SECOND MEETING OF RUSSIA IP WORKING GROUP:
RESULTS OF COALITION-BUILDING MEETING IN MOSCOW

The IP Working Group, an initiative by CIPR to bring together trademark, patent and copyright holders and their trade associations, met November 5, 2002 at the CIPR office. Dr. Korchagin, General Director of Rospatent, and State Duma deputy Petr Shelisch, were among the policymakers participating.

CIPR President Peter Necarsulmer provided an overview of priorities for the working group, including:

• Enact all pending IP legislation in the RF State Duma.

• Broaden base of the Working Group and implement proposed action plan steps.

• Continue close coordination with business associations, consumer and copyright organizations.

• Expand direct involvement of Russian IP owners in CIPR and the Working Group.

Dr. Korchagin briefed participants on the structure and mission of the RF Government’s Interagency Commission on IP . Headed by Prime Minister M. Kasyanov and Minister of Press, TV, Radio and Mass Communications Mikhail Lesin, the Commission is comprised of other high-ranking officials. The Commission held its first meeting later in November 2002.

Dr. Korchagin also shared Rospatent’s priorities for 2003, which include developing a database of international IP owners, addressing pharmaceutical counterfeiting and related issues and completing a draft law on optical media.

On the legislative front, participants highlighted needs for 2003 including approval of pending amendments to the Patent Law, passage of a Customs Code, and amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Criminal Code.

Other participants offered additional objectives.

• Detailed summary of the November 5, 2002 joint meeting.