

E-Mail: krey@iwkoeln.de

Internet: www.signo.de

4.4 Information Source

Austrian Institute for SME Research - PRO INNO Europe Paper: “Benchmarking National and Regional Support Services for SMEs in the field of Intellectual and Industrial Property”

Title of initiative

Network of Patent Information Centres – PICs, in particular Stuttgart PIC (Patentinformationszentren - PIZ)

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

Germany´s Patent Information Centres denote a nation-wide network of information centres which provide information on patents. The Patent Information Centres are a very old support structure (dating back to the 19th century), and their initial task was to offer reading rooms for patent documents. The scope of the services has been extended ever since to offer value-added services for SMEs, but one of the primary activities is still related to conducting patent searches. There is national coverage with 24 regional Patent Information Centres in almost every German federal state.

Using the PIC Stuttgart as an example, the following services are offered:

· Patent search services in databases: performed either by the customer or by PIC staff (difference in fee) at the PIC premises. Increasing use of the freely accessible IPR databases on the Internet offered by PIC Stuttgart.

· Initial free legal advice by external patent attorneys for SMEs and private inventors (weekly at PIC Stuttgart); non-legal advice on IPR matters from the PIC staff.

· Organisation of training courses and seminars (max. number of participants 22, fee: €210 per participant). Due to recent global economic developments requiring better use of formal IP protection mechanisms, the relevance of these courses to SMEs has increased during the last years.

· Organisation of an “IPR Day” (a conference with IPR speeches; every second year an inventor’s prize is awarded by the state of Baden-Württemberg).

· On PIC Stuttgart’s website there is an extensive collection of FAQs and answers with regard to various IPRs and the services of the patent information office itself.

· Furthermore, papers by experienced patent attorneys on various aspects of IPRs are available for download on PIC Stuttgart's website together with literature recommendations and a list of relevant laws and regulations, official documents and brochures etc.

· Other services, like the organisation of information events, university lectures, teaching students (one-day course for beginners or advanced users), provision of brochures and information material etc., copying services and a telephone hotline.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector:

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

Network of Patent Information Centres (PICs)

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

Late 19 th century

2.2 End date

Ongoing

2.3 Budget

Annual budget of the PIC Stuttgart (2005): € 750,000

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting: IPR hotline

Dedicated Information Provision: website, online IPR databases, IPR information packages

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice: Initial legal advice

Training: courses and seminars for SMEs and IPR conferences

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation

Other (specify):

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

Austrian Institute for SME Research appraisal:

An interesting element of good practice is PIC Stuttgart's information and training activities in co-operation with technical universities and colleges. User survey and evaluation results indicate a very favourable ratio of invested resources with respect to achieved output.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

-

4.2 Web Site

http://www.patente-stuttgart.de/?page=home

4.3 Contacts

 

Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart Haus der Wirtschaft Willi-Bleicher-Str. 19 70174 Stuttgart

Telefon: (07 11) 123 - 25 58 Fax: (07 11) 123 - 25 60 E-Mail: info@patente-stuttgart.de

4.4 Information Source

Austrian Institute for SME Research - PRO INNO Europe Paper: “Benchmarking National and Regional Support Services for SMEs in the field of Intellectual and Industrial Property”

Title of initiative

Messe Frankfurt against Copying

1. General presentation

1.1 Overview

The ‘Messe Frankfurt against Copying’ scheme is a classic example of a counterfeiting and pirary ‘hot spot’ in a trade fair context with co-ordinated legal advice, other advisory support and enforcement services available in-situ to exhibitors via a stand at the Frankfurter Messe trade fair. Support is available to all exhibitors, whether SMEs or not. The success of the scheme has led to it now being replicated at trade fairs outside Germany.

1.2 Sector focus

Sector:

No specific sector

1.3 Institution (managing initiative)

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH in partnership with a network of IPR enforcement bodies from the public and private sectors

2. Detailed Information

2.1 Start date

January 2006

2.2 End date

Ongoing

2.3 Budget

-

2.4 Type of initiative

 

Initial Information & Signposting

Dedicated Information Provision

Dedicated Services

Professional Advice

Training

International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations

Funding & Evaluation

Public Access & Co-ordination Measures

Other (specify):

2.5 Type of IPR

All IPR

Industrial Property

Inventions :

Patents

Utility Models

Plant Varieties

Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Distinctive Signs :

Trade Marks

Trade Names

Geographical Indications, Designations of Origin

Aesthetic Creations:

Designs (industrial design)

Intellectual Property

Literary, Scientific, Artistic Creations :

Copyright

Neighbouring Rights

Rights in Common Law, Tort, Competition Law etc.

Trade Secrets, Licensing & Confidentiality Agreements

2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process

All Stages

Registration

Business Planning / Strategy

Investigations

Administrative Procedures

Litigation

Other (specify):

3. Evaluation of Initiative

3.1 Overall appraisal

The ‘Messe Frankfurt against Copying’ initiative is widely regarded as a successful scheme. The number of confiscations has fallen markedly (at some Messe Frankfurt events by as much as 30%) while applications for design registration are increasing. Some 5,000 people came to its stand at the 2007 Frankfurt trade fair.

4. Further Information

4.1 Document References

-

4.2 Web Site

http://www.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/de/messe/willkommen/mfac.html  

4.3 Contacts

 

Messe Frankfurt GmbH

Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage

D-60327 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

Tel: +49 69 75 75-01

Email: available via ‘contact’ on their website

4.4 Information Source

Best Practice Project: Strengthening the IPR Enforcement of EU Industry and SMEs – Case Study

Innovaccess is a constituent part of the IP Awareness and Enforcement: Modular Based Actions for SMEs project (IPeuropAware) 
which is co-financed by the CIP Programme, DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission