Enforcement Best Practices
ITALY
Summary:
- FALSTAFF - Fully Automated Logical System Against Forgery & Fraud
- Competitiveness Package (Pacchetto Competitività)
- Inimitable Enterprise (Inimitabile Impresa)
- Anti-counterfeiting Desks (Desk Anticontraffazione)
- High Commissioner to combat counterfeiting and piracy (Alto Commissario per la lotta alla Contraffaz
- Bilateral Chambers of Commerce - Promotion and Protection of Quality Products
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FALSTAFF - Fully Automated Logical System Against Forgery & Fraud |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Country |
Italy |
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Title of initiative |
FALSTAFF - Fully Automated Logical System Against Forgery & Fraud |
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1.1 Overview |
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In 2004, the Agenzia delle Dogane created an electronic databank of original products (especially those exposed to counterfeiting) produced in Italy. This databank is continuously updated by companies and allows Customs to compare the features of original products to suspect products. When a company claims the rights to protect its products, it automatically generates a "card" reporting all the technical features of the original product. The databank includes pictures of products and their typical "commercial itineraries". All the information uploaded in the databank is passed on to Customs offices. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Agenzia delle Dogane |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
2004 |
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2.2 End date |
Ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
€ 500,000 – 1,000,000 (p.a.). Overall budget: € 5 million |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision: Databank containing detailed descriptions of protected products to allow Customs to compare with potentially counterfeited copies. Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify) |
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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 |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): N/A |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 5 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)
In 2005 FALSTAFF received an Honourable Mention at the eEurope Awards 2005 for being the most ambitious and innovative initiative against counterfeiting. Over 25 industry associations (representing over 5000 SMEs and large firms) are already involved in FALSTAFF. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
http://www.agenziadogane.it/wps/wcm/connect/resources/file/ebcb7c49976523d/alvaro.pdf?MOD=AJPERES |
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4.2 Web Site |
http://www.agenziadogane.it/wps/wcm/connect/ed/Servizi/F.A.L.S.T.A.F.F./ |
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4.3 Contacts |
Mr Romano +39 06 50246085 |
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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” |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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Confindustria has prepared a package of specific measures intended to support companies, particularly SMEs, in protecting, managing and, above all, enhancing the value of the results of R&D activities. The “Pacchetto Competitività” aims at encouraging the diffusion of the culture to protect IPRs, through the creation of a modern and effective system of IPR asset management capable of assuring all stakeholders a fair exploitation of their own rights. The project consists of seminars held at industry associations all over Italy at which Confindustria provides entrepreneurs and stakeholders with all the necessary information about: § incentives for IPR, § support in registering patents, § measures in support of innovation (and patenting), § measures for creating consortia of SMEs and manage licenses (especially in industrial districts). Seminars addressed to small entrepreneurs have already been organized within a certain number of industrial associations. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Confindustria |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
2005 |
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2.2 End date |
- |
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2.3 Budget |
- |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision Dedicated Services Professional Advice: Advice on IPR asset management Training : Series of seminars in IPR asset management for SMEs held across Italy International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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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 |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): N/A |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)
The initiative still has to be implemented. However many industry associations have showed interest for the seminars held by Confindustria. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
- |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts |
Mr. Giannesi (switchboard +39 06 59031) |
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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” |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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ICE (Istituto per il Commercio Estero) and Scuola Superiore dell'Economia e delle Finanze (SSEF) have organised 20 seminars aimed at promoting the relevance of IPR for protecting "Made in Italy", for the valorisation of intellectual capital and for sustaining competitiveness on foreign markets. ICE intends to promote the importance and value of IP to relevant stakeholders and SMEs and to offer information support to hinder counterfeiting. ICE’s objective is to reach at least 1,000 enterprises located all over Italy. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
ICE-Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of SSEF |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
January 2007 |
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2.2 End date |
- |
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2.3 Budget |
- |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision: Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training : Series of 20 seminars International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures Other (specify): |
