The LEGAL ACTS have entered into force as follows:

THE TRADE MARK LAW entered into force on 1 October 1992. Until 31 December 1993 also the trade marks of the former Soviet Union and the international trade marks of the Madrid Agreement (of 1891) valid in the former Soviet Union were re-registered in Estonia.

Up to the end of 1996 about 22 000 trademark applications were filed and about 15 000 trademark certificates were granted.

Estonia joined the NICE AGREEMENT (of 1957) on 27 May 1996.

The BUSINESS CODE, providing important provisions for trade names, was enacted on 1 September 1995.

THE COPYRIGHT LAW entered into force on 12 December 1992. Estonia joined the BERNE CONVENTION (of 1886) on 26 October 1994.

THE COMPETITION LAW entered into force on 1 January 1994. The new Competition Law is expected in 1997.

THE LAW OF PLANT VARIETIES PROTECTION entered into force on 31 March 1994.

Since 5 February 1994 the Republic of Estonia is a member state of WIPO (WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION). Since 24 August 1994 Estonia is again a member state of the PARIS CONVENTION (of 1883) and the PCT (PATENT COOPERATION TREATY).

THE UTILITY MODEL LAW AND THE PATENT LAW entered into force on 23 May 1994. More than 650 patent applications and 100 utility model applications have been filed so far.

Estonia joined the BUDAPEST TREATY (of 1977) on 14 September 1996. Estonia will become party to the STRASBOURG AGREEMENT on 27 February 1997.

There is still no DESIGN LAW. According to the present prognosis it will come into force in 1997. Estonia joined the LOCARNO AGREEMENT (of 1968) on 31 October 1996

In addition, the APPEAL BOARD for IP matters has come into operation. Both the PATENT OFFICE and the APPEAL BOARD are subordinated to the MINISTRY OF ECONOMICS. The court cases of the legal protection of industrial property will be heard in Tallinn, in the court of first instance.

There are 32 registered patent attorneys in Estonia. THE ESTONIAN ASSOCIATION OF PATENT ATTORNEYS has been established and it has 22 members. Most of the attorneys are working in patent agencies.

DEVELOPMENTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

According to information provided by Estonian state officials, Estonia will join the WTO in spring 1997.

An Association agreement between the European Communities and their member states and the Republic of Estonia (European Agreement) was concluded in 1995. According to this agreement, Estonia will join, before 31 December 1999, the ROME CONVENTION of 1961, MADRID PROTOCOL of 1989 and UPOV of 1991.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.