This short self-learning Primer is designed to provide you with a

quick overview of intellectual property and the reasons why it is

considered an important economic and cultural asset in todays life
and economy

Module 1: INTRODUCTION

Contents

What is Intellectual Property?

What types of intellectual creations can be the subject matter of IP?

Introduction to the IP Primer (DL 001)

This short self-learning Primer is designed to provide you with a quick overview of intellectual
property and the reasons why it is considered an important economic and cultural asset in today's
life and economy.
DL-001 is also intended to introduce you to the Academy's curricular distance learning courses,
which range from a comprehensive General Course on Intellectual Property, to more
specialized courses for those who wish to learn more about specific IP subjects.
By presenting, in a succinct and easily accessible way, all fundamental aspects of intellectual
property, it is hoped that DL-001 will constitute an effective introduction to this subject matter,
and will stimulate your interest in pursuing further readings and studies in this field.
Reading the contents of DL-001 should take you around 2 hours to complete.

What is Intellectual Property?

The history of the human race is a history of the application of imagination, or innovation and
creativity, to an existing base of knowledge in order to solve problems or express thoughts. From
early writing in Mesopotamia, the Chinese abacus, the Syrian astrolabe, the ancient observatories
of India, the Gutenberg printing press, the internal combustion engine, penicillin, plant medicines
and cures in Southern Africa, the transistor, semiconductor nanotechnology, recombinant DNA

drugs, and countless other discoveries and innovations, it has been the imagination of the world's
creators that has enabled humanity to advance to today's levels of technological progress.
Protection of intellectual property is ensured not only at the national but also at the international
level. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) administers more than 20 treaties
about intellectual property.

You may find other references at:

http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/what_is_wipo.html

http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/

What types of intellectual creations can be the subject matter of

IP?
It is generally understood that IP includes rights relating to the following:
(a) Literary, artistic and scientific works (copyright)
(b) Performances of performing artists, phonograms, and broadcasts (related rights)
(c) Inventions in all fields of human endeavor (industrial property)
(d) Scientific discoveries (industrial property)
(e) Industrial designs (industrial property)
(f) Marks and commercial names and designations (industrial property)
(g) Protection against unfair competition (industrial property)
(h) All other rights resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary, and
artistic fields

Intellectual property is sometimes divided into branches. The areas mentioned under (a) belong
to the copyright branch and under (b) to the related rights branch of intellectual property.
The areas under (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) constitute the industrial property branch of IP.

MODULE 2: COPYRIGHT

Contents

What is copyright?

Do you need to accomplish any formalities in order to be protected?

What types of rights does copyright provide?

What are the economic rights covered by copyright?

What rights do moral rights cover?

How are economic rights exploited?

How long does copyright last?

To what extent can you use someone else\'s work without getting permission?

Why protect copyright?

What is copyright?

Copyright aims at providing protection to authors (writers, artists, music composers, etc.) on
their creations. Such creations are usually designated as works.
What is covered by copyright?
Works covered by copyright include, but are not limited to, literary works such as novels, poems
and plays; reference works such as encyclopedias and dictionaries; databases; newspaper
articles; films and TV programs; musical compositions; choreography; artistic works such as
paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures; architecture; and advertisements, maps and
technical drawings. Copyright also protects computer programs.
Copyright does not however extend to ideas, but only to the expression of thoughts. For example,
the idea of taking a picture of a sunset is not protected by copyright. Therefore, anyone may take
such a picture. But a particular picture of a sunset taken by a photographer may be protected by
copyright. In such a case, if someone else makes copies of the photograph, and starts selling
them without the consent of the photographer, that person would be violating the photographer's
rights.

Do you need to accomplish any formalities in order to be

protected?
Copyright protection is obtained automatically without any need for registration or other
formalities. A work enjoys protection by copyright as soon as it is created.

However, many countries provide for a national system of optional registration and deposit of
works. These systems facilitate, for example, questions involving disputes over ownership or
creation, financing transactions, sales, assignments and transfers of rights.

What types of rights does copyright provide?

There are two types of rights under copyright:
1. Economic rights, which allow the owner to derive financial reward from the use and
exploitation of the work; and
2.

Moral rights, which highlight the personal link existing between the author and the work.

What are the economic rights covered by copyright?

Under economic rights, the creators of a work can use their work as they see fit. They can also
authorize or prohibit the following acts- in relation to a work:

reproduction in various forms, for example in a printed publication or by recording the

work in cassettes, compact disks or videodiscs, or by storing it in computer memories;

distribution, for example through sale to the public of copies of the work;

public performance, for example by performing music during a concert, or a play on stage;

broadcasting and communication to the public, by radio or T.V, cable or satellite;

translation into other languages;

adaptation, for example by converting a novel or a play into a screenplay for a film;
Recent international developments also allow for works to be protected in the context of the
Internet. The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), concluded in 1996, addresses the challenges posed
by today's digital technology, thus ensuring that copyright owners will be adequately and
effectively protected when their works are disseminated through new technology and
communications systems such as the Internet.

What are the economic rights covered by copyright?

Under economic rights, the creators of a work can use their work as they see fit. They can also
authorize or prohibit the following acts- in relation to a work:

reproduction in various forms, for example in a printed publication or by recording the

work in cassettes, compact disks or videodiscs, or by storing it in computer memories;

distribution, for example through sale to the public of copies of the work;

public performance, for example by performing music during a concert, or a play on stage;

broadcasting and communication to the public, by radio or T.V, cable or satellite;

translation into other languages;

adaptation, for example by converting a novel or a play into a screenplay for a film;
Recent international developments also allow for works to be protected in the context of the
Internet. The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), concluded in 1996, addresses the challenges posed
by today's digital technology, thus ensuring that copyright owners will be adequately and
effectively protected when their works are disseminated through new technology and
communications systems such as the Internet.

What rights do moral rights cover?

Under moral rights, the author may claim:

the right to have authorship recognized on the work. That is basically the right of the
creator to have his or her name mentioned as the author, in particular when the work is
used.

the right to integrity of the work, that is the right to object to the work being modified, or
being used in contexts that may cause harm to the reputation or honor of the author.

How are economic rights exploited?

