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Mostrando postagens com marcador registration. Mostrar todas as postagens

terça-feira, 28 de maio de 2013

Intellectual property and 'fair use' under Brazilian Law


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Frequently I am asked by my clients on matters related to the protection of trademarks, brands, company names, software contracts and other issues of intellectual property in Brazil. Recently a client asked me about the so-called "fair use" in Brazil, and if he could make references to other brands in his product without permission of the owner.

Many of my clients are familiar with the concept of "fair use", but fact is that there is no express provision of this concept in the brazilian rules of intellectual property protection, although some laws that make indirect references to this concept.


For example, Brazil is a member of the TRIPS Agreement (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), which provides that:

Article 17
Members may provide limited exceptions to the rights conferred by a trademark, such as fair use of descriptive terms, provided that such exceptions take account of the legitimate interests of the owner of the trademark and of third parties.

The protection of brands in Brazil is also regulated by National Act No. 9.279 of 1996, which says:

Article 132. The trademark holder may not:
IV - prevent the mention of the brand in speeches, scientific or literary or any other publication, as long as there are no commercial connotation and no damage to the brand's distinctive character.

The Brazilian copyright law (National Act No. 9.610 of 1998, article 46) and the Brazilian software law (National Act No. 9.609 of 1998, article 6) also have some rules that resemble the American concept of fair use, most of them related to the non-commercial, artistic or cultural use.

Thus, one can notice that, although that Brazilian law does not expressly stipulate the concept of "fair use", there are in Brazil a number of possibilities of use of trademarks or brand names without violation of intellectual property rights.

Is there any reader who works with IP and would like to contribute to the discussion?


See also:



sexta-feira, 12 de abril de 2013

Brazil closer to international registration of Marks



Brazil has taken the very first steps towards entering to the 

Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks


This will avoid accidents such as the recent scandal of iphone brand "stolen" by a Brazilian company.

The procedure for approval has just started, and may take many years to be completed. It is a legal update most needed for Brazil, which is already to enter the information age, at least under a legal perspective. 

CISG is closer to entering into force too. 2013 is being a good year. 


sexta-feira, 1 de fevereiro de 2013

How can a partner leave a company in Brazil - Como um sócio pode deixar uma empresa no Brasil


How can a partner leave a company in Brazil - Como um sócio pode deixar uma empresa no Brasil.

This was a question from client regarding corporation law, with bilingual answer.
Esta foi uma pergunta feita por um cliente sobre direito corporativo, com resposta bilingue.


Dear Tom and Jerry,

The legal procedure for a partner to leave the company is as it follows:
O procedimento legal para que um sócio deixe a sociedade é o seguinte:

1) The leaving partner must inform the other partner of his intent to leave the firm, at least 60 (sixty) days before the actual departure. The parties may agree, however, to accept the notice within a shorter time frame.
1) O sócio que se despede deve informar sua intenção ao outro com pelo menos 60 (sessenta) dias de antecedência.  As partes podem, contudo, acordar um prazo menor.

2) The leaving partner will be reimbursed according to its share in the company networth.
2) O sócio que se despede receberá o valor correspondente à sua cota de participação no valor da empresa

3) The final value of the company on the departure date shall be calculated according to a special financial Statement.
3) O valor da empresa na data de saída do sócio deve ser calculado em balanço especial.

4) The company administrator is, at first, entitled to hire the accountancy firm in charge of the final Financial Statement. But the leaving partner may also indicate an independent accountant, if he wishes to do so.
4) O administrador da empresa é, inicialmente, quem tem o direito de contratar o contador que fará o balanço patrimonial final. Mas o sócio que se despede pode indicar um auditor independente, caso desejar.

5) The final financial Statement shall be approved by the partners in a meeting specially called for this purpose.
5) O balanço final será aprovado pelos sócios numa reunião convocada especialmente para este propósito.

6) After that, the value due to the leaving partner shall be paid within 90 days. However, the parties may agree on a shorter or longer time frame.
6) Após a reunião, os valores devidos ao sócio que se despede deverão ser pagos em até 90 dias. Contudo, as partes podem acordar um prazo menor ou maior

OBS: Please be aware that, before the formal departure, the partner is not entitled to make business on his own, using the company premises, brand, name, etc.
OBS: É importante ressaltar que, antes da despedida formal, o sócio não pode fazer negócios independentemente da sociedade, utilizando os bens da sociedade, a marca, o nome, etc.

The Civil Code articles which are relevant have been reproduced below (in Portuguese).
Os artigos relevantes do Código Civil foram reproduzidos ao final.

Best Regards.

Atenciosamente,

Adler Martins





CÓDIGO CIVIL (EXCERTOS)

Da Sociedade Não Personificada

CAPÍTULO I
Da Sociedade em Comum


Art. 986. Enquanto não inscritos os atos constitutivos, reger-se-á a sociedade, exceto por ações em organização, pelo disposto neste Capítulo, observadas, subsidiariamente e no que com ele forem compatíveis, as normas da sociedade simples.

