Page:Special 301 Report 1996.pdf/23

  The UAE Cabinet approved adherence to the Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property on November 12.

St. Kitts and Nevis became a member of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.

The Republic of Moldova became a member of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. 

DECEMBER  The Panamanian legislature approved the Berne Convention on December 30, 1995.

Taiwan enacted the Trade Secret Law on December 22.

Azerbaijan became a member of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, and the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

<li>Liberia became a member of the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.</li> </ul>

1996

JANUARY

<ul style="list-style-type:circle;list-style-image:none;"> <li>The WTO TRIPS Agreement became fully effective for developed countries on January 1.</li>

<li>The Australian Trademarks Act, which the Parliament passed in 1995, entered into force on January 1. Under the Act, distinctive smells, shapes and sounds will be eligible for protection.</li>

<li>The European Community Office for the Harmonization of the Internal Market began accepting applications for the "Community Trademark" on January 1.</li>

<li>The Eurasian Patent Convention came into force. The following countries are members: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.</li> </ul>