Welcome to our blog for Intellectual Property Law and Practice in Latin America!
¡Bienvenidos a nuestro blog de Derecho y Práctica de la Propiedad Intelectual en Latinoamérica!
Bem-vindo ao nosso blog sobre Direito e Prática de Propriedade Intelectual na América Latina!

Friday 26 December 2014

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr

En Chile reconocen a «Alfarería de Quinchamalí» como Denominación de Origen

El Instituto Nacional de Propiedad Industrial de Chile (INAPI) otorgó el reconocimiento a la «Alfarería de Quinchamalí» como Denominación de Origen (D.O.). El signo tiene como titulares a la Unión de Artesanos de Quinchamalí tras un proceso iniciado en octubre de 2013.

El registro Nº 1144015 está referido a la D.O. «Alfarería de Quinchamalí» para productos de la clase 21 del nomenclátor con el siguiente contenido indicado en la resolución: Piezas de alfarería del tipo utilitaria y ornamental, de color negro logrado por la quema y el ahumado directo en base a combustible de guano o paja, decorado con elementos fitomorfos o geométricos pintados en blanco sobre el negro de la pieza;de la clase 21 del Clasificador Internacional de Niza. 

Según indica su solicitud corresponde a la alfarería producida en localidades de Quinchamalí y Santa Cruz de Cuca, comuna de Chillán, Provincia de Ñuble, Octava región del Bio-Bio.Chile. 

Coordenadas UTM correspondientes a la localidad de Quinchamalí 19H 195256,53025; 5941299, 30781, 19H 193583,76482; 5939253,16299, 19H 196890,16663; 5939138,04115, 19H196233,62327; 5936992,82289.

Coordenadas UTM correspondientes a la localidad de Santa Cruz de Cuca 19H 193282,87296; 5936969,34912, 19H 195883,94256; 5934819,84481. 

En una ceremonia realizada en el Centro de Eventos de Quinchamalí, el Director Nacional del INAPI Maximiliano Santa Cruz, hizo entrega del título del signo distintivo con el que se busca promocionar y proteger comercialmente productos típicos del país, fomentando el desarrollo local. Con éste, son 12 los productos que cuentan con el sello.

Para Mónica Venegas, Presidenta de la Unión de Artesanos de Quinchamalí este reconocimiento es “algo
muy importante por lo que hemos luchado casi 2 años. Si bien es cierto, nuestro trabajo es algo único que se realiza en el país, pero es fundamental destacarlo, porque nos comparan con otras gredas y tenemos que explicar nuestro discurso; que nuestro trabajo es manual, ancestral, que no ha cambiado con el tiempo....por lo que esta Denominación de Origen nos da el sello, la certificación, que sí somos nosotras las creadoras de este oficio, de este arte”. 

Fuente: Constanza Zülch (Comunicaciones INAPI)
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Jeremy

Costa Rica: retrograde reform for representation?

IP Tango learns of some interesting developments in Costa Rica, relating to the status there of the "attorney-of-fact".  According to the information received:
Under the Costa Rican legislation, it is necessary to submit a power of attorney when appearing as a representative of a company or an individual before the Trademark Office and Patent Office. This document requires very simple formalities, such as being acknowledged by a notary public, and does not necessitate any sort of legalisation. In the absence of this requisite at the time of filing, the local rules allowed representatives to file applications and related actions as attorneys-in-fact, provided that the power of attorney was filed within the following three months for international companies, and within a month for domestic entities.

However, Official Guideline DRPI-0004-2014 (dated October 23 2014, published in the Official Gazette on November 10) of the Industrial Property Registry established new requirements for the filing of applications and related actions as attorneys-in-fact.