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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 |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): N/A |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 3 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful) ICE claims that industry associations appreciate this initiative. Many companies participated to their events. However, this initiative is not particularly innovative as it focuses completely on promotional activities. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
- |
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4.2 Web Site |
http://www.ice.gov.it/formazione/il_progetto.htm |
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4.3 Contacts |
Ms. Guerrieri +39 06 59926019 |
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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” |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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The desks are funded by the Government and represent a tool for supporting Italian enterprises in combating Counterfeiting and unfair competition in those foreign markets where counterfeiting is particularly common (China, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Turkey, Vietnam, Emirates, Russia, Brazil, U.S.). The desks are located in ICE offices (Istituto per il Commercio Estero) worldwide. They offer free support to business in the areas of: legal advice, market monitoring, information and assistance for registering IP in hosting countries, assistance for claiming IPR. The IP helpdesks run by IP experts (an Italian IP expert supported by a local IP expert) provide for information on how the local IP system works (registration procedures for each IPR and enforcement procedures in the event of infringement). There is also a special legal assistance if the solution of an infringement case represent a pilot case to open the market. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Ministry of Economic Development (Italian Patent and Trademark Office), The High Commissioner to combat counterfeiting and piracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of International Trade (through Italian Institute for Foreign Trade - ICE) |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
December 2007 |
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2.2 End date |
- |
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2.3 Budget |
- |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting: Initial information and IPR Helpdesk Dedicated Information Provision: Packaged information, web site and contact information Dedicated Services: Market monitoring and providing (non-legal) representation for specific SMEs on the ground where infringement is taking place Professional Advice: Legal Advice Training: Occasional seminars and workshops International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations: Highlighting cases at a national and European level, IPR Enforcement support services in Trade Fairs (in future) Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures: Providing access to enforcement authorities Other (specify): |
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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 |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Technopolis appraisal: 4 (1 = very unsatisfactory , 5 = very successful)
This initiative is very innovative as it offers support to companies on counterfeiting issues directly in the countries where this problem is widespread. It is too early to find any evidence about the effectiveness of this initiative. Nevertheless, there are high expectations about the support that Desks will provide to companies abroad. |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
- |
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4.2 Web Site |
Web site is under construction and will be also accessible by web sites of all administrations involved |
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4.3 Contacts |
Mr Giovanni De Sanctis giovanni.desanctis@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it ----------- Ms. Guerrieri +39 06 59926019 |
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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” & Daniela A. R. Carosi - Italian Patent and Trademark Office (Ministry of Economic Development) |
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Title of initiative |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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The High Commissioner to combat counterfeiting and piracy (c&p) is responsible for: § Coordination of supervision functions in the field of IPRs infringement § Monitoring prevention and repressive activities carried out by the Italian police forces and customs § Studies and proposals on the legislation combating c&p § Planning and promotion of information and awareness campaigns aimed at enterprises and consumers § Exchange of information and experience with the Bench § Exchange of information and experience with industry to monitoring the evolution of c&p phenomena § Assistance to the private sector suffering counterfeiting Established in 2005, the HC is supported by two deputy HCs and a scientific committee made up by ten expert (magistrates, police forces representatives, IP professors, Customs, expert in combating counterfeiting at enterprises level). In order to ensure an effective policy to combat c&p the HC has set up two permanent working groups which meet up bi-monthly. One group gathers all the public actors involved in combating c&p while the other gathers representatives of Industry, Consumers and Workers (Unions). The HC has also established a dedicated service to enterprises: it is possible to send an email (assistenza.imprese@aclc.gov.it) or a fax (0039 06 47055454) to the HC to report violations and infringements of IPRs and to ask for information related to IPR enforcement. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Ministry of Economic Development |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
May 2005 |
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2.2 End date |
Ongoing |
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2.3 Budget |
