Intellectual property in Belarus

Intellectual Property

National Organisations

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus accepted to become a member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). Belarus is also a member of the Paris Convention, Madrid Arrangement, and also PCT (Patent Co-operation treaty). But there are still forgeries and piracy, and copies of CDs and videotapes are found in the country in spite of the existence of laws. The US-Belarusian agreement contains a certain clause pertaining to the protection of intellectual property.
At the beginning of the year 1996, the Eurasian Patent Convention came into force. The members of this convention dealing with patents are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldavia, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This convention covers inventions and industrial drawings and designs. Inventions are covered for a period of 20 years after registration and industrial drawings and designs for a period of 10 years.

Regional Organisations

Eurasian Patent Convention

International Membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention For the Protection of Intellectual Property
Membership to the TRIPS agreement - Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)