Art. 988. Os bens e dívidas sociais constituem patrimônio especial, do qual os sócios são titulares em comum.

CAPÍTULO II 
Da Sociedade em Conta de Participação


Art. 994. A contribuição do sócio participante constitui, com a do sócio ostensivo, patrimônio especial, objeto da conta de participação relativa aos negócios sociais.

Art. 996. Aplica-se à sociedade em conta de participação, subsidiariamente e no que com ela for compatível, o disposto para a sociedade simples, e a sua liquidação rege-se pelas normas relativas à prestação de contas, na forma da lei processual.
Parágrafo único. Havendo mais de um sócio ostensivo, as respectivas contas serão prestadas e julgadas no mesmo processo.


SUBTÍTULO II
Da Sociedade Personificada

CAPÍTULO I
Da Sociedade Simples


Art. 1.007. Salvo estipulação em contrário, o sócio participa dos lucros e das perdas, na proporção das respectivas quotas, mas aquele, cuja contribuição consiste em serviços, somente participa dos lucros na proporção da média do valor das quotas.

Seção V
Da Resolução da Sociedade em Relação a um Sócio

Art. 1.028. No caso de morte de sócio, liquidar-se-á sua quota, salvo:
I - se o contrato dispuser diferentemente;
II - se os sócios remanescentes optarem pela dissolução da sociedade;
III - se, por acordo com os herdeiros, regular-se a substituição do sócio falecido.

Art. 1.029. Além dos casos previstos na lei ou no contrato, qualquer sócio pode retirar-se da sociedade; se de prazo indeterminado, mediante notificação aos demais sócios, com antecedência mínima de sessenta dias; se de prazo determinado, provando judicialmente justa causa.
Parágrafo único. Nos trinta dias subseqüentes à notificação, podem os demais sócios optar pela dissolução da sociedade.

Art. 1.030. Ressalvado o disposto no art. 1.004 e seu parágrafo único, pode o sócio ser excluído judicialmente, mediante iniciativa da maioria dos demais sócios, por falta grave no cumprimento de suas obrigações, ou, ainda, por incapacidade superveniente.
Parágrafo único. Será de pleno direito excluído da sociedade o sócio declarado falido, ou aquele cuja quota tenha sido liquidada nos termos do parágrafo único do art. 1.026.

Art. 1.031. Nos casos em que a sociedade se resolver em relação a um sócio, o valor da sua quota, considerada pelo montante efetivamente realizado, liquidar-se-á, salvo disposição contratual em contrário, com base na situação patrimonial da sociedade, à data da resolução, verificada em balanço especialmente levantado.
§ 1o O capital social sofrerá a correspondente redução, salvo se os demais sócios suprirem o valor da quota.
§ 2o A quota liquidada será paga em dinheiro, no prazo de noventa dias, a partir da liquidação, salvo acordo, ou estipulação contratual em contrário.

Art. 1.032. A retirada, exclusão ou morte do sócio, não o exime, ou a seus herdeiros, da responsabilidade pelas obrigações sociais anteriores, até dois anos após averbada a resolução da sociedade; nem nos dois primeiros casos, pelas posteriores e em igual prazo, enquanto não se requerer a averbação.

terça-feira, 8 de janeiro de 2013

Xerox, Authenticated Copies, I need caipirinha, please.

Here is another guest post by Ms. Gringa da Silva.

It is funny, but also carries a lot of truth and street smart advice.

______________________________________________________


Hello my pretties,

How was your first week in Brazil? Did you miss me? Have you clogged a toilet yet? (You know, that little basket beside the toilet is not a hint, it is a strongly worded suggestion, sort of like those letters the UN writes to the naughty countries? So put your paper in the basket and live a happy and clog free life. Gringa has clogged toilets twice so far.. but who's counting?)

Getting over jet-lag and dealing with trying to cross the road in a major city in Brazil can be trying enough, but chances are that if you are here for business or some official reason, versus simply backpacking (we will get to teaching English as a scruffy, unwashed foreign student taking a gap-year later) you are going to have to start dealing with the various steps needed to do that official business stuff here.

All of the steps will include bureaucracy.

In Brazil, the Religion may be football, but The King is paperwork and absolutely all of it has to be done correctly, lest you are looking to hear: Falta! (we covered this word last week, my dears.. do try to keep up)

Enter, Authenticated Copies. (drum roll please)

This does not mean that you go to some random photo copier and sit on it and take that obligatory copy of your authentic and real-life derriere (your mother is so proud whenever you do that) this means that you need to find a Cartório, and deal with bored bureaucrats to whom you are not allowed to be rude. (Example of how to behave in a bureaucratic location in Brazil: http://youtu.be/2NKY_-u6AmA?t=58s)

I can hear you asking: But why would I be rude, I am a polite person! My mother taught me not to burp in public and to wash behind my ears!