Many creative works protected by copyright require financial investment and professional skills
for their production and further dissemination and mass distribution. Activities such as book
publishing, sound recording or film producing are usually undertaken by specialized business
organizations or companies, and not directly by the authors. Usually, authors and creators
transfer their rights to these companies by way of contractual agreements, in return for
compensation. The compensation may take different forms, such as lump sum payments, or
royalties based on a percentage of revenues generated by the work.
Many authors do not have the ability or the means to manage their rights themselves. They often
resort to collective management organizations or societies which provide for their members, the
benefits of the organization's administrative and legal expertise and efficiency in collecting,
managing and disbursing royalties. These royalties are obtained from the national and
international use of a member's work on a large scale, by, for example, broadcasting
organizations, discotheques, restaurants, libraries, universities and schools.

How long does copyright last?

Copyright has a time limit: it usually lasts for the life of the author and 50 years after his death.
This rule, which is shared by the majority of countries, has been established by the Berne
Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. Once the term has expired, the
work is in the public domain. Thereafter, everybody will be free to use the work, without
obtaining a specific authorization from the copyright owner.
However, the Berne Convention allows to provide for a longer period. In order to know what
period of protection applies to a work in a particular country, it is advisable to read the national
copyright legislation of that country.

To what extent can you use someone else's work without getting
permission?
Copyright is subject to limitations and exceptions, which take into account social, educational
and other public policy considerations. International treaties, as well as national laws, allow to
freely use limited portions of a work for certain purposes, such as news reporting, or making
quotations in a way compatible with fair practices, or by way of illustration for teaching.
Such cases of free use may vary from country to country and it is advisable to revert to the
national law of that country, in order to verify whether advantage can be taken of such a
possibility.

Why protect copyright?

Copyright contributes to human creativity by giving creators incentives in the form of
recognition and fair economic rewards. Under this system of rights, creators are assured that their
works can be disseminated without fear of unauthorized copying or piracy. This in turn helps
increase access to the works and enhances the enjoyment of culture, knowledge, and
entertainment all over the world.

MODULE 3: RELATED RIGHTS

Contents

What are related rights?

Is there a distinction between related rights and copyright?

What are the rights granted to the beneficiaries of related rights?

Why protect related rights?

What are related rights?

Related rights provide protection to the following persons or organizations:

performers (actors, musicians, singers, dancers, or generally people who perform), in their
performances;

producers of sound recordings (for example, cassette recordings and compact discs) in their
recordings; and
broadcasting organizations, in their radio and television programs.

Sometimes, these rights are also referred to as neighboring rights.

Is there a distinction between related rights and copyright?

Copyright and related rights protect different people. Copyright protects authors of works. For
example, in the case of a song, copyright protects the composer of the music and the writer of the
words.

In the same example, related rights would apply to :

the musicians and the singer who performs the song,

the producer of the sound recording (called also phonogram) in which the song is included,
and
the organization that broadcasts a program containing the song.

What are the rights granted to the beneficiaries of related rights?

National laws differ as to the extent of rights which are provided to performers, producers of
sound recordings or broadcasting organizations.

Different international treaties address this issue, such as the Rome Convention, the TRIPS
Agreement, as well as the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).
Performers, in general, enjoy economic rights to prevent fixation, broadcasting and
communication to the public of their live performances. Some national laws as well as the WIPO
Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) grant them also rights of reproduction,
distribution and rental of their performances fixed in phonograms, as well as moral rights to
prevent unreasonable omission of their name, or to object to modifications to their performances
included in a sound recording, if such modifications are likely to harm their reputation.
Producers of sound recordings (also called phonograms) enjoy mainly the right to authorize or
prohibit the reproduction and distribution of their sound recordings by others.
Furthermore, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) ensures that producers of
phonograms, as well as performers of works contained therein, are adequately and effectively
protected when the sound recordings are disseminated through new technology and
communications systems, such as the Internet.
Broadcasting organizations are provided the rights to authorize or prohibit re-broadcasting,
fixation and reproduction of their broadcasts.

Related rights are subject to the same exceptions as for copyright, which would allow anyone to
make free use of the performances, sound recordings or broadcasts for certain specific purposes,
such as quotations, and news reporting.

Why protect related rights?

Performers are protected by reason of their creative contribution. Producers of sound recordings
deserve protection because of the creative input as well as technical and financial resources
needed to bring the recording to the public. Likewise broadcasting organizations have a justified
interest in protecting their technical and organizational skill in programs from acts of piracy.

MODULE 4: TRADEMARKS
Contents

What is a trademark?

What kind of signs can be used as trademarks?

What types of trademark exist?

What function does a trademark perform?

How is a trademark protected?

What kind of protection is provided by a trademark ?

How is a trademark registered?

How long is a registered trademark protected for ?

What are well-known marks and how are they protected?

What is a domain name and how does it relate to trademarks?

Why protect trademarks ?

What is a trademark?
A trademark is a sign that is used to identify certain goods and services as those produced or
provided by a specific person or enterprise. Hence, it helps to distinguish those goods and
services from similar ones provided by another.
For example, DELL is a trademark that identifies goods (computers and computer related
objects). CITY BANK is a trademark that relates to services (banking and financial services).

What kind of signs can be used as trademarks?

Trademarks may consist of a word (e.g Kodak) or a combination of words (Coca-Cola), letters
and abbreviations (e.g. EMI, MGM, AOL, BMW, IBM), numerals (e.g.7/11) and names (e.g.
Ford, or Dior) or abbreviations of names (e.g. YSL, for Yves St-Laurent). They may consist of
drawings (like the logo of the Shell oil company, or the Penguin drawing for Penguin books), or
three-dimensional signs such as the shape and packaging of goods (e.g. the shape of the CocaCola bottle or the packaging for the Toblerone chocolate). They may also consist of a
combination of colors or single colors (e.g. the orange color used for ORANGE telephone
company). Even non visible signs, such as music and fragrances, may constitute trademarks.

In all cases, the trademark must be distinctive: it must be capable of distinguishing the goods or
services with which it is used . A name which is purely descriptive of the nature of the goods and
services that are offered may not constitute a valid trademark. For example, Apple may serve as a
trademark for computers but not for actual apples. However, a given trademark may not be
distinctive from the outset, but may have acquired distinctive character or secondary meaning
through long and extensive use.

What types of trademark exist?

