Director of the UE “Belpatentservice” BelCCI Vyacheslav Trofimov takes part in the III International Scientific and Practical conference “Intellectual Property in the Modern World: Challenges of Time and Prospects for Development”,which is held on October
The Forum, held in the National Library of Belarus, gathered leaders and experts of the National Center for Intellectual Property (NCIP), the Eurasian Patent Office of the Eurasian Patent Organization, representatives of national patent offices and scientific community of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Tajikistan, specialists of patent services of Belarusian enterprises of the real sector of the economy, Russian and Belarusian civil lawyers, patent attorneys of the Republic of Belarus, teachers and students of the Belarusian State University.
In his welcoming speech, First Vice Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology (SCST) Denis Korzhitsky noted: “Today, any investor before investing in a business finds out who controls the intellectual property of the project. Although there are many areas of business, they all have one thing in common – they must record and control their intellectual property.”
According to Denis Leonidovich, any result of intellectual activity forms property, which becomes a competitive advantage, provided it is handled correctly.
Vladimir Ryabovolov, the Director General of NCIP, welcoming the conference participants, drew the attention of the audience to the fact that, being a universal instrument of protection, the intellectual property system is reflected in all spheres of state activity. Intellectual property invisibly accompanies scientific and technical processes and is a key element of all innovative developments. This indicates its close relationship with the improvement of high-tech sectors of the economy.
The conference was divided into three sections, with two plenary sessions.
The discussion on parallel imports proved to be interesting.
The adopted Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 241-Z of January 3, 2023 “On Restriction of Exclusive Rights to Intellectual Property Objects” allows the import and introduction into civil circulation of goods, where intellectual property objects are used, without the consent of right holders from foreign countries, committing unfriendly actions. Such objects are considered to be computer programs, audiovisual and musical works, broadcasts of broadcasting organizations. The use of these objects is not considered a violation of exclusive rights.
The conditions for the use of other intellectual property objects contained in imported goods include: essential importance of goods for the domestic market, critical shortage of goods in the domestic market or the presence of a clear threat of such shortage, as well as the inclusion of goods in the relevant lists. The Council of Ministers is entrusted to determine the state bodies authorized to determine and maintain such lists, as well as the procedure for their formation and maintenance.
However, speakers at the seminar noted that this law has not yet been enacted.
Only on October 18, during the conference days the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus № 696 “On the use of certain objects of copyright and related rights” (registered in NRPA on October 18, 2023 № 5/52256) was adopted.
Based on the Law of January 03, 2023 No. 241-Z “On Restriction of Exclusive Rights to Intellectual Property Objects” the resolution approved:
• Regulations on the procedure for creating and maintaining lists of right holders and organizations for collective management of property rights;
• Regulations on remuneration for the use of audiovisual works and programs of broadcasting organizations.
The resolution comes into force on October 21, 2023.
