The United States Office of Trade Representative had raised a number of questions on the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Bill.
In their submission to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, the agency encouraged Fiji to accede to international intellectual property treaties, like the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks and the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.
“The United States stands ready to provide additional information and training on these treaties.”
On the Trademarks Bill 2020, the US Office of Trade Representative said “it appears that Fiji protects geographical indications through its trademark system. Can Fiji please confirm this?”
“The United States encourages Fiji to provide public access to trademark registries online and the ability to search the registry electronically. Does Fiji currently have plans to host its registry on a public, searchable, electronic database?”
The US Office of Trade Representative also wanted clarification circumstances under which registration of a flag would be permitted.
It said it noted the Design Bill 2020 “generally lacks enforcement provisions”.
“The United States recommends adopting some of the enforcement provisions delineated in the Trademarks Bill 2020 into the Designs Bill, including those provisions concerning civil infringement proceedings and border enforcement.”
Parliament passed the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Bill on Thursday.
