The international community embraces presence of laws that protect people’s ideas, patents, copyrights trade secrets and plagiarism trademarks. Egypt and Canada are not an exception to these laws and are also bound to register the applications by their citizens protecting their intellectual properties against people who may use them to benefit themselves economically.
Unlike Egypt, the government of Canada developed rules pertaining the protection of intellectual property in 1985; this was seven years prior to formulation of laws dealing with intellectual property in Egypt. In both these countries, protection of patents is similar in reference to the period a patent lasts.
A patent lasts 20 years after application after which it is let out to the general public and anyone who wishes to use that work to benefit publicly can do so (Kaphahn, 2009). However, registration in Canada for a patent requires the patent holder to prove that the patent has three characteristics. For one, the work must be a novel. The focus here is on the detail of the invention in question and the seriousness it contains.
The patent should also not be obvious. Special skills are needed to create the object or the thing that needs to be patent, and anything that anyone can come up with cannot be patented. Finally, the thing that is to be awarded a patent needs to have utility. The basic meaning of this is that that thing needs to be able to satisfy a want (Zvulony, 2002).
Copyright registration in these two countries protects the reputation as well as the good will that is attached to the products or the services that are being offered. However, though there is full protection of the goods or services provided, a clause that allows usage of part of the work exists (Kaphahn, 2009). For example, a book a fair dealing clause is in provision. It allows people to partially use the original work and it entirely falls on education bases.
The positioning of these two countries geographically provides an almost similar ways of transport. The main means of transport in these two countries is by road, by rail by water and by air. However, there is a big difference when it comes to the quality of the services in provision in the countries.
When it comes to the road network, Egypt has a notably badly maintained network, while the same cannot be said about the road network in Canada. There was massive investment in the road network after the Second World War in Canada. Due to the fact that it is one of the most competitive means of transport in Canada, especially in short distance, it is well maintained. Development of air transport is also very different countries.
While Egypt may have three major air ports, Canada on the other hand has a staggering 515 airports. The rail network is also available in these two countries. Notable about these two countries in reference to the rail transport is the fact that it is not a common means of transport and is mainly used in transporting of commodities and goods to different regions.
However, the rail network in Canada in more developed than the one in Egypt, which is even aging. The two countries also have water transport as part of their transport systems. The networks in these two regions are found in their big rivers as well as the lakes found in the countries.
As earlier noted, the two countries enjoy transportation of both people and products within and outside their borders. When it comes to transportation of cargo goods in and outside these two countries as a requirement there needs to be an insurance cover that is meant to compensate for any perils that occur during transportation. Each mode of transport has its own insurance coverage that covers any risk that may come about.
The premiums that are paid to these insurance companies are to the respect of the risk that is likely to be encountered when goods are in transit. However, variable and precious goods or jewelry have their portion of premium, which is notably higher than any of the other goods that are covered about by the insurance policy.
The distance that needs to be covered while transporting the cargo in question is also a big contributor to the amount of premium that needs to be paid to the insurance companies. Furthermore, the authorities in these two countries have a provision that is meant to bid those companies that are involved in transportation to ensure that they confirm their transit carriers, so as to avoid any complications in terms of payment, in case there is occurrence of risks.
Egypt and Canada share similarities when it comes to matters of Trade documentation requirements. Such similarities are evident when it comes to releasing of goods from the custom department. Certain documents need to be there for the goods to be released from the ports. Among these documents is the bill of landing.
The information that is contained in this document should be such that it should be corresponding to other documents like the invoices and the way the goods are packaged. Certificate of origin also forms the other type of document that need to be present before the imports are released from the ports (Zaki, 2005).
The importance of the certificate of origin is to ensure that certain information is contained. Among the type of information that may be contained include the following: the weight of the goods in question, the full address of the country and the company that manufactures the goods. Similarity in these two countries extend even when it comes to exportation of the goods.
An export card is required in both countries, which is issued by the ministry that is concerned with imports and exports, for example the ministry of industries when it comes to Egypt. Taxation card is also a requirement when it comes to the two countries. The importance of this card is to ensure that taxation is carried out for any imports brought about in the country and the right amount charged. Other trading documents needed when carrying out trading in these countries is the insurance certificate.
