Dr. Suelen Carls

Edited Works

Indicações geográficas e produtos tradicionais. Anais do VIII workshop catarinense de indicação geográfica, Editora Univille, Joinville, SC 2019, 371 pp. (together with Miguel Luciano da Silva et al.).

Indicações geográficas e produtos tradicionais. Anais do VI workshop catarinense de indicação geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2017, 143 pp. (together with M.L. da Silva, P.R.L. Arruda).

IV workshop catarinese de indicação geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2016, 173 pp. (together with P.O. Areas, Gabriel Severo Venco Teixeira da Cunha).

• English translation of the title: "4th Santa Catarina state on geographical indication"
• https://www.redeindicacaogeografica.com/_files/ugd/cc0e91_3714e4fc326a4641add533de2be4b5c1.pdf
• Event: 4. Workshop on Geographical Indication, Santa Catarina, 2015-08-06

Indicações geográficas e produtos tradicionais. Anais do V Workshop Catarinense de Indicação Geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2016, 180 pp. (together with M.L. da Silva, Gabriel Severo Venco Teixeira da Cunha).

• https://www.redeindicacaogeografica.com/_files/ugd/cc0e91_a3d02b7b5411450083966e165848edee.pdf
• Event: 5. Workshop Catarinense de Indicação Geográfica, Santa Caterina, 2016-08-10

Anais do II Encontro Internacional Interdisciplinar em Patrimônio Cultural – ENIPAC e do III workshop catarinense de indicação geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2015, 275 pp. (together with P.O. Areas).

Contributions to Collected Editions, Commentaries, Handbooks and Encyclopaedias

Traditional Knowledge, Databases and Prior Art: Options for an Effective Defensive Use of TK against undue Patent Granting, in: Irini Stamatoudi (ed.), Research Handbook on Intellectual Property and Cultural Heritage, Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton, MA, USA; Cheltenham, UK 2022, 132 - 153 (together with Reto M. Hilty, Pedro Henrique D. Batista).

La Propiedad Intelectual en Latinoamérica y su Rol en el Desarrollo Económico y Social, in: Estudos de Propriedade Intelectual em Homenagem ao Prof. Dr. Denis Borges Barbosa, IODA - Instituto Observatório do Direito Autoral, Curitiba 2021, 25 - 64 (together with Reto M. Hilty et al.).

• O texto trata do estabelecimento e evolução dos direitos da propriedade in-telectual na América Latina. Perpassa os contextos nos quais esses direitos foram incorporados ao arcabouço legal doméstico. Ainda que as economias latino-americanas sejam mais ou menos frágeis do ponto de vista da pro-priedade intelectual, as conclusões apontam que há diversos desafios a se-rem enfrentados, mas que os países da região têm potencial para superá-los e avançar na proteção e na utilização dos seus ativos intelectuais.
• This article deals with the establishment and evolution of intellectual property rights in Latin America. It goes through the contexts in which these rights have been in-corporated into the domestic legal framework. Although Latin American economies are more or less fragile from the point of view of intellectual property, the conclusions indicate that there are several challenges to be faced, but that the countries of the region have the potential to overcome them and advance in the protection and use of their intellectual assets.
• https://codaip.gedai.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1_Estudos-de-Propriedade-Intelectual-em-homenagem-ao-Prof_Dr_Denis-Borges-Barbosa.pdf

Thinking outside the box: the legal and nonlegal objectives of geographical indications, in: WIPO Academy, WTO Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division (eds.), WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers - Research Papers from the 2017 WIPO-WTO Colloqium for Teachers of Intellectual Property Law, World Trade Organization 2019, 1 - 11.

• This paper discusses the legal and non-legal objectives of geographical indications (GIs) as an intellectual property right, and introduces the issue of GI management in Brazil
  in terms of laws and policies. The author presents some approaches adopted by Brazilian GI holders, and highlights their successes and failures. The author argues
  that GI holders must rethink their strategies to achieve success and further development. Finally, the author suggests specific policy changes focusing on the non-legal
  objectives of GIs, and the provision of access to a coordinated quality support and advice service.
• https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/wipo_wto_colloquium_2017-2_e.pdf

Região de Corupá. A indicação geográfica que floresceu a partir do associativismo, in: Suelen Carls, M.L. da Silva, P.R.L. Arruda (eds.), Indicações geográficas e produtos tradicionais. Anais do VI workshop catarinense de indicação geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2017, 9 - 12 (together with M.L. da Silva).

