'Export to Japan' webinar series 30: Registration process and procedures: IPR (trademark & others)

30-minute online training on what you should know about processes and procedures relating to EU exports to Japan. It covers trade and administrative rules and regulations relevant to EU businesses which are new to exporting as well as those which carry out regular, on-going businesses with Japan.

Focus is given to small and medium sized EU enterprises (SMEs) and to those sectors which offer growing opportunities to EU exports to Japan, i.e., food and health sectors.

How is your intellectual property (IP) protected under the EU-Japan EPA?

Intellectual property (IP) infringement such as counterfeiting and piracy is of great concerns to EU exporters. Exporters normally do not have effective means to protect exclusive business identities overseas, other than making a national IP registration of trademark, patent, industrial design, copyright, or trade secret. Cross-border IP protection is, therefore, essential for IP owners to gain a competitive edge and secure fair competition on cross-border trade. Particularly, IP protection is indispensable for small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) who focus on returns on investment and survival in global competition and cannot afford a complicated, legal case overseas.

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) protects European IPs and provides enforcement measures against IP infringement in Japan in two occasions: Japan Customs enforce against infringement for European IPs on import, and Japan Patent Office enforces it on sales. The Agreement also protects European IP owners in agriculture and food sectors who registered under the EU Geographical Indications (GIs) system against any infringement in Japan. The Agreement equally protects all IP owners so that EU exporters should be also aware that improper use of protected content can cost financially and operationally high.

The webinar targets EU small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

In 30 minutes from your desk, discover:

• Intellectual Property (IP) Protection under the EU-Japan EPA – Patent Extension, Data Protection, Protection of Industrial Design and Product Appearance
• Steps to Avoid Infringement
• Agriculture as ‘Intellectual Property’
• Trademark Protection in Agriculture and Food Sector – Cases for GI Recognition
• Additional IP Protection for Agriculture and Food Sector

Programme:

• Introduction
• Expert’s presentation
• Q&A Session

Registration deadline: 11 January 2022

Speaker: Chieko Nakabayashi worked at the United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO) in Vienna, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, and Japanese bilateral ODA agencies. She is currently a professor and a consultant, specialized in cross-border business development in industrial and agricultural sectors and cross-cultural business communications. 
Moderator: Pauline Laloux, Business Support Coordinator, EU-Japan Centre
Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation - Brussels Office

Deliverables