Specifically, the use of this mechanism is subject to the presentation of a certificate of good standing of the company at issue, or of a life certificate or proper identification in the case of individuals. In both cases, the documents must be legalised when they have been issued abroad. Paradoxically, although powers of attorney do not currently require legalisation, the Industrial Property Registry conditioned the use of this mechanism on the presentation of the documents described above, as provided in the local Civil Procedure Code. If the requested documents are not submitted at the time of filing or after the Trademark Office or Patent Office has issued an office action, the application or related action will be archived and it will not be possible to reactivate it [One might ask who actually benefits from this? What will it do to facilitate business and commerce, to encourage greater use of the IP system or to enable it to run more efficiently?]. This is quite worrying, since applications claiming priority would be at risk if the additional documentation is not filed on time. ...
This development is predicted to cause problems and is seen as a retrograde step in the smooth operation of the country's IP system.

Source: "Industrial Property Registry sets new rules for attorneys-in-fact" by Esteban Monge (Zürcher Lawyers, San Jose), from World Trademark Review, 14 December 2014
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Wednesday 24 December 2014

Jeremy

Brazil abandons 35mm film in favour of digitisation

"ANCINE and BNDES to Finance digitization of movie theaters in Brazil" is the news from a bulletin issued by Brazilian law firm Di Blasi, Parente & Associates. The news goes like this:
"Main movie distributors will no longer continue to market the 35mm film medium as of 2015, so the Brazilian government has created the “Cinema Close to You” program promoting the adaptation and installation of new movie theaters with a new digital technology standard, as well as expanding the movie internal market in Brazil.

It is a joint effort between the National Film Agency (ANCINE), Ministry of Culture, National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Audiovisual Sector Fund (FSA). According to the BNDES, the following items can be the subject of special financing under the program:
(i) acquisition in the national market or import of new digital projectors compatible with the DCI standard (“Digital Cinema Initiatives”), as well as processing units, parts and accessories thereof;

(ii) acquisition in the national market or import of digital sound processing units;

(iii) customs, insurance and transport costs;

(iv) installation and assembly costs;

(v) acquisition of necessary furniture and fixtures for digital projection;

(vi) management and technological training, training and certification costs;

(vii) equipment for signal reception;

(viii) equipment that is necessary for the assembly of the operation center.
The “Cinema Close to You” program will enter into force on January 31, 2015, and a financing program of US$309,000 has already been granted to Quanta DGT – Telem Group – so that 770 movie theaters belonging to national enterprises can make the switch to the new digital technology standard".
Presumably this will both boost cinema attendance through the provision of higher quality video and sound experience and assist those involved in piracy and unlicensed commercial activities. It will be interesting to see which benefits more: the legitimate or the illegitimate sector.
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Friday 19 December 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Something for everyone

    No comments:
Carlos Agusto Conde-Gutierréz, lecturer at Universidad Externado de Colombia, contacted the blog to invite all our subscribers to read 'Revista la Propiedad Inmaterial', No 18.

The magazine is published annually. It contains a wide diversity of IP areas such as biotechnology, new technologies, sui generis rights, patentability and trade marks among others. This year, it covers jurisdictions such as Singapore, Mexico and Colombia. In general, it can be said that the magazine has something for everyone.

Some of the articles are published in English while others in Spanish and can be read here for free.

.
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Monday 8 December 2014

Jeremy

Uruguay joins El Salvador, commits to Marrakesh

According to Marrakesh Notification No. 4: Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, the Government of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, on 1 December 2014, deposited its instrument of ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty -- but it won't come into force till it reaches the required number of ratifications or accessions in accordance with Article 18 of that Treaty, ie three months after 20 eligible parties have signed up for it.

At present the number stands at four (you can check here to see whether more have signed up since) but at least this is positive news for Latin America. Of the four, two countries -- a full 50% -- are from Latin America, the other being El Salvador (the other countries being India and the United Arab Emirates).
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Friday 5 December 2014

Gilberto Macias (@gmaciasb)

Los derechos de autor y de marca detrás del ‘Chavo del 8’

Roberto Gómez Bolaños, creador de los famosos personajes como ‘El Chavo del 8’ y ‘El Chapulín Colorado”, falleció el pasado 28 de noviembre a los 85 años. La fama del comediante mexicano y de sus personajes traspasó fronteras, convirtiéndose en todo un ícono en América Latina y ostentando una importante fama a nivel mundial.

Además de los numerosos recuerdos que deja en varias generaciones, también deja peleas por la autoría sobre sus personajes y, evidentemente, sobre los ingresos que ellos generan.

