TOPIC
TRADEMARK COUNTERFEITING UNDER THE BANGUI AGREEMENT: STAKES AND CHALLENGES
ABSTRACT
The last two decades has witnessed the advent of globalisation premised on trade liberalisation. This, coupled with an ever increasing technological growth, has caused an exponential increase in the production of goods and services of variable quality. Conversely too, there has been increased competition and a corresponding enlargement of the market.
Unfortunately, an increase in genuine trade witnesses an increase in fraudulent trading. This is perceivable in the illegal exploitation and annexation of trade marks. Marks are essential in a market as they indicate trade source and guarantee product liability.
In the face of this, states are called upon to erect trustworthy and viable intellectual property systems. These systems inspire confidence in investors, and are robust in the face of counterfeiting. This protection translates the very role of marks in business activities in an increasingly business oriented society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Table of Contents
Table of Statutes
Table of Cases
Table of Abbreviations
General Introduction
A - Statement of Problem
B - Work Purpose
C- Methodology Employed
D - Structure of the Work
PART I: LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ON TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
AND THEIR PERCULIARITIES
CHAPTER ONE: Trademark Infringement Prescriptions
1.1 Prescriptions Contained in International Conventions
1.1.1 The Paris Convention
1.1.2 Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement)(1994
1. 2. Prescriptions Applicable Within the O.A.P.I Zone
1.2.1 The Bangui Agreement
1.2.2 Other Applicable Instruments
1.2.2.1 The OHADA Treaty
1.2.2.2 Wholly Penal Instruments
CHAPTER TWO: Determination of Trademark Counterfeiting
2.1 Material Acts (actus reus)
2.1.1Use of a Sign Identical to the Trade Mark for Identical Goods or Services
2.1.2 Use of an Identical or Similar Sign for Dissimilar Goods or Services
2.1.3 Use of a Similar Trademark in Relation to the same goods
2.1.4 Use of the same trademark in relation to similar goods
2.1.5 Use of a similar trademark, in relation to similar goods
2. 2 Special Intention (mens rea
CHAPTER THREE: The Basis of Trademark Counterfeiting
3.1 Rules for Determining Trademark Counterfeiting
3.1.1 Registration
3.1.2 “Use”
3.1.3 “Likelihood of Confusion”
3.2 Limitations upon infringement
3.2.1 Legitimate uses of the mark by an unauthorised user
3.2.2 Exhaustion of rights
3.2.3 Conflicts between marks
PART TWO: Procedural Peculiarities for The Vindication of Aggrieved
Rights and The Raison D’être for combating Trademark Counterfeiting
CHAPTR FOUR: Competent Bodies, Sanctions and the Raison d’être of Combating Counterfeiting
4.1 Competent Bodies
4.1.1 The Court
4.1.2 Cross-Boarder Measures
4.1.3 National Anti-Counterfeiting Committees
4.1.4 International Bodies
4.2 Sanctions
4.2.1 Punishment
4.2.2 Preliminary Measures
4.3 Raison D’être for Combating Trademark Counterfeiting
4.3.1 The Impact of Counterfeiting
4.3.1.1 To the right holder
4.3.1.2 To the state
4.3.1.3 Social Cost
4.3.2 Rapid Increase in Trademark Counterfeiting
4.3.2.1 Advances in Technology
4.3.2.2 Increased International Trade
4.3.2.3 Emerging Markets
4.3.3 Trademark Counterfeiting and Other IP Infringements
CHAPTER FIVE: Evaluations and Proposals
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
TABLE OF STATUTES
1. Agreement revising the Bangui agreement of March 2, 1977 on the creation of an African intellectual Property Organisation – revised in 1999
2. Paris convention for the protection of industrial property 188 as revised in 1967
3. The 1994 Trademark Act, to make new provisions for registered trademarks, implementing canal Directive no 89/104/EEC of 21st December 1993 on the community trademark; to give effect to the Madrid Protocol relating to the International Registration of Marks of 27 June 1989, and to certain provisions of the Paris Convention for the protection of industrial property of 20th March 1883, as revised and amended; and for connected purposes”. (The 1994 TMA)
4. The Berne convention for the protection of Literary and Artistic works, 1886 as revised in 1971
5. The Treaty in Respect of Integrated circuits 1989
6. The Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of intellectual Property 1994
7. Nice Agreement concerning the International classification of goods and services for the purpose of the Registration of marks 1999
8. The International Convention for the protection of performers, producers of photographers and Broadcasting organisation (the Rome Convention) (1961)
