Counterfeiting and piracy causes significant damage to industrial operators
and business in many sectors. Fashion sectors, such as Textiles and Leather,
are particularly affected. Seizures at borders and on the maket have increased
in frequency over recent years reveiling a concerning trend, yet this
is only the 'tip of the iceberg'.
According to the European Commission, SME's, notably in traditional sectors,
are often unaware of their rights and on how to defend them. In order
to redress the situation the EU has launched a series of information actions,
campaigns and projects in this field, including the IP-Base Project.
The IP-Base project is a multi-million Euro Project coordinated by the
University of Alicante and involving the National Patent Offices of EU
Member States.
---> Information note on the Project
Workpackage 13 of the IP-Base Project is dedicated to elaborating reader
friendly Handbooks regarding Intellectual Property Rights in the textiles,
clothing, furniture, footwear and leather sector. Due to its extensive
experience and networks, COTANCE has been designated by the IP-Base Project
for taking care of the development of the Handbooks regarding the leather
industry.
The development of the Handbooks that COTANCE will perform for leather,
leathergoods, leather clothing and footwear includes a consultation to
stakeholders during the month of May 2008.
A Draft Handbook Content list has been elaborated covering all potential
issues that operators may encounter in the field of IPR. Not all possible
sections may be relevant for the leather sector's operators and this needs
to be identified.
---> Questionnaire on Intellectual
Property Rights issues and on the content of the Handbook
If you are an operator of the European Leather sector and you want to
participate in the exercise, you are welcome to share with us your views
on the IPR issues and on the content of the projected Handbook. Please
read the on-line brochure on the eventual content of the Handbook and
print the questionnaire for filling it in and sending it back to COTANCE
by the end of May.
---> Brochure presenting the content
of the Handbook.
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