Russia Roundtable

"Finding Solutions to Practical Anticounterfeiting Problems in Russia" was the subject of INTA's November 29, 2005, Moscow roundtable. Gorodissky & Partners hosted the event, which was chaired by Eugene Arievich of Baker & McKenzie and co-moderated by Denis Khabarov of Baker and McKenzie and Vladimir Biruilin of Gorodissky & Partners.  

Representatives from the Ministry of Interior's Department of Combating Economic Crime of the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Customs Service, Rospatent and the Russian Judicial Academy, as well as from corporations and law firms, discussed key topics for brand owners enforcing their rights in Russia. Among the subjects covered were the interpretation of the concept of "guilt" in administrative proceedings; expert evaluation of counterfeit goods in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings; statutory damages and calculation of damages in criminal trademark infringement cases; and pre-suit preliminary injunctions in intellectual property infringement cases.  

Participants received background information on agenda items as well as comparative data on other jurisdictions' practices, which ensured a lively, interactive debate. The roundtable concluded by recommending practical steps to help Russian governmental agencies enforce trademark rights.

Thanks to sponsors Gorodissky & Partners, Baker and McKenzie, Euromarkpat Russia, ARS-PATENT Intellectual Property Law Firm and The Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR).

By Chehrazade Chemcham, INTA Manager, External Relations, Europe