Both countries highlight on the importance of having insurance, especially when it comes to importers (Porter, 2011). Pro-Forma invoice is also important and a requirement, and comes in four copies. Among the contents is the country that the goods originated from the quantity, as well as the price charged on the goods. The type of commodity that is being traded as well as value of the commodity in foreign currency is also a requirement.
However, there is a difference on the way valuables are treated in both countries. While not special attention is paid to them in Canada, Egypt has such a policy that highlight on the importance of stating valuables like jewelry and electronics. In fact, failure to do so may lead to a scenario where the valuables may be confiscated awaiting charges on why the goods were not stated.
Regulations regarding foods are also common in the two countries. The policies are put in place in protection of health matters. Such policies are put into place to ensure that there is no food that is advertised or sold to the general public, which is poisonous in nature or in case it contains harmful components.
Foods that are manufactured or packaged in facilities that are not sanitary friendly are also not fit for advertisement, and selling the same to people is prohibited. Agricultural chemicals are necessary for growth of some of the agricultural products, which further constitutes food. However, both countries highlight on the importance of ensuring that the set standards on the maximum number of chemicals food products should contained is maintained.
The standards that the chemicals used in agricultural food products should be contained are set out by the authorities and should be limited to a certain maximum level. Further, the two countries share opinions when it comes to advertising and provision of foods, which are packaged in such a way that they cause misleading impressions to the general public. Misleading information in this case is inclusive of erroneous values, quantity and the components of the products.
The laws are also similar to the ones concerning foods when it comes to drugs. Any misleading and deceptive information is discouraged and there are laws put in place to ensure that such does not happen. Deceptive information includes information that gives untrue information about the value of the drugs, the components of the drugs as well as the safety standards incorporated in manufacturing of the products.
Drugs that are also packaged in a sanitary unpleasant area and drugs that are unpackaged in a sanitary unpleasant area are also prohibited from being sold in both the countries. Packaging as well as advertising of drugs that do not meet the standard set out by the authorities is also prohibited in these two countries.
The laws of the two countries also against any advertising that is meant to cause a mistake of the substances that are used in the manufacture of these drugs.
Sanitary conditions are also required to be observed when packaging these drugs, and if these drugs have been packaged in conditions that do not meet these drugs, then they are not presumed fit to be advertised, leave alone being sold for consumptions. Distribution of drugs that are meant to be samples is not also allowed in any of these countries, as it is required that the right standards for the drugs should be there for them to qualify to be sold or advertised.
The government of the day is an important player when it comes to protection of the consumers of the product that are put in the market by the various firms and organizations in the country. Egypt and Canada are also actively involved in ensuring that the consumers of the products produced locally or imported are protected against from producers and manufacturers who are not genuine in offering their products.
The laws put into place also ensure that the individuals who come across such products report in case they come across such manufacturers. In addition, there is need to ensure that incidents that lead to death or serious incidents get reported to the government to ensure that information is used to promote safety. Further, testing is important in both countries to ensure that only products that fit the set standards are traded.
The two countries also have hard fines and penalties to individuals who fail to comply with the laws set by the authorities (Antario, 2011). The aim of having these fines is to ensure that manufactures abide to the laws laid down, and put the acts set aside as priorities in manufacturing of the goods. Labeling of products should be such that it conforms to the laws that are put across.
Labeling of products which do not fit the standards is forbidden and there is need to ensure that only products of good quality are put in the market for consumption (Antario, 2011). The language that is used is advertising products that are meant for use by general public should be free of errors and should also not be misleading.
Erroneous messages when it comes to advertising are considered breach of laws that ensure there is protection of consumers of the products. In both countries, English is a language that is used to advertise. However, the case is different when it comes to Egypt as Arabic is incorporated in both communicating and advertising the products in the market. The same language is used in defining the rules that concerns protection of the customers.
References
Antario, S. (2011). Consumer Protection Act, 2002. Web.
Kaphahn, D. (2009). Understanding Intellectual Property Rights in Egypt. GAT Pp 1-2.
Porter, L. (2011). Transportation in Canada. Web.
Zaki, A. F. (2005). Documentation for customs requirements – egypt. Pp1-2.
Zvulony, G. (2002). Intellectual Property in Canada. Web.