In addition to trademarks identifying the commercial source of goods or services, several other
categories of marks exist.
Collective marks are marks used to distinguish goods or services produced or provided by
members of an association. Collective marks are marks used to identify the services provided by
members of an organization (e.g. UAW for United Auto Workers).
Certification marks are marks used to distinguish goods or services that comply with a set of
standards and have been certified as such (e.g. The Woolmark symbol to show that products are
made from 100% wool and comply with performance specifications set down by the Woolmark
Company. It is registered in 140 countries and is licensed to manufacturers who are able to meet
these quality standards in 67 countries).

What function does a trademark perform?

Trademarks may perform different functions. In particular they :

help consumers identify and distinguish products or services;

enable companies to differentiate between their products;

are a marketing tool and the basis for building a brand image and reputation;

may be licensed and provide a direct source of revenue through royalties;

are a crucial component of business assets;

encourage companies to invest in maintaining or improving quality products; and

may be useful for obtaining finance.

How is a trademark protected?

The most common and efficient way of protecting a trademark is to have it registered.
Trademarks are territorial rights. This means that they must be registered separately in each

country in which protection is desired. Note that, unless a given trademark is protected in a
specific country, it can be freely used by third parties. Moreover, trademark protection is in
general always limited to specific goods and services (unless the trademark in question is a wellknown or famous trademark). This means that the same trademark can be used by different
companies as long as it is used for dissimilar goods or services. Almost all countries in the world
maintain a Register of Trademarks, at the appropriate trademark office.
Registration is not, however, the only way of protecting a trademark: unregistered trademarks are
also protected in some countries, but in a less reliable form.

What kind of protection is provided by a trademark ?

A trademark owner is given the exclusive rights:

to use the trademark to identify his goods or services;

to prevent others from using and marketing the same or a similar trademark for the same or
similar goods or services;

to authorize others to use the trademark, (e.g. by franchising or licensing agreements) and
in return for payment.

How is a trademark registered?

First, an application for registration of a trademark must be filed with the appropriate national or
regional trademark office. The application must contain a clear reproduction of the sign filed for
registration, including any colors, forms, or three-dimensional features. The application must
also contain a list of goods or services to which the sign would apply.
The sign must fulfill certain conditions in order to be protected as a trademark or another type of
mark :

it must be distinctive, so that consumers can distinguish it as identifying a particular

product, as well as from other trademarks identifying other products;

it must not be deceptive, that is, it should not be likely to mislead the consumers as to the
nature or quality of the product;

it should not be contrary to public order or morality;

it should not be identical or confusingly similar to an existing trademark. This may be

determined through search and examination by the national office, or by the opposition of third
parties who claim similar or identical rights.

How long is a registered trademark protected for ?

The period of protection varies (it is usually 10 years), but a trademark can be renewed
indefinitely on payment of the corresponding fees.
How extensive is trademark protection?
Almost all countries in the world register and protect trademarks. Each national or regional
office maintains a Register of Trademarks which contains full application information on all
registrations and renewals, thereby facilitating examination, search, and potential opposition by
third parties. The effects of such a registration are, however, limited to the country (or, in the
case of a regional registration, countries) concerned.
In order to avoid the need to register separately with each national or regional office, WIPO
administers a system of international registration of marks. This system is governed by two
treaties, the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, and the
Madrid Protocol. A person who has a link (through nationality, domicile, or establishment) with a
country party to one or both of these treaties may, on the basis of a registration or application
with the trademark office of that country, obtain an international registration having effect in
some, or all of the countries of the Madrid Union.

What are well-known marks and how are they protected?

Well- known marks are marks that are considered to be well-known by the relevant sector of the
public in the country in which protection is sought. Well-known marks benefit from stronger
protection than marks in general:

they may be protected even if they are not registered in a given territory, and
they may be protected against confusingly similar marks that are used on dissimilar goods
or services, whereas marks are generally protected against confusingly similar marks if used for
identical or similar products.

For example, let us consider a trademark such as Mercedes Benz. Normally the company that
owns the trademark would be protected against unauthorized use of the mark by third parties
with respect to the products for which the mark has been registered. To the extent that Mercedes
Benz is a well-known trademark, protection would also be available for unrelated goods. So that
if another company decides to use the trademark in relation to other goods such as, say, men's
underwear, it may be prevented from doing so.

What is a domain name and how does it relate to trademarks?

Domain names are Internet addresses, and are commonly used to find websites. For example, the
domain name wipo.int is used to locate the WIPO website at www.wipo.int. Domain names

may be made up, sometimes, of a trademark. In such case, it may happen that the person who has
registered the domain name has done it in bad faith, as he is not the owner of the trademark
under which the domain name has been registered. This activity is referred to as cybersquatting.
It is important to know that many national laws, or courts, treat as trademark infringement the
registration of the trademark of another company or person as a domain name. If this happens,
the person who has chosen the trademark of another as a domain name may not only have to
transfer or cancel the domain name, but may also have to pay damages or a heavy fine.
It may be interesting for you to know that if the trademark of your company is being used as a
domain name by another individual or company, you may take action to stop such misuse of the
rights of your company. In such a case, an option would be to use WIPO's online procedure for
domain name dispute resolution at: arbiter.wipo.int/domains. This WIPO website includes a
model complaint as well as legal index to the thousands of WIPO domain name cases that have
already been decided.

Why protect trademarks ?

The basic rationale for protecting trademarks, whether through registration or not, is twofold.
First, it provides business people with a remedy against unfair practices of competitors, which
aim at causing confusion in the consumers' minds by leading them to believe that they are
acquiring the goods or services of the legitimate owner of the trademark, whereas in fact they are
acquiring an imitated product, which furthermore may be of lesser quality. The legitimate owner
may hence suffer from loss of potential customers, as well as harm to his own reputation.

The second rationale flows from the first, namely to protect consumers from those unfair and
misleading business practices.
In addition to those two arguments, a further one is gaining more and more prominence. This is
that a trademark is often the only tangible asset that represents the investments made in the
building of a brand. Where, for example, a business is sold, or companies merge, the question of
brand evaluation becomes an important issue. The value of companies may depend to a large
extent on the value of their trademarks.

MODULE 5: GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

Content
o

What is a geographical indication?

What is the difference between a geographical indication and a trademark?

How is a geographical indication protected?

How are geographical indications protected at the international level?

Why protect geographical indications?

What is a geographical indication?