Regulamento de uso e estruturas de controle nas indicações geográficas brasileiras, in: Liliana Locatelli (ed.), Indicações geográficas. Desafios e perspectivas nos 20 anos da Lei de Propriedade Industrial, Lumen Juris, Rio de Janero 2016, 139 - 156.

• English translation of title: "The code of practice and the control structures of Brazilian geographical indications" In: "Geographical indications: challenges and prospects in the 20 years of the Brazilian industrial property law"

Indicação geográfica para o setor calçadista de São João Batista: perspectivas para a valorização do produto e do território, in: Suelen Carls, M.L. da Silva, P.R.L. Arruda (eds.), Indicações geográficas e produtos tradicionais. Anais do V Workshop Catarinense de Indicação Geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2016, 82 - 86 (together with M.L. da Silva).

A iniciativa catarinense em matéria de cooperação nas indicações geográficas, in: Suelen Carls, M.L. da Silva, P.R.L. Arruda (eds.), Indicações geográficas e produtos tradicionais. Anais do V Workshop Catarinense de Indicação Geográfica, Univille, Joinville 2016, 8 - 12 (together with M.L. da Silva).

Indicações geográficas. A faceta da organização produtiva coletiva e suas contribuições para o desenvolvimento, in: A.C.P. Vieira, K.L. Bruch (eds.), Indicação geográfica, signos coletivos e desenvolvimento, IBPI, Saõ Paulo 2015, 53 - 73.

• English translation of the title: "Geographical Indications. The facet of collective productive organisation and their contributions to the development" In: "Geographical indication, collective signs and development"

Novas mídias e tecnologias digitais na pesquisa em Direito, in: D.C. Meira, G.N. Bechara, L.R. Heinen (eds.), Conhecer Direito III. Anais do I Encontro Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Epistemologia Jurídica, Funjab, Florianópolis 2015, 564 - 582 (together with A.O. Leite).

Signos distintivos e potenciais benefícios ao desenvolvimento territorial, in: V.R. Dallabrida (ed.), Indicação geográfica e desenvolvimento territorial. Reflexões sobre o tema e potencialidade no Estado de Santa Catarina, LiberArs, São Paulo 2015, 117 - 134 (together with L. Locatelli, L.O. Pimentel).

• English translation of the title: "Distinctive signs and potential benefits to regional development" In: "Geographical indication and territorial development. Reflections on the theme and the potential in Santa Catarina state"

Geographical indications in the Brazilian intellectual property law, in: L.O. Pimentel, A.O. Leite, M.P. Ramaswamy (eds.), When East meets West. China-Brazil deliberations on contemporary legal issues, Prava Publications, Florianópolis 2015, 161 - 166.

Inovação aberta. Uma ponte entre universidades e empresas, in: J.M. de L. Assafim, S.O. Boff, L.O. Pimentel (eds.), Propriedade intelectual, transferência de tecnologia e inovação, FUNJAB, Florianópolis 2014, 235 - 252 (together with C. Fontanela).

• English translation of the title: "Open innovation. A bridge between universities and companies" In: "Intellectual property, technology transfer and innovation"

Indicações geográficas e sustentabilidade do patrimônio cultural imaterial: o caso da Cachaça de Paraty (RJ), in: C.A.H. Birnfeld, A.G. Antunes, L.E.B. de Araújo (eds.), Direito e sustentabilidade I, vol. 1, Florianópolis 2014, 484 - 505 (together with J.S. Albino).

• English translation of the title: "Geographical Indications and sustainability of intangible cultural heritage: the case of Cachaça Paraty (Rio de Janeiro state)" In: "Law and sustainability I"

Indicações geográficas como fator de desenvolvimento econômico. Um estudo do APL das tedes de Jaguaruana-CE, in: Mundo unifor (XIII encontro de pós-graduação e pesquisa), Fundação Edson Quieroz, Fortaleza 2013, 1 - 6 (together with G.S.V.T. da Cunha).

Indicações geográficas sob a perspectiva de preservação cultural. O caso dos cristais artesanais da região de Blumenau (SC), in: J.M. de L. Assafim, M.C.F. Moro (eds.), MUNDO UNIFOR (XIX Research Initiation Meeting / I Junior Scientific Initiation Meeting / XIII Postgraduate and Research Meeting / XIII Teaching Initiation Meeting / V Teaching Practices Meeting), Fundação Edson Quieroz, Fortaleza 2013 (together with Gabriel Severo Venco Teixeira da Cunha).

