Today's the day

Today's the day we begin to put the world right, it seems. The IPKat is delighted to learn that João Tiago Silveira (right), the Portuguese Secretary of State for Justice, will be in Brussels today to participate in the Competitiveness Council. João is going to take the opportunity to request, under "Any Other Business" in the Competitiveness Council agenda, that the Commission comply with the Council Conclusions of May 2007: immediately to propose a reduction of the fees related to the application, registration and renewal of Community trade marks.

CTM fees have become an increasingly important matter for Portuguese as well as European SMEs, since all will benefit considerably from the proposed reduction of fees. Applications for registration of Community trade marks made by Portuguese nationals rose a remarkable 21.2% from 2006 to 2007. The present unjustifiable high fees have given OHIM an unwanted surplus of more than 300 million euros, a pile of money that is growing at the rate of one million euros per week. OHIM has itself called for fees for Community trade marks to be reduced for the benefit of traders and ordinary consumers in the Community.

How to pronounce João (for English-speakers) here, here and here
How to rob Community trade mark applicants here