A geographical indication is a sign used on goods and stating that a given product originates in a
given geographical area and possesses qualities or reputation due to that place of origin.
Geographical indications may be used for a variety of products, such as agricultural products: for
example cheese (e.g. Roquefort produced in this region of France ), olive oil (e.g. Tuscany

for olive oil produced in a specific region in Italy), or tea (e.g. Darjeeling , which is grown in
India). They are very often associated with wines and spirits, such as Scotch Whisky which
originates in Scotland.
The use of geographical indications is not limited to agricultural products or alcoholic beverages.
They may also highlight specific qualities of a product which are due to human factors that can
be found in the place of origin of the products, such as specific manufacturing skills and
traditions. That place of origin may be a village or town, a region or a country. An example for
the latter is Switzerland or Swiss, which is perceived as a geographical indication in many
countries for products that are made in Switzerland and, in particular, for watches.

What is the difference between a geographical indication and a

trademark?
A trademark is a sign used by an enterprise to distinguish its goods and services from those of
other enterprises. It gives its owner the right to exclude others from using the trademark.
A geographical indication tells consumers that a product is produced in a certain place and has
certain characteristics that are due to that place of production. It may be used by all producers
who make their products in the place designated by a geographical indication and whose

products share typical qualities. For example, Switzerland can be used by all Swiss watch
makers which comply with the official production standards for Swiss watches, but ROLEX is
the exclusive right of the Rolex watch manufacturer.
How is a geographical indication protected?
A geographical indication is protected in accordance with national laws in various ways, such as:

laws against unfair competition;

consumer protection laws;

laws for the protection of certification marks or collective marks; or

special laws for the protection of geographical indications or appellations of origin.

In essence, unauthorized parties may not use geographical indications if such use is likely to
mislead the public as to the true origin of the product.
Applicable sanctions range from court orders preventing the unauthorized use, to the payment of
damages and fines or, in serious cases, imprisonment.

How are geographical indications protected at the international

level?
A number of treaties administered by WIPO provide for the protection of geographical
indications, most notably the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 1883
and the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and Their International
Registration of 1958.

Why protect geographical indications?

Geographical indications are understood by consumers to denote the origin and the quality of
products. Many of them have acquired valuable reputations which, if not adequately protected,
may be misrepresented by dishonest commercial operators. False use of geographical indications
by unauthorized parties, for example Darjeeling for tea that was not grown in the tea gardens
of Darjeeling, is detrimental to consumers and legitimate producers. Consumers are deceived
into believing that they are buying a genuine product with specific qualities and characteristics,
whereas they have actually got a worthless imitation. Producers suffer damage because valuable
business is taken away from them and the established reputation of their products is adversely
affected.

MODULE 6: INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS

Contents

What is an industrial design?

How can industrial designs be protected?

What kind of protection is provided by industrial designs?

Are there territorial restrictions to industrial design protection?

Why protect industrial designs?

What is an industrial design?

An industrial design is the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article. The design may consist of
three-dimensional features, such as the shape of an article, or two-dimensional features, such as
patterns, lines or color.
Industrial designs are applied to a wide variety of products of industry and handicrafts such as
technical and medical instruments, watches, jewelry, houseware, electrical appliances, vehicles,
architectural structures, textile designs, leisure goods and other luxury items.
To be protected under most national laws, an industrial design must appeal to the eye. This
means that an industrial design is primarily of an aesthetic nature, and does not protect any
technical features of the article to which it is applied.

How can industrial designs be protected?

1) In most countries, an industrial design must be registered in order to be protected under
industrial design law.
As a general rule, to be register able, the design must be new or original. Different countries
have varying definitions of such terms, as well as variations in the registration process itself.
Generally, new means that no identical or very similar design is known to have existed before.
Once a design is registered, a registration certificate is issued.
2) Depending on the particular national law and the kind of design, an industrial design may also
be protected as a work of art under copyright law. In which case registration is not required.
In some countries, industrial design and copyright protection can exist concurrently. In other
countries, they are mutually exclusive: once the owner chooses one kind of protection, he can no
longer invoke the other.

3) In certain countries, an industrial design may also be protected against imitation under unfair
competition law.

What kind of protection is provided by industrial designs?

The owner of a protected industrial design is granted the right to prevent unauthorized copying
or imitation of the design by others. This includes the right of making, offering, importing,
exporting or selling any product in which the design is incorporated or to which it is applied. He
may also license or authorize others to use the design on mutually agreed terms. The owner may
also sell the right to the industrial design to someone else.
How long does the protection last?
The term of protection under industrial design laws is generally five years, with the possibility of
further periods of renewal up to, in most cases, 15 years.

Are there territorial restrictions to industrial design protection?

Generally, industrial design protection is limited to the country in which protection is granted.
Under the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs, a
WIPO-administered treaty, a procedure for an international registration is offered. An applicant
can file a single international deposit with WIPO. The design will then be protected in as many
member countries of the treaty as the applicant wishes.

Why protect industrial designs?

Industrial designs make an article attractive and appealing, thereby adding to its commercial
value and increasing its marketability.
Protecting an industrial design:

helps to ensure a fair return on investment;

improves the competitiveness of a business against copying and imitating the design by
competitors;

helps to increase the commercial value of a company, as successful industrial designs

constitute business assets;

encourages creativity in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as in traditional

arts and crafts.

MODULE 7: PATENTS

Contents

What is a patent?

What kind of inventions are protected?

How to protect your inventions?

How is a patent granted?

What rights does a patent provide?

How extensive is patent protection?

Why protect inventions by patents?

What is a patent?
A patent is an exclusive right granted in respect of an invention, which may be a product or a
process, that provides a new and inventive way of doing something, or offers a new and
inventive technical solution to a problem. Examples of patents range from electric lighting
(patents held by Edison and Swan) and plastic (patents held by Baekeland), to ballpoint pens
(patents held by Biro), microprocessors (patents held by Intel, for example) , telephones (patents
held by Bell) and CDs (patents held by Russell).

What kind of inventions are protected?

An invention must, in general, fulfill the following conditions to be protected by a patent:

it must be new or novel, that is, it must show some new characteristic which is not known
in the body of existing knowledge (called prior art) in its technical field.

it must be non-obvious, or involve an inventive step, that is, it could not be deduced by a
person with average knowledge in the technical field.

it must be useful or capable of industrial application;

finally, the invention must be part of the so-called patentable subject matter under the
applicable law. In many countries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, plant or animal
varieties, discoveries of natural substances, commercial methods, or methods for medical
treatment (as opposed to medical products) are not considered to be patentable subject matter.

