BUSINESS BRIEF: VENEZUELA


regular trial costs of between $25,000 and $30,000, increasing by approximately $12,500 for an injunction proceeding.


What are the key threats to trademark owners, and what is the best strategy for dealing with infringement?


Te main threat to trademark owners is the infringement of trademarks and trade dress.


Keeping a close eye on the market by employing a local investigator to monitor said market is the best strategy to deal with infringements.


Working with public authorities and enforcement agencies is important and is a more efficient approach when an infringement is committed.


What are the most common mistakes that trademark owners make?


Te most common mistake is the miscommunication between departments in a company. It is very important to establish a trademark plan in coordination with the company’s business, marketing and growth plans. Tese plans must be studied and analysed with the legal, marketing and advertising departments of the company in order to avoid confusion and incurring unnecessary expense. Te emphasis should be on effective and preventive planning.


Counterfeiting and online piracy


How big a problem is counterfeiting and/or online piracy in your jurisdiction? Counterfeiting is definitely one of the biggest problems relating to IP rights. In Venezuela, online piracy and counterfeiting are equally serious problems. Vendors of counterfeit DVDs and CDs can be found on almost all street


www.worldipreview.com


Emilia Díaz-Guijarro is an attorney at Hoet Peláez Castillo & Duque. She can be contacted at: ediazguijarro@hpcd.com


Maria Nebreda is a partner at Hoet Peláez Castillo & Duque. She can be contacted at: marianebreda@hpcd.com


World Intellectual Property Review Annual 2012 149


corners, and local markets are full of other counterfeited products (shoes, bags, clothes and more).


What industries are particularly at threat? Te music, film and fashion industries are the most threatened industries.


What are the best strategies for dealing with the problem?


Having a local counsel who can provide information and advise regarding the preventive measures that should be taken is the most effective strategy for defending IP rights.


General


Are there any legislative changes to the IP regime that would make life easier for businesses?


Te Supreme Court’s silence regarding the applicable law in Venezuela to regulate IP matters creates an environment of uncertainty, leading to confusion and insecurity about IP rights.


Venezuela’s legislative body has announced that it is creating a new Intellectual Property Law. Tis will lead to erasing the current uncertainty. Te new law will be in accordance with international treaty principles.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180