On May 11, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" will protect its brand through the courts, stated Rodion Bass, General Director of the Vitebsk Culture Centre and Director of the Festival Directorate, to journalists today, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. The use of the festival's symbolism is regulated by copyright law. Despite the fact that the International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" has provided manufacturers of goods and services with the opportunity to enter into agreements for the right to use its trademark, only 10 manufacturers from the Vitebsk region have concluded such agreements. The total value of these contracts is estimated at Br17 million. However, during the festival, a significant amount of products featuring the cornflower, familiar to millions, can be seen on display at the festival's stands. During the current festival, the festival directorate intends to monitor products with the festival's logo appearing in retail outlets and forward this information to the competent authorities. The festival's corporate logo is registered as a trademark in the State Register of Trademarks and Service Marks under number 19022 and is protected by the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus. In accordance with the Civil Code of the Republic of Belarus, the owner of a trademark has the exclusive right to use and dispose of it, as well as the right to prohibit its use by others. No one may use a trademark registered in Belarus, for which a certificate has been issued, without the permission of its owner. Unauthorized manufacturing, use, import, offering for sale, or sale of a trademark or goods marked with this sign, or a designation confusingly similar to it, shall be considered a violation of the trademark owner's rights. -0-

BELTA