How to protect your inventions?

The most common and efficient way of protecting an invention is by obtaining a patent. A patent

is granted by the patent office of the country in which you wish to protect your invention. Patent
rights are granted in return for the inventor's full disclosure of the technology to the public in the
patent application.
Another way of obtaining protection is to keep the technology secret, and to rely on what is
referred to as trade secrets. Trade secrets protection allows the preservation of the confidential
nature of information from being unduly revealed and used by unauthorized people.

How is a patent granted?

The first step in securing a patent is the filing of a patent application. The patent application
generally contains the title of the invention and a brief statement of the technical field in which
the invention lies, as well as thebackground and a description of the invention in a manner
sufficiently clear for it to be evaluated and carried out by a person having ordinary skill in the
arts. Such descriptions are usually accompanied by visual materials such as drawings, plans, or
diagrams to better describe the invention. The application also contains various claims, that is,
information which determines the extent of protection granted by the patent.
The patent rights are usually enforced in a court, which, in most systems, holds the authority to
stop patent infringement. Conversely, a court can also declare a patent invalid upon a successful
challenge by a third party.

What rights does a patent provide?

The owner of a patent may, in principle, exclude others in the territory covered by the patent
from making, using, offering for sale, importing or selling the invention without his or her
consent.
Furthermore, the patent owner may give permission to, or license, other parties to use the
invention on mutually agreed terms. The owner may also sell the right to the invention to
someone else, who will then become the new owner of the patent.

How extensive is patent protection?

A patent is, in general, granted by a national patent office. The effects of such a grant are,
however, limited to the country concerned. Patents may also be granted by a regional office that
does the work for a number of countries, such as the European Patent Office (EPO) and the
African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO). Under such regional systems,
regional patent office accepts regional patent applications, or grants regional patents, which have
the same effect as applications filed, or patents granted, in the member states of that region. The
enforcement of such regional patents, however, lies within the jurisdiction of each member State.
The WIPO-administered Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an agreement for international
cooperation in the field of patents. It is largely a treaty for rationalization and cooperation with
regard to the filing, searching and examination of patent applications and the dissemination of
the technical information contained therein. The PCT does not provide for the grant of
international patents: The task and responsibility for granting patents remains exclusively in
the hands of the offices mentioned in the paragraph above.

Why protect inventions by patents?

Patents provide incentives to individuals by offering them recognition for their creativity and
material reward for their marketable inventions. These incentives encourage innovation, which
assures that the quality of human life is continuously enhanced.
Furthermore, patent owners are obliged, in return for patent protection, to publicly disclose
information on their invention. Such an ever-increasing body of public knowledge promotes
further creativity and innovation by future researchers and innovators.

MODULE 8: NEW PLANT VARIETIES

Contents

Why protect new varieties of plants?

How can new plants be protected?

When can plant varieties be protected?

What protection does the breeder get?

How does the system allow the breeder to recoup the investment?

To what extent can you use a protected plant variety without the need to ask
for authorization?
How long do the breeder\'s rights last?

Why protect new varieties of plants?

Providing an effective system of plant variety protection has the aim of encouraging the
development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society. The breeding of new varieties
of plants requires substantial amounts of investment (skill, labor, money, time, etc.). Providing
exclusive rights to breeders is an incentive to the development of new plant varieties for
agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

How can new plants be protected?

The International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV Convention)
provides for the protection of plant varieties by means of a Plant Breeder's Right, which is a
sui generis form of intellectual property rights, specifically tailored for that purpose.
Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are committed by the TRIPS Agreement to
provide protection to plant varieties either by patents or by an effective sui generis system
(special system for plant varieties) or by a combination of both (Article 27.3(b)).

When can plant varieties be protected?

Under the UPOV Convention, in order for the plant variety to be protected, it must be:
(a) New, meaning that it has not been commercially exploited during a certain period
before the application;

(b) Distinct, meaning that it is clearly distinguishable from any other variety whose existence is a
matter of common knowledge;

(c) Uniform, meaning that the plants of a variety should be uniform in the relevant
characteristics, subject to the variations that may be expected from the particular features of its
propagation;
(d) Stable, meaning that the variety should remain unchanged in its relevant characteristics over
a period of repeated propagation;
(e) Have a suitable denomination, meaning it must have a name by which it is designated.

What protection does the breeder get?

Under the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention, the following acts in respect to the propagating
material (the seed or plant or part of plant that is used for the reproduction or multiplication of
the variety) require prior authorization from the breeder:

production or reproduction;

conditioning for the purpose of propagation;

offering for sale;

selling or other marketing;

exporting;

importing;

stocking for any of the above purposes.

If a breeder does not have the chance to exercise his right on the propagating material, and the
variety is propagated without authorization, a breeder can exercise his right on the harvested
material.

How does the system allow the breeder to recoup the investment?
When giving the authorization for the above-mentioned acts to those who wish to exploit the
variety, the breeder may, as a condition, require the payment of a royalty. Thus, for farmers who
buy seed, this royalty would be included in the price of the seed.

To what extent can you use a protected plant variety without the
need to ask for authorization?

It is important to note that authorization from the breeder is NOT required for:

acts done for non-commercial purposes;

acts done for experimental purposes;

acts done for the purpose of breeding and exploiting other varieties.
Subject to reasonable limitations and to the safeguarding of the legitimate interest of the
breeders, the UPOV Convention allows UPOV members to provide for farmers to use the
product of their harvest for propagating purposes (e.g. to save part of the grain harvested by the
farmer to be used as seed for the following season on their own farm).

How long do the breeder's rights last?

The minimum duration described in the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention is:

25 years for trees and vines

20 years for other plants.

How extensive is plant variety protection?
Usually, the protection is granted on a national level, in each of the States where the breeder
seeks protection. However, the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of
Plants (UPOV) allows protection on a supranational basis, which can greatly reduce the cost and
effort needed to obtain protection in several countries. For example in the European Union, the
Community Plant Variety Office grants a plant breeder's right which is valid in the territory of all
its member States.

MODULE 9: UNFAIR COMPETITION

Contents

What is unfair competition?

What is unfair competition? (cont\'d)

o

What is the relationship between unfair competition and intellectual property

laws?

What is unfair competition?

