Top brands to join fair to boost IP awareness

Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart said that leading global brand names such as Lacoste have fully supported the government’s plan to organise the fair as it would increase the use of legal products.

Local and overseas copyright owners will offer discounts of up to 50 per cent to shoppers. Many products, including brand-name apparel, watches, shoes, handbag, leather goods, CD, and DVD will be sold at the fair.

Moreover, the Intellectual Property Department will organise a public seminar to hear concerns about IPR and seek new measures on how the government should combat violations.

The government will stringently impose laws and measures to crack down on violations as the problem has affected not only brand-owners’ income, but also the country’s growth, said Siriwat. The seminar with the public and involved sectors will bring forth new ideas for the government to solve the problem.

The seminar is scheduled to be held on October 5.

On the same day, the department, the Thai Software Industry Association and leading law firm Tilleke & Gibbins will organise the country’s first seminar on the new US law that will directly impact manufacturers and exporters in Thailand.

The "Unfair Competition Act", is aimed at creating a level playing field for manufacturers and exporters worldwide and requires that they use only legitimate IT – both software and hardware – in carrying out their business from offices to factories. The law is applicable to those selling and supplying finished goods and components that are parts of other products. Violators could be blacklisted or have their goods seized.

The seminar on UCA law, entitled "Shifting Sands in International Trade – Opportunities for Southeast Asian Manufacturers", will educate Thai exporters and manufacturers to increase awareness on IPR violation as they could be seriously punished after the law is enforced soon.