A regulamentação internacional da propriedade intelectual como produto da globalização. Indicações geográficas, regulamentação e efetividade, in: J.M. de L. Assafim, M.C.F. Moro (eds.), Propriedade intelectual, FUNJAB, Florianópolis 2013, 139 - 155.

• English translation of the title: "The regulation of international intellectual property as a product of globalization. Geographical indications, regulatory and effectiveness" In: "Intellectual property"

Uma perspectiva institucional das indicações geográficas como vetor para o desenvolvimento regional. O caso dos cristais artesanais da região de Blumenau (SC), in: F. de S. Del Omo, J.M. de L. Assafim, C. Reis (eds.), Propriedade intelectual, FUNJAB, Florianópolis 2013, 311 - 331.

• English translation of the title: "An institutional perspective of Geographical Indications as a vector for regional development: the case of handcrafted crystals in the region of Blumenau (Santa Catarina state)" In: "Intellectual property"

A propriedade intelectual como vetor para o desenvolvimento. O caso da indicação geográfica dos cristais artesanais da região de Blumenau, in: L.O. Pimentel, F.W. Zibetti (eds.), Eficiência energética, inovação e propriedade intelectual, FUNJAB, Florianópolis 2013, 309 - 323.

• English translation of the title: "Intellectual property as a vector for development. The case of geographical indication of handcrafted crystal in the region of Blumenau" In: "Energy efficiency, innovation and intellectual property"

A indicação geográfica como vetor de desenvolvimento regional e a possibilidade de sua aplicação no setor de cristais artesanais do Vale do Itajaí, in: 2 Conferência do Desenvolvimento CODE/IPEA, 2012, Brasília. Anais do I Circuito de Debates Acadêmicos IPEA e Associações de Pós-Graduação em Ciencias Humanas, Brasília 2012 (together with P.L. Kegel, M.A. Amal).

Reflexos da patenteabilidade das sequências de DNA humano. Uma avaliação multisetorial, in: II Encontro Acadêmico de Propriedade Intelectual, Inovação e Desenvolvimento, 2009, Rio de Janeiro 2009.

Journal Articles

The Criteria to Qualify a Geographical Term as Generic: Are We Moving from a European to a US Perspective?, IIC - International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law 2021, 16.03.2021 (together with Alberto Ribeiro de Almeida). DOI

• This article discusses the transformation of a distinctive trade sign into a generic term. Any distinctive trade sign carries this risk, primarily if it benefits from a high level of reputation or prestige, and the product identified is unique in the market. This is probably the most critical danger for such signs, especially if they are industrial property rights. Several criteria have been developed to determine if a sign has been transformed into a generic term. These criteria have economic and political relevance, as genericness is not a trivial issue. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has taken a position in this matter, as have the European Union Regulations on trademarks and geographical indications. However, the bilateral and multilateral agreements are the critical arena for conflicts concerning geographical terms’ qualification as common terms. The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have been in the spotlight for a long time, while China is also reaching a prominent place in this dispute. The most recent bilateral agreements have been twisting the criteria applied when assessing a geographical term’s genericness.

Brazil is One Step Closer to Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice 16, 1 (2021), 19 - 20. DOI

Brazilian GIs Landscape: From the TRIPS Commitments to the Real World, What Was Achieved, What Is Yet to be Faced?, GRUR Int 69, 9 (2020), 902 - 917. DOI

• After 25 years of the TRIPS Agreement, it is time to look at the Brazilian GI system and how it has developed since its establishment. GIs under TRIPS might not be the universal consensus, but they formed the starting point for the Brazilian GI system, and since 1996 GIs are expressly mentioned as such in domestic legislation. The article analyses the Brazilian GI journey from TRIPS to today’s framework, and points out the challenges that are yet to be faced at domestic, regional and international level.

Possibility of Supplier Restriction for a Protected Designation of Origin to Safeguard the Monitoring System, GRUR International 69, 6 (2020), 639 - 646. DOI

Sui Generis Geographical Indications for the Protection of Non-Agricultural Products in the EU: Can the Quality Schemes Fulfil the Task?, IIC - International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law 51, 1 (2020), 31 - 69 (together with Andrea Zappalaglio, Flavia Guerrieri). DOI