Unfair competition is generally understood as any act of competition that is contrary to honest
practices in industrial or commercial matters.
A dishonest practice is not something that can be defined with precision. The standard of fairness
or honesty may change from country to country, as well as evolve with time. It is, therefore,
difficult to attempt to encompass all existing acts of unfair competition in one definition. On the
other hand, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property specifies that the
following acts and practices are incompatible with the notion of fairness in competition:

acts which may create confusion by any means with the establishment, the goods or the
industrial or commercial activities of a competitor (e.g. using a trademark identical or similar to
another with respect to goods of the same category);

acts that constitute false allegations of such nature as to discredit or disparage the
establishment, the goods, or the industrial or commercial activities, of a competitor (e.g. an

enterprise attacking a competitor through statements that are false and untrue with relation to the
latter's goods or services);

indications or allegations which may mislead the public as to the nature, the manufacturing
process, the characteristics, the suitability for their purpose, or the quantity of the goods ( e.g. a
company publishing false and untrue statements concerning the quality or safety of its own
products in connection with promotion or sales advertising);
Unfair competition cannot be confined only to the 3 categories described above. There is broad
agreement that this concept should also apply to the following:

acts consisting in the disclosure or use by others of secret or confidential information

without proper consent of the rightful holder of the information, in a manner contrary to honest
commercial practices (e.g. acts tending to appropriate another's secret information, such as a
method of manufacturing a product, through industrial or commercial espionage);

acts or practices that, in the course of industrial or commercial activities, damage the
goodwill or reputation of another's enterprise, regardless of the fact whether such acts cause
confusion or not (e.g. the fact of using a well-known trademark, say Cadillac, by someone other
than its owner, for entirely different products, such as watches. This may result in the dilution of
the well-known trademark, that is the lessening of its distinctive character or of its advertising
value. Furthermore, in this case, the user obtains an unfair advantage over his competitors, who
do not own the well-known trademark, which is likely to favor the sale of his own product.).

What is the relationship

intellectual property laws?

between

unfair

competition

and

In many countries, unfair competition laws supplement intellectual property laws. To illustrate
with an example, let us consider the situation where a trademark (A) has been used in association
with certain goods. If a third party uses the same trademark or another similar mark (B) with the
same category of goods, in a way that it is likely to cause confusion with (A), then the user of
trademark (A) would justifiably have reason to complain and a legal basis to sue in order to stop
the harmful activities. Two situations may then arise:

If the owner of trademark (A) has registered his trade mark beforehand, he or she will be
entitled to bring action before the courts on the basis of trademark violation or infringement;

If the owner of trademark (A) has not yet registered the trademark, he or she may bring
action on the basis of unfair competition.
However, the prerequisites to proceed with one or the other lawsuits are not identical. It may be
easier to succeed with an action based on infringement of an intellectual property law, than with
an action based on unfair competition. It is, therefore, advisable to register your rights (on
trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, etc.) whenever national laws or
international treaties allow for such a possibility, instead of relying solely on unfair competition,
as a means to put an end to a dishonest behavior of a competitor that may harm your business.

MODULE 1O: ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Contents

Infringement of intellectual property rights

Enforcement Measures

Infringement of intellectual property rights

A publisher may own copyright in a book, which has been reproduced and sold without his or her
consent, at a cut price.

A sound producer, who has invested large amounts of money, in terms of talent and technical
skill, in producing a record, sees that copies of it are sold on the market, at cheap prices, without
his authorization, hence jeopardising his investement.
Someone else's trade mark may have been used by a company on similar or identical goods of
lesser quality, harming thus the reputation of the legitimate owner, and inflicting on him or her
serious financial loss, let alone exposing customer's health to danger.
Somebody may be using the geographical denomination of Roquefort on cheese manufactured
elsewhere than in the region of Roquefort in France, thus deceiving the consumers as well as
taking away business from legitimate producers.
In all such cases intellectual property rights (i.e. copyright, related rights, trademarks,
geographical indications) have been infringed. It is important that in such cases enforcement
mechanisms be called into play to protect not only the legitimate interests of the rights of the
owners, but also of the public.

Enforcement Measures
Enforcement is an essential component of intellectual property laws. It may seem trite, but
nevertheless so true, to state that laws that are not enforced or implemented are like tigers
without teeth. This is why the TRIPS Agreement, as well as national laws, provide for a variety
of methods designed to ensure that rights are enforced in an efficient manner. These methods
include:

Provisional measures, such as search of premises and seizure of suspected infringing goods
as well as equipment used to manufacture them;

Civil remedies, such as monetary compensation and destruction of infringing goods;

Court orders to stop the violation that has taken place or prevent it from happening;

Criminal sanctions, such as imposition of fines and imprisonment; and

Border measures, designated to stop the release into circulation of suspected imported
infringing goods.

Should you suspect that your intellectual property rights have been violated, it would be
advisable to seek professional help form a lawyer or specialised institutions in your country.

MODULE 11: EMERGING ISSUES IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Contents
Introduction

o
o

BIOTECHNOLOGY

What Is Biotechnology?

Why protect biotechnological inventions

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Why has traditional knowledge been recently discussed in connection

with IP?
Why and how does the issue of genetic resources relate to IP?

Introduction
Intellectual property plays an important role in an increasingly broad range of areas, ranging
from the Internet to health care, to nearly all aspects of science and technology, literature and the
arts.
The following two topics, Biotechnology and Traditional Knowledge, are now being discussed at
length at the international arena. They are briefly described in the following paragraphs.

What Is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a field of technology of growing importance in which inventions may have a
significant effect on our future, particularly in medicine, food, agriculture, energy and protection
of the environment. The science of biotechnology concerns living organisms, such as plants,
animals, seeds and microorganisms, as well as biological material, such as, enzymes, proteins
and plasmids (which are used in genetic engineering).
In recent times, scientists have developed processes to modify the genetic composition of living
organisms (genetic engineering). For example, the modified microorganisms created by
Chakrabarty (an inventor in the United States of America) were able to break down components
of oil pollution in oceans and rivers. The patent on these microorganisms was the subject of a
landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court, in which modified microorganisms were
recognized as patentable subject matter. The Court noted that the laws of nature, physical

phenomena and abstract ideas were not patentable. The claimed invention, however, was not
directed to an existing natural phenomenon but to new bacteria with markedly different
characteristics from any found in nature. The invention therefore resulted from the inventor's
ingenuity and effort and could be the subject of a patent.
The list of industries using biotechnology has expanded to include health care, agriculture, food
processing, bioremediation, forestry, enzymes, chemicals, cosmetics, energy, paper making,
electronics, textiles and mining. This expansion of applications has resulted from innovations
that have led to significant economic activity and development.

