Seminar on Trademarks and Geographical Indications, Bangkok (23-25 July 2003)

ECAP Workshop on Trade Mark and Geographical Indications A Remarkable Success

OHIM and Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property jointly hosted a successful national event under the theme "Trade Mark and Geographical Indications" in Bangkok.

Under the ECAP framework, legal expert Irina Kireeva from law firm O'Connor and Company, along with Luis Berenguer, advisor from the Regulatory Council of food producer Jijona and Alicante Turron spent three days in Bangkok meeting with various groups of people in both the public and private sectors. The two experts held extensive exchanges with DIP officials in an internal workshop on 23 July 2003. In addition, the two experts had a lively session with 40 Thai judges from the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court on 24 July 2003.

Thailand is working on the passage of the Geographical Indications Act -- the draft is now under the final round of scrutiny by a joint Senate/Parliamentary committee. The government is meanwhile actively promoting the grassroots economy wherein a GI system can help add more value to products. Within this context, the theme of this ECAP-organized workshop is extremely topical. On 24 July 2003, Mrs Kireeva and Mr Berenguer gave a presentation on Trade Mark and Geographical Indications to 24 members of the European Union Intellectual Property Rights Network, a public/private sector forum grouping European companies interested in IP issues in Thailand. The session was immediately followed by a press briefing between the experts and a select group of Thai journalists representing publications that follow IP issues.

On July 25, 2003, Deputy Commerce Minister Wattana Muangsook presided over the opening of a public workshop, which attracted over 214 participants from the legal, academic, and business sectors. "The Ministry of Commerce recognizes the importance of GI protection and the strength of our community to employ traditional knowledge in production of high quality Thai goods for export. We have undertaken to propose a law on GI protection, assigned the DIP to set up a data registry for commercialisation of IP asset in line with the government's policy. We also support efforts to raise public awareness of the GI issue, such as this ECAP workshop," Mr Wattana said in his opening remarks at the forum.

Sidebar:

What some participants say about the Trade Mark and Geographical Indications workshop, Bangkok 25 July 2003,

• ?I find the workshop extremely helpful in explaining to me what GI means, enabling me to link this particular aspect with my previous knowledge about other IP issues, so that I can be better equipped to offer advice," said Ms Visa Imjai.
• ?The most important thing for me is the opportunity to learn about GI protection in Europe and how producers can benefit from the GI system," wrote Ms Phuangthong Amornlaxananont.
• ?Excellent choice of topic, relevant to all of us as the GI law is coming into effect in Thailand. I can now have some input to apply for the products of my company," said Mr Vichit Chaipramote.
• ?What I learnt from this workshop will make me think whether our products can qualify for GI protection. What I like the most is the practical example about Turron as presented by Mr Berenguer," wrote Ms Chantorn Pakdithai, from food producer Yummy Food Company.

Click here for presentation materials, in English and Thai version, by Mrs Irina Kireeva and Mr Luis Berenguer:
>> Thai version <<
>> English version 1 <<
>> English version 2 <<
>> English version 3 <<

Article from the Bangkok Business daily Newspaper

Summary of Press Briefing

As part of the ECAP National Programme for Thailand, Luis Berenguer, legal advisor from the Regulatory Council of Jijona and Alicante  Turron, and Irina Kireeva from law firm O?Connor and Company held a round-table meeting with officials from the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) July 23,2003.  The two European experts explored the topic of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications.

Director-General Yanyong Phuangrach was among the guests of honour at a dinner hosted by ECAP to welcome two European legal experts to conduct a series of workshops on Trade Marks & Geographical Indications in Bangkok during 23-25 July 2003.

Pictured here from left at the dinner party are ECAP II contact person Dr. Kajit Sukhum, DIP Deputy Director-General Boonnaris Suwannapool, LCU Manager-ECAP II Peter Buckley, Luis Berenguer from the Regulatory Council of  Jijona and Alicante Turron, DIP Director-General Yanyong Phuangrach, Mrs Irina Kireeva from O?Connor and Company, DIP Deputy Director-General Thawatchai Sophastienphong; and DIP Deputy Director- General Suraphol Jaovisidha.

Deputy Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook presided over the opening of a public workshop on Trade Marks and Geographical Indications on July 25, 2003, which attracted a strong turnout of over 200 participants.  Seen here from left at the opening ceremony are European legal expert Irina Kireeva who gave a presentation on European and international perspectives of geographical indications, Mr Watana, Mr. John Keating who represents the EC Delegation Bangkok at the workshop, and DIP Director General Yanyong Phuangrach, himself one of the speakers at the workshop.

Having an informal chat ahead of the opening ceremony for the workshop on Trade Marks and Geographical Indications in Bangkok on July 25,2003 were from left, John Keating from the EC Delegation in Bangkok, Deputy Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook,  LCU Manager-ECAP II Peter Buckley and DIP Director-General Yanyong Phuangrach.

Back to list of activities of Thailand