• This paper analyses the suitability of the extension of the EU quality schemes – Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs) – to the protection of non-agricultural products. In particular, the work develops an original investigation on the nature of these goods and assesses whether it is compatible with the scope of protection of the EU sui generis GI system, which is determined by the different origin link that characterises the two abovementioned quality schemes. The research, by applying a mixed comparative/empirical methodology and building upon a previously unpublished dataset, develops an analysis divided into three parts, reaching the following conclusions. First, if sui generis GIs were chosen as the means to protect non-agricultural products, the French legislation on the sui generis protection of handcrafts should be considered as the best practice. Second, the empirical analysis shows that, since non-agricultural goods are characterised by a loose link to a specific place, predominantly based on the on the product’s history and on its distinctive traditional method of production, PGIs seem to be fit for the purpose. Indeed, the analysis of a sample of non-terroir agricultural products protected by PGIs will highlight this parallelism. Third, evidence shows that PDOs could be useful only in a small number of cases while the rationale of Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSGs), despite not being origin labels, can be useful to define products that cannot be linked to a specific area by physical or natural elements. Therefore, the EU legislator should take these elements into consideration if it decides to extend the EU GI regime to non-agricultural products.

Indicações geográficas de serviços. Polêmicas do Porto Digital, Cadernos de Prospecção 8, 3 (2015), 587 - 594 (together with J. da S. Albino). DOI

• English translation of the title: "Geographical Indications for services. Controversies of the Digital Port (Brazil)"

O instituto jurídico da indicação geográfica na promoção do desenvolvimento regional. O caso dos cristais artesanais da Região de Blumenau, Redes 20, 3 (2015), 293 - 313. DOI

• English translation of the title: "The legal institute of geographical indication in regional development promotion. The case of handcrafted crystals of Blumenau region"

Indicações geográficas. O regulamento de uso e as indicações de procedência, Direito e Justiça 14 (2014), 243 - 256 (together with L. Locatelli).

• English translation of the title: "Geographical indications. The code of practice and the indications of source"

Research Papers

Distinctive Signs for Collective Use in Latin America: Development Promotion by Valuing Origin and Quality (Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper, 22-15), 2022, 131 pp. (together with Roxana Carmen Blasetti, Pedro Henrique D. Batista). DOI

• Origin-based production, including manufacturing, handicraft, and especially food production in Latin American countries, is essential to their economies. Quality differentiation systems such as geographical indications, designations of origin, collective and certification marks, and quality labels, among others, can play a dual role in the economic and social development of the region and in adding value to their products with the consequent impact on trade. However, those systems are quite particular to each country due to multiple realities. Therefore, it is challenging to promote integration, harmonisation, and /or cooperation within the region. Therefore, this paper aims to offer a comprehensive legal comparative understanding of how those systems work in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay to back up further research, law, and policy-making on this field. The outcome indicates potential ways forward, targeting especially (a) the potential of a regional system of mutual recognition of the protection granted at the national level and (b) the improvement of the system at the domestic level, according to each country's reality and producer's needs.
• Spanish version published as Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Discussion Paper No. 21

The Potential of Follow-On Innovation Financing Instruments to Support a Sustainable Transition (Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper, No. 22-07), 2022, 22 pp. (together with Natacha Estèves, Alina Wernick). DOI

• In the transition to sustainability, innovation will play a crucial role. As the latter follows intricate paths and processes, IPRs might impede further innovation and slow down the transition to sustainability by blocking innovative technologies – or making it harder to access them. Yet, when adequately used, IPRs may foster knowledge exchange and shared learning. Open innovation - particularly open licensing – can support follow-on innovation by allowing for the circulation and combination of inputs from different actors and help solving the wicked problem of sustainability.
  
  Aside from the mere practice of sharing one's IPRs to foster further innovations in an open innovation setting, the sustainable financing of follow-on innovation will be essential in the coming decades. Indeed, in a crisis-laden world and considering the - presumably - future economic downturns, the question of the financing of follow-on innovation will be critical. There is certainly a need to identify how and under which conditions intellectual property, follow-on innovation and financing models can work together towards a more sustainable world. As the R&D funding in the post-pandemic world might become scarce, uneven, and unpredictable, this article reviews whether some alternative means of funding innovation –particularly emerging blockchain-based solutions – could succeed at supporting follow-on innovation for the greater goal of sustainability.