Why protect biotechnological inventions

As in other fields of technology, there is a need for legal protection in respect of biotechnological
inventions. Such inventions are creations of the human mind just as much as other inventions,
and are generally the result of substantial research, inventive effort and investment in
sophisticated laboratories. Typically, enterprises engaged in research only make investments if
legal protection is available for the results of their research. As with other inventions and
industries, the need for investment in research and development efforts creates an obvious need
for the protection of biotechnological inventions. This need is not only in the interest of inventors
and their employers, but also in the public interest of promoting technological progress.
Modern, flexible intellectual property systems and policies have contributed to fostering
investment needed to establish biotechnology industries creating tangible products. Flexible
intellectual property policies can play a role in favoring stable legal environments conducive to
public/private partnerships, investment and other economic activity needed to spread
biotechnological innovations to more countries.
The patenting of biotechnology innovations has been accompanied by controversy as has the use
of some of these new innovations. Policy makers of all countries, however, have been careful to
avoid extending patent rights to things as they exist in nature or to natural phenomena. A new
plant species discovered in the wild, for instance, can not be patented and neither can laws of
nature. In each country, the laws on patentability of biotechnological inventions need to be

consulted to learn the availability of patent protection and its scope. When considering these
issues, one also needs to recognize that legal regimes other than patent systems are typically
relied upon to address other public interests, such as the environmental or medical safety of
products, efficacy of products, and unfair competition that may occur in the assertion of patent
rights. The confluence of this new technology with legal and regulatory systems makes
biotechnology an evolving and dynamic component of intellectual property law.

Why has traditional knowledge been recently discussed in

connection with IP?
Traditional knowledge used here broadly to refer to tradition-based innovations and creations
resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary or artistic fields had been
largely over-looked in the IP community until quite recently. It is now increasingly recognized
that the economic value of traditional knowledge assets could be further enhanced by the use of
IP. There are also concerns that the intellectual property system has not adequately recognized
the contribution of traditional knowledge systems in human development, and the interests of the
holders of traditional knowledge.
Holders of traditional knowledge are exploring ways of protecting their interests within the
intellectual property system, safeguarding against misappropriation of their knowledge, cultural
works and distinctive signs and symbols. Many also seek to build their traditional knowledge and
cultural expressions into sustainable economic and social development utilizing various
intellectual property approaches including patent, trademark, and copyright laws, and so called
sui generis ' or tailor made laws for protecting traditional knowledge, traditional cultural
expressions, or folklore, where these have been established. Often, the enhancement of an old
technology generates valuable new inventions, or the adaptation of an old artistic tradition results
in new creative works.
These questions are the subject of focused discussion in the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee
(IGC) on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore,
which is making substantial progress in addressing both policy and practical linkages between
the IP system and the concerns and needs of holders of traditional knowledge and custodians of
traditional cultures.

Why and how does the issue of genetic resources relate to IP?
Genetic resources (genetic material of actual or potential value including elements of biological
diversity in their natural setting, and modern or traditional cultivars and breeds used in
agriculture, and special genetic stocks) can provide an important input for research and the
development of new products, in an increasingly broad range of technological and industrial
sectors. The terms and conditions of access to genetic resources, the exercise of prior informed
consent by the providers of genetic resources, and the resulting arrangements made for the
sharing of benefits from their use and development, are critical issues.

Existing international law and a number of regional, national and sub-national laws and
regulations set the framework for exercising prior informed consent for access to genetic
resources, and determining the terms and conditions of access, in particular ensuring that this
material is used sustainably and the benefits of its use are shared equitably.
Key elements of international law include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) of the Food
and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Within access and benefit-sharing agreements and legal
regimes permitting access to genetic resources, the specific arrangements made for intellectual
property management can be crucial in ensuring that they operate to create benefits from access
to genetic resources, and in particular to ensure that those benefits are shared equitably and the
interests and concerns of the resource providers fully respected.

MODULE 12: SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS

Contents

Introduction

Self Assessment Question 1

Self Assessment Question 2

Self Assessment Question 3

Self Assessment Question 4

Self Assessment Question 5

Self Assessment Question 6

Self Assessment Question 7

Self Assessment Question 8

Conclusion

Introduction
Through your study of this IP Primer, you have been able to learn about the fundamental areas of
intellectual property, the types of rights granted by different categories of intellectual property,
and the commercial value of intellectual property assests. You have also had a chance to grasp
the role that intellectual property plays in increasingly broad areas, ranging from science and
technology to literature and the arts.
Now that you have completed your reading of the course, you are invited to test your
understanding of the subject matter. The following Section consists of a series of SelfAssessment-Questions (SAQ), on each of the areas covered in the Primer. In answering the
SAQs, you may wish to consult and revert to the course materials. It is advisable to answer the
questions in writing (instead of simply thinking up the answer), as this will enable you to fully
articulate your thoughts on the elements required. After providing your own answer, you will be
able to compare it with the standard answer provided by the course itself, and measure the
accuracy of your own reply.

Self Assessment Question 1

SAQ 1 : For each of the following examples state the area of IP law that would be most
appropriate for their protection:

1.

a company wishes to protect a product comprising a new chemical formula

(Tetrafluorethylene,) which when used on, or applied to kitchen utensils has the characteristics of
preventing food in general and eggs in particular from sticking to the pan. The company wants to
ensure that is has sole use of the formula ;

2.

the same company wishes to market the frying pans that are coated with Tetrafluorethylene
under a commercial name that may attract its potential customers (Tetrafluorethylene is not an
easy name to be remembered let alone pronounced by ordinary consumers). Tefal is the name
chosen and used to identify the frying pans manufactured with the magic formula. The company
wants to make sure that it has sole use of the name in relation to kitchen utensils and frying pans
coated with Thetrafluorethylene ;

3.

the same company wishes to enhance the sale of its frying pans not only by using the Tetra
formula but also by giving them a more appealing, aesthetic and new aerodynamic shape. It also
wants to make sure that is has sole use of the new appearance or look of its frying pans ;

4.

the same company wishes to aggressively advertise its unique and special frying pans
(coated with the magic formula, sold under the name of Tefal and appearing under nice
contours) both on T.V, by means of short film sketches of 20 seconds, and on radio, by means of
short songs. It wants to make sure that nobody will use the music or words of the song, nor the
short films made for TV;
SAQ 1 Model Answer

1.

