United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
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United Nations Economic Commission for Europe |
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[Index] [Russian] |
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Geneva, 27 April 2001
On 23 and 24 April 2001, a major two-day consultative meeting was held in Moscow between the Government of the Russian Federation and the UNECE Advisory Group on the Protection and Implementation of Intellectual Rights for Investment. This meeting was coordinated and chaired by Rospatent (Russian Agency for Patents and Trademarks) responsible for intellectual property issues. Over last several years, the Russian Federation has established an appropriate legislative system for intellectual property protection and now it faces the critical challenge of its practical implementation.
During the first day experts from the Advisory Group met with the representatives of the State Duma, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Interior, Tax Police, Ministry of Anti-monopoly Policy and Business Support, Arbitration Court to discuss the challenges posed by piracy and counterfeiting, and possible action for strengthening intellectual property enforcement. On the second day the discussion continued with the representatives of the right holders and various non-governmental associations and organizations such as Russian Authors’ Society, Russian Association of Patent Attorneys, and Russian Phonographic Association. The industry representatives from Procter & Gamble, Phillip Morris, Microsoft, IFPI (International Federation of Phonogram Producers) and others were sharing their practical experience in tackling intellectual property crimes in other regions of the world.
The UNECE Advisory Group task force will now prepare a special report that will be issued shortly by the UNECE and the Russian Government. It will set out conclusions of the meeting and an action plan for follow-up activities. This action plan will be further implemented through the joint activities of the Advisory Group and the Russian governmental bodies.
As Mr. Alexander Korchagin, Director General for Rospatent, stated "the consultative meeting of the UNECE Advisory Group proved to be timely and useful. It helped to analyse and discuss on a practical level what can be done for developing and improving intellectual property protection in the Russian Federation. We hope this meeting will be followed by a number of concrete actions that assists the Russian Federation in creating a more favourable climate for investment in new technology, creativity and innovative business".
Ms. Irina Savelieva, Chairperson of the UNECE Advisory Group underlined that it represents a unique partnership between the public and private sectors at the highest possible level, to improve the enforcement of IP rights in the transition economies of central and eastern Europe and the CIS. "The overall goal of the Advisory Group is to identify the needs of these counties in assistance required for strengthening intellectual property enforcement and improving the investment environment" she said.
Note to Editors: In October 1998, a major forum was held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The UNECE is one of five regional commissions under the UN responsible for promoting inter-alia trade and investment into their specific regions. The forum brought together senior government representatives from these transition economies with senior private sector representatives to discuss the problems facing the enforcement of IP rights in the region. As a result of this meeting, an Advisory Group was created to implement the recommendations of the forum participants.
For more information, please contact:
Larissa Kapitsa, Chief
Coordinating Unit for Operational Activities
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, SwitzerlandTelephone: (+ 41 22) 917 42 21
Telefax: (+ 41 22) 917 01 78
E-mail: larissa.kapitsa@unece.org
The Advisory Group website is at: http://www.unece-ipr.org
Ref: ECE/OPA/01/01