§ Mr. CryerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the time scale envisaged for the implementation by Korea of legislation to outlaw pirating of trade marks by the Korean Government under the general agreement on tariffs and trade; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 17 February 1994]: Trade marks are protectable by registration in Korea, as in other countries. Registration gives the right to take action against pirate marks. In addition, Korea plans to strengthen the powers of the customs authorities to impound imports or exports of goods which infringe trade mark rights.
As a developing country, Korea will have five years from entry into force of the agreement establishing the world trade organisation, which will replace the general agreement on tariffs and trade, to make such changes as might be necessary in its trade mark and other intellectual property laws and procedures to comply with the agreement. The WTO agreement is expected to enter into force at the earliest at the beginning of 1995.