New Trade Topics / Protection of Intellectual Property

The importance of protecting and enforcing Intellectual Property (IP) Rights in the development of free trade relations in the region is clearly emphasized in the Agreement.  In accordance with Articles 37 – 39, the parties are obliged to ensure an effective implementation of the obligations arising from IP related international conventions listed in Annex VII of the Agreement, as well as to accede to those conventions they are not yet members of by 1 May 2014.   Preliminary results of the OECD led review of IPR issues in the CEFTA Parties were discussed during CEFTA Week 2009 and a final report is due in early 2010.