| CALL TO ACTION ON UKRAINE ADVERTISING LAW September 11, 2003 We are calling your attention to a proposed amendment to Ukraine's Law on Advertising, which would require that advertising of registered trademarks be translated into the Ukrainian language. The proposed amendment, introduced by MP Stephen Havrysh, is a direct violation of Ukraine's existing trademark law and runs counter to many national legislative norms, as well as Article 6.1 of the Paris Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property, to which Ukraine is a signatory. The amendment was passed on July 11, and is currently awaiting signature by President Leonid Kuchma. Deadline for either signing or vetoing the law is September 14. The text of the amendment is as follows: "Advertising is disseminated on the territory of Ukraine solely in the Ukrainian language. The trademarks, logos registered in accordance with the applicable procedure may be presented in the original language. In such case, the trademark (logo) in the foreign language should be duplicated into Ukrainian in such a way that the appearance of the trademark (logo) in Ukrainian is of the same size, color and style as its appearance in the foreign language. Next to the trademark (logo) in the foreign language, information on the address of the headquarters of the company-owner of the trademark, year of registration of the company-owner, and information concerning products (works, services) offered under the trademark should be placed. Trademarks (logos) of Ukrainian companies should be presented in Ukrainian language solely." Opposition to this amendment has already been voiced by a number of business groups and industry associations, including: Ukraine Trademark Association (UTA); Ukrainian Advertising Coalition (UCA); American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham); Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR); as well as dozens of local and international companies investing and doing business in Ukraine. In addition, Mykola Paladiy, Chairman of Ukraine's State Department for Intellectual Property (SDIP), a number of prominent MPs, government legal experts and pro-business proponents have also joined in adding their voice in opposing this proposed amendment. CIPR Corporate & Associate Members, as well as friends are urged to write letters to the President and/or raise this issue during any meeting opportunities with Government of Ukraine officials voicing opposition to this legislation. The address for President Kuchma is as follows: His Excellency Leonid D. Kuchma
President of Ukraine
Vul. Bankova 11
Kyiv, Ukraine 01220 Alternatively, you can fax your letter to the CIPR Ukraine office and we will deliver it in real time to the Presidential Administration. CIPR's fax number is +380-44-464-1241, telephone +380-44-464-1240. Thank you for your attention to this matter. | 