Signos Distintivos Colectivos en Latinoamérica: Fomento del Desarrollo Valorando Origen y Calidad (Distinctive Signs for Collective Use in Latin America: Development Promotion by Valuing Origin and Quality) (Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Discussion Paper, No. 21), 2022, 144 pp. (together with Roxana Carmen Blasetti, Pedro Henrique D. Batista). DOI

• La producción desarrollada localmente, incluyendo la manufactura, la artesanía y especialmente la producción de alimentos en los países latinoamericanos, es esencial para sus economías. Los sistemas de diferenciación de la calidad, como las indicaciones geográficas, las denominaciones de origen, las marcas colectivas y de certificación, y los sellos de calidad, entre otros, pueden desempeñar un doble papel, tanto para el desarrollo económico y social de la región como para añadir valor a sus productos con el consiguiente impacto en el comercio. Sin embargo, estos sistemas tienen particularidades en cada país debido a las múltiples realidades existentes. Es por ello que constituye un desafío promover a integración, la armonización y/o la cooperación al interior de la región. Es en este sentido que el presente documento ofrece un estudio comparado de las reglas jurídicas vigentes y de cómo funcionan estos sistemas en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Paraguay, Perú y Uruguay para respaldar la investigación y la elaboración de leyes y políticas públicas en la materia. El resultado indica las posibles vías de avance, centrándose especialmente (a) en el potencial de un sistema regional de reconocimiento mutuo de la protección dada a nivel nacional (b) en la mejora del sistema a nivel nacional, según la realidad de cada país y las necesidades de los productores.
• Origin-based production, including manufacturing, handicraft, and especially food production in Latin American countries, is essential to their economies. Quality differentiation systems such as geographical indications, designations of origin, collective and certification marks, and quality labels, among others, can play a dual role in the economic and social development of the region and in adding value to their products with the consequent impact on trade. However, those systems are quite particular to each country due to multiple realities. Therefore, it is challenging to promote integration, harmonisation, and /or cooperation within the region. Therefore, this paper aims to offer a comprehensive legal comparative understanding of how those systems work in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay to back up further research, law, and policy-making on this field. The outcome indicates potential ways forward, targeting especially (a) the potential of a regional system of mutual recognition of the protection granted at the national level and (b) the improvement of the system at the domestic level, according to each country's reality and producer's needs.
• Also published in: Smart IP Initiative
• English version published as: Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper 22-15

Study on the Functioning of the EU GI System, 2022, V + 127 pp. (together with Andrea Zappalaglio et al.).

• Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper
• https://www.ip.mpg.de/fileadmin/ipmpg/content/forschung/Study_on_the_Functioning_of_the_EU_GI_System.pdf
• Also published at SSRN

Traditional Knowledge, Databases and Prior Art – Options for an Effective Defensive Use of TK Against Undue Patent Granting (Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper, No. 21-23), 2021, 34 pp. (together with Reto M. Hilty, Pedro Henrique D. Batista).

• The defensive protection of traditional knowledge (TK) is one of the IP law mechanisms envisaged to protect cultural heritage and guarantee the rights of indigenous and local communities. Through it, information on the prior existence of this knowledge is used to prevent the fulfillment of novelty and inventive step as patentability requirements and, therefore, to avoid the patenting of TK-related inventions by third parties. The creation of TK databases that are accessible to foreign patent offices may facilitate the achievement of this goal. However, to be successful, this measure requires TK to be included in the prior art. This chapter aims to establish under which conditions TK can be considered as part of the prior art and thus be effectively used against undue patenting of inventions based on it. Through the analysis of the public accessibility of the knowledge – including in databases – and of the option of extending the prior art to TK that is not publicly accessible, potential gaps in the defensive use of TK are identified and recommendations for the improvement of its effectiveness are made.
• Available at SSRN

Opinions

Covid-19 and the Role of Intellectual Property - Position Statement of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition of 7 May 2021, 2021, 11 pp. (together with Reto M. Hilty et al.).

• In this Statement, the authors take a position on the waiver of intellectual property (IP) protection currently being considered by the members of the World Trade Organisation. The waiver was initiated by India and South Africa as a measure to enable rapid access to affordable medical products that are necessary to combat Covid-19. The initiative gained momentum after the US decided to support it. The authors do not consider this path to be expedient. The Statement presents factual and legal arguments why a comprehensive waiver of IP protection is unlikely to be a necessary and suitable measure towards the pursued objective. Overall, it argues that IP rights may so far have played an enabling and facilitating rather than hindering role in overcoming Covid-19. The global community might not be better off if IP rights are waived, neither during nor after the pandemic. There are more efficient and direct ways to supply developing countries with vaccines quickly – if the industrialised countries are willing to do their share.
• 2021_05_25_Position_statement_Covid_IP_waiver.pdf
• Also published as: Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper No. 21-13

Further Publications, Press Articles, Interviews

Patent Rights in Pandemic Times, Highlights from the Yearbook of the Max Planck Society 2021 (2022), 26 - 27 (together with Reto M. Hilty, Daria Kim).

• https://www.mpg.de/18802436/jahrbuch-highlights-2021.pdf