CYPRUS 2006 SPECIAL 301 NOTIFICATION (INTELLECTUAL

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000755

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EB/IPE (CLACROSSE) AND EUR/SE
DEPT PASS USTR (JCHOE-GROVES)
DOC FOR JBOGER
DOC PASS USPTO (JURBAN),AND LOC (STEPP)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS 2006 SPECIAL 301 NOTIFICATION (INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY)

REF: A) STATE 66940 (not al) B) NICOSIA 245 C) 05 NICOSIA

1842

(U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please
protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) We delivered reftel points to Commerce Ministry
Permanent Secretary Andreas Petrondas on April 28.
Ambassador Schlicher followed up with Minister of Commerce
Yiorgos Lillikas on May 11. Both Petrondas and Lillikas
stressed the importance the GoC places on this issue and
noted their commitment to work with the Embassy to further
improve IPR enforcement. Both, however, were non-committal
about directing the Ministry's Consumer Protection Unit,
which is undermanned and has many other responsibilities,
to make IPR more of a priority.


2. (SBU) Nevertheless, the GoC continues to take steps to
improve IPR enforcement. Contacts at the Attorney General
Office have confirmed that as part of the process of
amending current IPR-related legislation to bring it into
compliance with the EU Copyright Directive (EU Directive
2001/84),they are preparing additional amendments designed
to reverse the burden of proof in all IPR cases. A key
recommendation of the Embassy-sponsored IPR workshop in
November (ref c),this would greatly enhance the Police and
Customs' ability to confiscate pirated goods and
successfully prosecute cases. The amendments would in
effect make vendors responsible for proving that their
products are legitimate rather than the GoC having to prove
that every track of every CD or DVD is pirated. The GoC
has already missed the deadline for implementation of the
Copyright Directive (April 29, 2006),but plans to submit
the amendments to parliament for immediate action when the
parliament reconvenes this fall.


3. (U) Cyprus has welcomed the creation of two new NGOs
concerned with IPR issues so far this year. On May 12, the
local representatives of the leading international
pharmaceutical research companies establish the
"Pharmaceutical Association of Research and Development
Companies of Cyprus" or KEFEA (from its Greek acronym).
Members include U.S. giants Merck, Sharp, and Dohme (MSD),
Wyeth, and Eli Lilly. Other members include
GlaxoSmithKline (UK),Novartis (Swiss),Boehringer
Ingelheim (German),Bayer (German),and Sanofi Aventis
(French). In January five leading Cypriot professionals
formed the Initiative for the Promotion of Research and
Competitiveness in Cyprus (IPRCC) dedicated among other
things to improve the competitiveness of the Cypriot
economy by lobbying the government to ensure strong IPR
enforcement.

SCHLICHER