Patent

2.

Trademark

3.

Industrial design

4.

Coypright

Self Assessment Question 2

SAQ 2 : A person has composed the music and lyrics of a song. In order for him to be protected
from acts of piracy, should he register his rights on the song?
SAQ 2 Model Answer
No Works in general, such as songs, are protected under copyright laws of most countries by the
mere fact of their creation. Protection does not depend on the fulfillment of formalities such as
registration.

Self Assessment Question 3

SAQ 3 : Which of the following categories of persons are protected by related rights?:
1.

music composers

2.

singers of songs

3.

producers of sound recordings

4.

authors of plays

5.

film producers

6.

actors ( of film and plays)

7.

broadcasting companies

8.

ballet dancers
SAQ 3 Model Answer
Related Rights would apply to:

Singers, actors, ballet dancers, as they are all performers

Sound recordings producers

Broadcasting companies.
However, music composers, authors of plays and film producers would be protected by copyright

Self Assessment Question 4

SAQ 4 : You are the owner of a company that produces and sells fruit juices in bottles and cans.
You intend to chose the designation Frutamine to identify your products
1.

Do you think this word could be used as a trademark?

2.

If yes, what should you do in order to protect it?

SAQ 4 Model Answer

1.

There is a good likelihood that Frutamine could be used as a trademark. It consists of a

combination of words that suggest that fruits are a source of vitamins. It is not clearly descriptive
of the product ( juice fruit), nor is it deceptive( juice fruit is, in fact, rich in vitamin)

2.

It is important to register the trade mark at your national trademark office, in order to
obtain protection in this country.
Furthermore, and if you intend to export your product and ensure that protection is granted
abroad, you should also register your trademark in each of the countries where the goods will be
distributed.
Remember however that under the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration
of Trademarks, you may obtain an international registration in a number of countries that are
members of such Treaty, provided the country of which you are a national , or in which you are
domiciled or have an establishment, is also a member of the Madrid Agreement.

Self Assessment Question 5

SAQ 5 : Please indicate, for each of the following designations, the suitable system of protection
available:
1.

DARJEELING (tea harvested in India)

2.

SONY

3.

CHAMPAGNE

4.

ROLEX

5.

IBM

6.

TEQUILA(alcoholic beverage produced in Mexico)

7.

SWISS AIRLINES

SAQ 5 Model Answer

Trademark Law would apply to the following designations: SONY, IBM, ROLEX, SWISS
AIRLINES.
Geographical Indications would cover: DARJEELING, CHAMPAGNE, TEQUILA. In these
examples, the name indicates that a given product - tea, alcoholic beverage - originates in a given
geographical area and possesses qualities or reputation due to that place of origin.
However, please be aware of the fact that in certain countries, the protection for geographical
indications may be available under either special laws to that effect (that is laws that protect
geographical indications as such), or other branches of law ( such as laws for the protection
against unfair competition , or even trademark law, as geographical indications may be protected
by a certifiation mark or a collective mark).

Self Assessment Question 6

SAQ 6 : A company is putting on the market telephones with post modern, revolutionary
designs. It hopes that in a highly competitive market, the ornamental features of its telephones,
different from all what has existed before, will help attract new customers and increase its
business.
Could such design be protected and how?
SAQ 6 Model Answer
The design, as described, appears to be new and original, and as such it should be protected.
Following the laws that exist in your country, such protection may differ.
This design could be registered under the law of Industrial Design.

It may also be that in your country, such design could be protected under Copyright law (which
does not require any registration as a condition for protection) , or under both Industrial Design
and Copyright laws.
Should you contemplate selling the telephones in foreign countries, you may be able to obtain an
industrial design registration in a number of countries that are party to the Hague Agreement
related to the International Deposit of Industrial Designs, provided that you are a national of a
State, or that your company is established in a State that is party to the Hague Agreement.

Self Assessment Question 7

SAQ 7 : Could Einstein obtain a patent on his famous mathematical equation: E = mc2 ?
SAQ 7 Model Answer
No. Scientific theories or mathematical formulas could not constitute subject matter of patents.

Self Assessment Question 8

SAQ 8 : Company A has developed a new formula that enhances the taste of a beverage it sells to
the public. The composition of the mixture is kept secret . The beverage is a huge success . A
competitor (B) is interested in getting hold of the formula. In order to obtain it, B pays a hefty
amount of money to one of Company A's employees, who is well aware about the confidential
nature of the information that has been entrusted to him by the Company that employs him.
Company A discovers the fact. Can it successfully complain against B's behaviour and if yes on
what ground?
SAQ 8 Model Answer
The secret formula developed by A may be considered as a trade secret. In the circumstances B's
conduct may be described, under the terms of the Paris Convention for the Protection of
Industrial Property, as an act that is contrary to honest practices in industrial or commercial
matters , and hence an act of unfair competition.
It is generally recognised that acts tending to appropriate someone else's secret or confidential
information, (in this case the secret formula of the mixture developed by Company A), without
proper consent of the rightful holder of the information, are contrary to honest commercial
practices and should hence be considered as acts of unfair competition.

Conclusion
We hope that the course DL-001 and its exercises have been useful to you. Having become more
knowledgeable of the multiple aspects of intellectual property, you may now decide whether to
continue and further your education in this field. A series of curricular distance learning courses
provided by the WIPO Academy will allow you to do that.
In exploring the possibility to register for one of these courses, it will be important for you to
know the main pedagogical difference between this self-learning Primer and mainstream DL
courses. While here you have conducted your studies entirely on your own, by enrolling in the
regular DL courses you will enjoy the support of a tutor throughout the session for which you
have registered. Mainstream distance learning courses, in fact, bring teachers specializing in
intellectual property closer to students in all corners of the world, using the Academy's Distance
Learning platform, the Internet and email communication. The tutorial support provided will
greatly enrich your learning experience, while at the same time offering you the flexibility of
following DL courses at your own pace, in your own space.
Please note that by registering in the DL curricula courses, you commit to actively participating
in the prescribed activities under your tutor's guidance, and to taking the final exam.
For more information on the Academy's DL course selection, please visit http://lms.wipo.int