- |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision: Packaged information, contact information Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures: National co-ordination and promotion of networking and providing access to enforcement authorities Other (specify): |
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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 |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigation Other (specify): |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
- |
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4.2 Web Site |
http://www.aclc.gov.it |
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4.3 Contacts |
Alto Commissario per la lotta alla Contraffazione Via Sallustiana, 53 00187 Roma – Italia Tel.: +39 0647055426 Fax.: + 39 0647055454 E-mail segreteria@aclc.gov.it |
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4.4 Information Source |
IPR Enforcement Support Expert Group (Daniela A. R. Carosi - Italian Patent and Trademark Office) |
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Bilateral Chambers of Commerce - Promotion and Protection of Quality Products |
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1. General presentation |
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1.1 Overview |
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The Project aims to encourage the participation of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce in opening up the markets of emerging countries and increasing the internationalisation of Italian companies. These activities include: · providing informative/promotional literature about Italian quality products; · arranging seminars and workshops designed to help Italian businesses open up foreign markets to such quality goods and to support SMEs’ awareness about IPR enforcement; · identifying case studies and best practice; · promoting the results of the Project. In particular , the Project aims to facilitate an exchange of information between Chambers of Commerce in Italy and Italian Chambers abroad : · providing information on business experience and promoting business opportunities and investment both in Italy and abroad; · helping create strategic alliances between Italian and foreign companies and improving know-how about foreign markets (including knowledge about Italian companies and activities located abroad); · increasing the internationalization of Italian companies in those areas where such internationalization is lacking. The Project, promoted by the Italian-Argentine Bilateral Chamber of Commerce with the support of the Bilateral Chambers of Commerce Network, encourages co-ordinated action to support the commercialization of quality Italian technological and lifestyle products and equipment (including Italian design). Commercial ties are promoted between Italy and countries belonging to the Mercosur area, new EU Member States and emerging countries, through the organisation in Italy of bilateral meetings between Italian businesses and foreign businesses and institutions. Effective management of intellectual property rights is a significant theme in all these activities. In particular, training is provided on how Intellectual Property protection instruments such as trademarks and patents can help to open up markets and enhance the value of business assets, as well as on the use of such instruments and the means of enforcing IPR abroad . This training takes the form of training modules, best practice guides and case studies and the “know-how” acquired as a result of the Project will then be passed on in a subsequent “follow-up” phase delivered to the entire the Bilateral Chambers of Commerce System, as well as to all businesses and general Chambers of Commerce. The practical results of this Project will be brought together as resources that will be available to businesses, Chambers of Commerce and other institutions. |
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1.2 Sector focus |
Sector: food and agricultural products (wines, cheeses, oils, etc.); furniture/home design; fashion (clothing and accessories) No specific sector |
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1.3 Institution (managing initiative) |
Italian-Argentine Bilateral Chamber of Commerce (CACIA) and the Bilateral Chambers of Commerce Section of the Union of Italian Chambers of Commerce |
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2. Detailed Information |
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2.1 Start date |
April 2008 |
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2.2 End date |
April 2009 |
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2.3 Budget |
- |
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2.4 Type of initiative
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Initial Information & Signposting Dedicated Information Provision: Packaged information, contact information Dedicated Services Professional Advice Training International Liaison & Actions by Business Organisations Funding & Evaluation Public Access & Co-ordination Measures: National co-ordination and promotion of networking and providing access to enforcement authorities Other (specify): |
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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 |
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2.6 Stage in Enforcement Process |
All Stages Registration Business Planning / Strategy Investigations Administrative Procedures Litigations Other (specify): |
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3. Evaluation of Initiative |
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3.1 Overall appraisal |
Indicators of efficiency and quality have been defined for the project : - Number of businesses and institutions involved in the Project (a min. of 50) - Promotional meetings, seminars and training workshops (a min. of 5) - Advertising and promotional activity (a min. of 20) - Case Studies and best practice cases (a min. of 20) - Publication of results |
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4. Further Information |
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4.1 Document References |
- |
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4.2 Web Site |
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4.3 Contacts |
Elio De Tullio Deputy Secretary General Italian-Argentine Chamber of Commerce Tel: +39 06 8558140 Mobile: 347 3798246 Mail: info@cacia.it |
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4.4 Information Source |
IPR Enforcement Support Expert Group |
