Ukrainian media began advertising the recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada. One of the important points of the document is the protection of intellectual rights of manufacturers in the Canadian market, reports Ukrainian Business Resource.
At first glance, I remember the words of a famous song - “If you don’t have a house, Fires are not scary for him, And his wife won’t leave for someone else, If you don’t have a wife...”.
For example, what kind of protection might there be for the intellectual property rights of Ukrainian cinema and the impact of this protection on the promotion of Made in Ukraine films in Canada? It's hard to defend something that practically doesn't exist.
However, the casket simply opened.
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Ukrainian experts quoted by the publication clarify that one of the issues successfully resolved in the agreement is the protection of rights to geographical indications, from which alcohol producers will benefit.
In particular, the geographical designations of seven wine producers. For wines: “Tavria”, “Solnechnaya Dolina”, “New World”, “Meganom”, “Magarach”, “Zolotaya Balka”, “Balaklava”. For strong alcoholic drinks – “Tavria”. They will be “automatically protected” in Canada.
This means that no company will be able to register a trademark or produce products (if this company is not from Ukraine) with the listed names.
The fact that data on the export of products from these manufacturers will not be reflected in any way in the reports of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, and not a cent will go to the budget of Ukraine from their sales - no one in Kyiv cares.
Most of the brands mentioned are Crimean.
Thus, the main joy from the FTA between Ukraine and Canada, for Ukrainian experts, is not that the country will have additional foreign exchange earnings and new jobs will be created (they will not arrive, and will not be created), but that Ukraine has the opportunity create a problem for uncontrolled producers.
A dubious pleasure, but what a state, such are the joys. But this is also temporary - until Crimea is recognized by the international community, and this is a matter of the near future.