9. Law No 2000/11 of 19 December 2000 on copyright and neighbouring rights.
10. Law No 96 – 06 of 18th January 1996, constitution of the Republic of Cameroon.
11. The Cameroonian Penal code (Law no 65 – LF – 24 of 12th November and Law No 67 – LF- I of 12th June 1967)
12. Law No 2005 – 7 of July 2005 on the Criminal Procedure Code.
13. Decree No 2005/0528/PM of 15 February 2005 creating and organising the functioning of the Adhoc committee on the coordination of operations of the fight against fraud, contraband and counterfeiting.
14. The Uniform act relating to General commercial Law (OHADA) 1998.
TABLE OF CASES
1. Philips Electronics v Remington consumer products limited. [2003] RPC 14, 22
2. Regina V. Johnstone [2003] UKHL 28
3. saville Perfumery V. June Perfect [1941] 58 RPC 147
4. Canon KK V. MGM [1999] E.T.M.R I ECJ.
5. General Motors V. Yplon [1999] E.T.M.R. 122
6. Decision no 19/CSRI/OAPI of 5th October 2001
7. Decision No 20/CSR/OAPI of 5th October 2001
8. Sable BV V Puma AG, Rudolf Dassler Sport (1997) ECRI
9. Ravenhead Brick V. Ruabon Brick (1937) 54 RPC. 34
10. Wagamama V. City centre restaurant (1995) F.S.R 713
11. Société la SEIGNEURIE c La Société SMALTO judgement civil No 574 of June 5th 1998. (Unreported)
12. Decision No 011/CS12/OAPI of December 21, 2000
13. Decision No 012/CS12/OAPI of December 21, 2000
14. Decision No 007/CR12/OAPI of December 21, 2000
15. Decision No 001/CR12/OAPI of 10th March 2000
16. Decision No 004/CS12/OAPI of December 21, 2000
17. Growmax V. Don and low (1999) R.P.C 367.
18. Affaire Clipper C.A Paris, 4eme Chambre, 30th October 1986, P 113 D. 1987
19. KHAN DENIS PENN V. TAYO TALLA JEAN suit no CASWP/71/2003 (unreported).
20.Visa International V. Editions Liberna [1998] E.T.M.R 380
21. Mothercare UK Limited V. Penguin Books Limited [1988] RPC 113
22. Arsenal Football club plc v Reed [2003] RPC 144
23. Decision No 010/CSR/OAPI of 21 December 2000
24. Bravado Merchandising v. Mainstream Publishing (Edinburdh) Merchandising v. Mainstream Publishing (Edinburg) ltd (1996) F.S.R 205
25. Musidor BV v. Tansing 91994) 123 ALR 593
26. Hoffmann – La Roche v. Centrafarm (1978) ECR. 1139
27. Bristol – myers squibb v. Centrafarm (1978) E.C.R 1823
28. Decision No 002/CSR/OAPI/10 March 2000
29. Decision No 002/CRS/OAPI/10 march 2000
30. British Telecom v. one in a million (1999) F.S.RI.
TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS
1. ARIPO – African Regional Industrial Property Organisation
2. CEMAC – Central African Economic and Monitory Union.
3. CIB – Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau.
4. EU – European Union
5. ECOWAS – Economic Union for West African States.
6. GACG – Global Anti Counterfeiting Group
7. ICC– International Chamber of Commence
8. OAPI - African Intellectual Property Organisation
9. OHADA – L’Organisation pour L’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires.
10. REACT – Réseau Européen Anti – Contrefaçon
11. WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organisation.
Ngang Andrew
Magistrate, Yaounde
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