Giulio Balossi, Sales Manager of Boselli di Olgiate Comasco and Vice – President of  Distretto Serico Comasco (Como Silk District) talks about the protection of creativity, an issue that is very important given the upcoming Cannes 07 event.

The protection of creativity strategy was first put into practice at Cannes 2006. How are businesses reacting to the strategy?

I would say that the need for the protection of creativity, and therefore the originality of designs and fabrics, is considered to be  very important by European companies and in particular by those from Como, who are very strong in this area. Companies have
shown much interest in the strategy and have also taken part in joint initiatives in this area.

What has already been done and what is in the pipeline to help protect the originality of each collection?

At a joint level a working group  with the Unione Industriali di Como has been established, in which legal and  
technical specialists in the area of design and patents have explained various means of prevention and protection against imitations. SMI-ATI has also set up an office specifically to combat counterfeiting, a very significant problem for  
European textile and clothing companies.
In particular we have recommended that companies lodge their collections with a notary, to certify the definite date of the creation, an essential prerequisite in proving the originality of their design. Following on from this we have advised companies to ask their clients to endorse that they have examined the sample as an undertaking to respect the copyright and the originality of the collection.
 
Are there other trade fairs that have adopted this procedure for the protection of creativity?

The procedure was based on the positive experiences of colleagues from the Shirt Avenue trade fair for the men’s shirt sector.

What according to you should help to reassure and convince visitors?

We want to demonstrate to our clients that we know how to protect our creativity above all by safeguarding  the originality
of their offerings. In this respect a “healthy” market is one that above all offers protection to clients. Unfortunately, only too often we as producers are required to take legal action to protect our legitimate interests against a part of the market that is dazzled by the frantic quest for lower prices and exploits  the originality of our collections by deceitful replication, using the lowest cost producers. We need to put a stop to these practices.

The Cannes trade fair is already close at hand. Do you have any suggestions to offer to the lingerie and beachwear exhibitors?

To remain united in the quest for the protection of creativity. Our world is relatively small and we know  that it is possible, in the interests of all, to effectively protect the creativity of our offerings.In general prevention is better than cure and therefore we urge everyone to make a small effort to inform themselves  through the organisers and to put these simple measures into place to prepare themselves to deal with the market in these areas.