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JANE COLLINS. Context. World’s largest agrochemical company 3 rd largest in seeds 19,000 employees worldwide Sales in 120 countries. Our Challenges. 50/50 on/off patent Widely counterfeited/infringed Strictly regulated industry Very cost conscious. SYNGENT A “BIG BRANDS”. Sub-brands
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Context • World’s largest agrochemical company • 3rd largest in seeds • 19,000 employees worldwide • Sales in 120 countries
Our Challenges • 50/50 on/off patent • Widely counterfeited/infringed • Strictly regulated industry • Very cost conscious
SYNGENTA “BIG BRANDS” • Sub-brands • DEMAND } - Public Health • ICON / ICONET } - • KUNG FU - China • WARRIOR - US • HALLMARK - UK • LAMTHRIN - South America • CYHALON - Japan
SYNGENTA “BIG BRANDS” AMISTAR – AZ Sub-brands QUADRIS - Vines ORTIVA - Vegetables BANKIT - Bananas HERITAGE - Public Health / Turf PRIORI - South America
Filing Statistics • 32,500 marks in 140 countries • 430 CTM’s since 1 April 1996 • 830 International Registrations • Covering 2 – 59 countries • Oldest IR still used dates from 1940
Filing Strategy • Order of preference is CTM, Madrid, National • Will base on Switzerland or UK because of speed of registration • But CTM less strict on absolute grounds and do not require consents on relative grounds • Use Madrid for 2 or more countries
Costs • Easy to compute and budget • No translations or powers • Low assignment costs • Internal admin costs of paying bills hugely reduced • One currency gives stability of costs and eases administration
Administration • One form • Protocol countries had to speed up procedures – more business certainty • CTM countries had to harmonise – more business certainty • Renewals, assignments, changes of name etc much simpler – one process, no powers, no special formalities
TRADEMARK OWNERSHIP – U.K. ICI demerger Astra ICI Zeneca Limited merger Astra Zeneca (no trademarks) Astra Zeneca Avecia Specialty Chemicals demerger demerger Zeneca Limited Agrochemicals Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals (Name Change) Syngenta Limited
TRADEMARK OWNERSHIP – U.S. Stauffer Chemical Co. ICI America Inc. acquired acquired subsidiary Zeneca Inc. GB Biosciences Corpn. (complicated assignment) Zeneca Ag Products Inc. merger Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. subsidiary GB Biosciences Corpn.
Madrid orCTM? Community Trademark - Advantages • The most cost effective of all TM registration systems • Will be even better when searches abolished • Wider choice of languages e.g. German • Correspondence and forms seen as easier than WIPO • No need to appoint representatives if problems arise • Use requirements
Madrid or CTM? Community Trademark - Disadvantages • High number of oppositions • Increased risk of problems with enlargement. • Cost and difficulty of conversion
Conclusion • We welcome the CTM joining Madrid • Cost saving • Choice • Who joins the EU is a political matter • Who joins Madrid is also political but something we can and do lobby