Friday 22 November 2013

Rouse to cut ribbon at Myanmar office

IP law firm Rouse will open a new office in Myanmar (Burma) on November 22, WIPR can reveal.

The office, based in Yangon (also known as Rangoon), will offer filing and prosecution services for trademarks, patents, designs and geographical indications. IP commercialisation and technology transfer services will also be available.

Rouse partner Fabrice Mattei and Moe Mynn Thu, a qualified attorney from Myanmar who joins from beer maker Myanmar Brewery, are in charge of the office.

The firm says that the office – Rouse’s 16th – is the first to be opened in Myanmar by an international IP law firm.

Rouse has worked “actively” in the country’s market for several years and believes “the time is now right” to establish a base in the country, said chief executive Luke Minford.

“We already manage the IP of over 50 clients in Myanmar, and this step will ensure we can continue to deliver the level of service we pride ourselves on at Rouse.

“Rouse is uniquely positioned to operate in Myanmar, as Fabrice Mattei and Moe Mynn Thu have been instrumental in working with the government to develop the trademark law currently before parliament,” he said.

Myanmar has no specific IP legislation, but is drafting separate laws for patents, trademarks, designs and copyright. The country’s trademark law is expected to be the first of the IP legislation to be ready, probably by the end of this year. An IP office will also be set up.

Mattei, who is also head of patents at Rouse, said the firm will have a bright future in Myanmar.

“Myanmar is a thriving, nascent economy, with a strategic position between India, China and Thailand. Working in the country brings many opportunities, as well as challenges, to IP owners.

“The country’s IP regime is currently undergoing huge, and positive change – now is the right time for companies to begin to understand and protect their IP in Myanmar. I am looking forward to working with the rest of Rouse’s global network at this incredibly exciting time.”

Myanmar joined the World Trade Organization in 1994 and must be fully TRIPs compliant by 2021.

rouse, myanmar, Fabrice Mattei, Moe Mynn Thu, luke minford

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