Just you wait, my pretty. We are still very low on the caipirinha scale...

An Authenticated Copy, means that you will get a copy of whatever document you need copied certified as an Authentic Copy. Clear as mud, yes? Bring cash, your patience and be prepared to be annoyed and confused.

You will enter the Cartório, need to find the correct Senha from the relevant machine or person (a number that will allocate your position in the line - remembering of course that no one who works in these locations speaks English) and have to sit on 'comfy chairs' (http://youtu.be/XnS49c9KZw8?t=1m26s) and have to pay attention while you wait for the word, Próximo (next) to be called out in a low voice, indistinctly over lots of background noise.

Alternately, it is possible that your specific number will be displayed along with a noise that is about as soothing as fingernails on a blackboard on some LED panel somewhere that will point you to a specific bureaucrat to go to.. assuming of course that the bureaucrats are numbered, biensûr.

No one will be clear about what you need to do next.

It is good to remember that using cell phones is not allowed in these locations and the bureaucrat won't speak to anyone on the phone anyway, so don't bother calling for help.

Basically, you need to hand over your document(s) and you will be handed a number, which will then be called out later after which you will pick up your documents, the Authenticated Copies and will be required to pay in cash for the service.

The copies can cost a fair deal of money, especially if you have many to do, but it will vary by location. Make sure you have enough small bills and large bills to pay the fees.

These places are not reliable enough to leave your documents at while you run to get cash and they will not return either the originals or the copies until you have paid.

Tips:

If you don't know what to ask for, have a Brazilian write it down.
Bring enough cash.
Expect large lines, inefficient and/ or confusing service and short and nasty opening hours and to have your time wasted.
Exactly no one cares who you are or what you want or if you are in a hurry; they only care that you do not inconvenience them and don't bother them.
Don't be rude. It is an offence punishable by arrest without bail.
Be pragmatic. There is no escaping this procedure if it is required. Brazilians live this stuff every day. You as a foreigner are just starting to put up with it. Deal with it.

Seriously...

On the caipirinha scale, this experience only rates a 1, my dears. Well, perhaps a 1.5 in which case you might as well upgrade to a full 2. With caipirinha, you always upgrade!

Until next week, yours in the spirit of cachaça,


Ms. Gringa da Silva

All rights reserved © 2012 by Ms. Gringa da Silva (http://msgringadasilva.orgfree.com/)

quarta-feira, 2 de janeiro de 2013

São Paulo Court allows purchase of rural land by foreigners


I'm adamant about the unconstitutionality of the restriction on the purchase of land by companies that are controlled by foreigners. 

Today, Valor Economico, a Brazilian newspaper, published an article stating that the São Paulo Court of Justice (similar to a State Court, or court of appeal) has ruled that a Brazilian company with a majority of its capital owned by foreigners can, indeed, purchase land. 

The company in question is a paper mill and, apparently, needed land to harvest trees. 

I congratulate Mr. Ricardo Quass Duarte, from  Trench, Rossi e Watanabe Law Firm, for this victory. 

Anyone needing more details about the case is welcome to contact me. 

A link to the original article follows below:


http://www.valor.com.br/brasil/2954596/tj-sp-autoriza-registro-de-terras-por-empresa-controlada-por-estrangeiro#ixzz2GqiUeZsS

TJ-SP autoriza registro de terras por empresa controlada por estrangeiro | Valor Econômico

sexta-feira, 29 de outubro de 2010

Simplified registration for Foreign Investment in the Brazilian stock market

Here is a piece of old news that is getting increasingly relevant, given the surge of investments in the Brazilian stock market:

The Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM, in Portuguese), through its Rule 419/2005, created the simplified registration of the non-resident investor in the Brazilian stock market.

Based on this Rule, the brokerage firms (and the custodians) may perform the simplified registration of its non-resident clients.

In practical terms, this rule simplified and sped up the access of non-resident investors to the Brazilian domestic capital market, since foreign investors may operate in the comfort of his home, through brokerage firms based on his own country.

To make use of this benefit, the following prerequisites shall be complied with:

• the non-resident investor must be a client of a foreign intermediary institution, duly registered under the applicable legislation of its country of origin;
• the referred intermediary institution should accept the obligation to present, whenever requested, all the information required by CVM, as well as other information required by Brazilian public agencies with inspection powers; and
• the government agency responsible for capital market regulation in the foreign country shall enter into a mutual cooperation agreement with CVM, regarding exchange of investors' financial information.

Furthermore, the country in which the foreign intermediary institution is located should not be considered of high risk in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing, and should not be classified as non-cooperative in relation to the fight against illicit actions of that nature.