GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACADEMY (GIPA),

UNCLAS SOFIA 001566 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR AORC BU SUBJECT: GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACADEMY (GIPA), ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROGRAM REF: A) STATE 181879, B) MCCAFFREY-TONEV EMAIL EXCHANGE 11/07/06 ¶1. (U) Per reftel, we would like to nominate Mrs. Shtiriana Valchanova-Krasteva and Ms Vanya Vassileva, of the Bulgarian Patent Office, for USPTO IPR training scheduled for January 08-12, 2007. Valchanova-Krasteva has been with the Patent Office since 1981. In her capacity as Head of the Legal Activity Department, Valchanova-Krasteva is responsible for enforcing patent legislation in Bulgaria. Her department considers appeals against implementation of department decisions and requests for invalidation of patents, trademarks and industrial design registrations. From 1994- 2006 she served as a state examiner on the Board of Appeals at the Bulgarian Patent Office. Valchanova-Krasteva worked on the draft Law on Marks and Geographical Indications in 1998/1999 and the Law on the Amendment of the Law on Marks and Geographical Indications in 2004/2005. She is a member of the Court of Arbitration at the Bulgarian Industrial Association. ¶2. (U) Vanya Vassileva is a legal advisor in the Legal Activity Department, Bulgarian Patent Office. Vassileva examines and grants legal protection for industrial property rights. She is also involved in the preparation of industrial property legislation, regulations and instructions. Vassileva represents Bulgaria in international industrial property organizations. ¶3. (U) The Bulgarian government has recently shown signs that it is taking seriously the need to address IPR issues. Post believes that this training is a key part in maintaining the current momentum in reforming Bulgaria's IPR regime. The Bulgarian candidate(s),however, are unlikely to travel without funding assistance. Post respectfully requests USPTO funding for travel costs and lodging (Ref B). We greatly appreciate USPTO's efforts with this program. ¶3. (U) Nominees' contact information: --Mrs. Shtiriana Valchanova-Krasteva Legal Activity Department, Head Patent Office 52B G.M. Dimitrov Blvd Tel. (359-2) 9701-306 Fax. (359-2) 870-8325 E-mail: cvaltchanova@bpo.bg Work Experience: April 2006 - present, Legal Activity Department, the Bulgarian Patent Office; 1994 - 2006, Board of Appeals at the Bulgarian Patent Office; 1984, Passed an examination to become state examiner; 1981 - 1994, Trademarks and Industrial Designs Examination Department at the Bulgarian Patent Office. Education: 1974 - 1979, "St. Kliment Ohridski" Sofia University, Master's in Law; 1981 - 1983, Postgraduate study in Industrial Property Protection, High Patent School at Technical University of Sofia. Seminars and Workshops: 1992, "Search and Substantive Examination, Improving qualification in trademarks examination practice", Benelux Trademarks Office; 1999, "Appeal Procedure, Improving qualification in patent disputes settlement", European Patent Office; 2001, Group Training Course in Examination Practice on trademarks - OHIM, Alicante, Spain. --Ms Vanya Vaskova Vassileva Legal Activity Department, Patent Office, Legal Advisor. 52B G.M. Dimitrov Blvd Tel. (359-2) 9701-420 Fax. (359-2) 870-8325 E-mail: vavasileva@bpo.bg Work Experience: February 2006 - present, Legal Activity Department, Bulgarian Patent Office; August 2003 - February 2006, Administrative Control, Regional development and State Property Department, Regional Administration Office, Sofia. Education: 2003, Passed BAR exam; 1997 - 2002, "St. Kliment Ohridski" Sofia University, Masters in Law, specialization in jurisdiction; --Embassy Sofia Point of Contact (POC) will be Economic Specialist Danko Tonev. Contact information for Mr. Tonev follows: (Office) 359-2-937-5212, (Fax) 359-2-937-5320, and (E-mail) tonevdt@state.gov. BEYRLE