http://register.consilium.eu.int/pdf/en/04/st16/st16162.en04.pdf European Commission
dated: 15 December 2004
Subject: Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be adopted by the European Community and its Member States within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU/Morocco Action Plan
Intellectual and industrial property rights (36) Ensure a level of protection similar to that of the EU and strengthen the effective application of these provisions in accordance with Article 39 of the Association Agreement.
Short term
Reinforce administrative cooperation between relevant Moroccan and third country authorities;
Improve monitoring (administrative and judicial) structures for registration and granting of rights as well as rights management, including an opposition system for trademarks and preliminary examination for patents; EN 24 EN explore enhanced links with the European Patent Office;
increase resources dedicated to enforcement, in particular for the customs authorities and the judicial system. Accede to the main international agreements - including the conventions specified in Article 39 of the Association Agreement - and apply the highest international standards (Article 39).
Medium term
Build the capacity of the relevant bodies, e.g. the Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office and the Moroccan Copyright Bureau;
Explore enhanced interaction with other Euromed partners.
gradually strengthen the level of protection in order to reach a level comparable with the EU's.