La serie de ‘El Chavo del 8’ se convirtió en un producto exitoso, con más de 30 años transmisión y de retransmisión, que facilitó la construcción de una marca, lo cual representó un proceso contrario a lo normal, que es construir previamente la marca y luego lanzar el producto. Por ello puede decirse que la marca nació ‘sin querer queriendo’.

Actualmente Televisa comercializa la marca El Chavo. Bimbo, McDonald’s, Barcel y Kellog’s son algunas de las empresas que han adquirido los derechos de la marca.

Respecto a los derechos de autor, la propiedad sobre la serie y los personajes han significado y seguirán significando una enorme entrada de dinero para sus herederos y Televisa. Según Forbes desde 1992, cuando El Chavo del 8 dejó de emitirse, Televisa ha obtenido un estimado de 1.700 billones de dólares por derechos de autor ya que el canal es dueño de los derechos audiovisuales sobre la serie y sus producciones hermanas.

Pero no todo lo que reluce es oro alrededor de las series y personajes creados por Gómez Bolaños, sonoras han sido las peleas legales que mantuvo por los derechos sobre ‘La Chilindrina’ y ‘Quico’.

Más información aquí, aquí, aquí  y con nuestros amigos de @marcasur



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Thursday 27 November 2014

Jeremy

Registration of IP licences: good news from Argentina

Argentina's National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) has established a new registry for patent, trade marks, utility model, industrial model and design licences, as well as for technology transfer agreements. The registry will be administered by INPI's Technology Transfer Department.

Under Resolution 117/2014 of 9 June 2014, registration of licence agreements is voluntary. However, registered licence agreement will be enforceable against third parties since the latter will be deemed to have notice of them.

The new registration facility is available for both domestic licence agreements and those between Argentine licensors and foreign licensees. Although it is not explicitly so provided in the Resolution, the authorities have indicated their understanding that it will also apply to licence agreements executed between foreign residents.

Source: "INPI Creates a New Registry of Licenses", contributed to the INTA Bulletin by Juan M. López Mañán (Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal, Buenos Aires)
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Monday 17 November 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Scientology Church, ‘Prosperity’ and the Washington Convention: what do they have in common?

    No comments:
For one reason or another, our society has become aware of the Scientology Church, which was founded in 1952 by L. Ron Hubbard, a writer of science fiction at the time. Some of us, in the legal arena, are perhaps more prompted to hear about the Scientology church. In the area of intellectual property we hear cases on copyright and trade secrets for example. The case that I read over the weekend in the newspaper La Republica caught my attention, since this time was about trade marks.

The party in question is the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) which describes itself as ‘Uniting all organizations and professionals using L. Ron Hubbard’s management technology.’ Back in October 2013 WISE opposed to the registration of the mark ‘Prosperity’, requested by Jafer Limited (here) in class 16 (magazines and publications, promoting fashion, beauty and personal care, as well as selling cosmetics, makeup, perfume, among others). The arguments brought by WISE in both instances of the Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) were as follows:
• Lack of distinctiveness, and
• the existence of the registered mark ‘Prosperity’ belonging to Wise.

This latter argument was examined by SIC. According to WISE, the sign requested “fall within the grounds of non-registrability” as established in Article 7 of the General Inter-American Convention for Trademark and Commercial Protection (Washington Convention). Colombia is a member of such agreement (in force since 1936) as well as many other Latin American countries and the United States. The convention is hosted by the Organization of American States.

Legal background...to prosperity
Mr Camilo Suarez, IP lawyer and an associate at prietocarrizosa firm explained that "trademark oppositions based on different rules to the Decision 486 are not as common”. He continues to explain that opposition based in other legislative provisions “are reserved for cases like this where very particular characteristics of internationality are imposed and they are exceptions to the principle of territoriality in trademark law.” In the same line, it is clarified that not only Decision 486 (CAN Common Intellectual Property Regime) is applied to protect brands, but also other legal instruments such as the Paris Agreement and the Washington Convention.

Art 7 of the Washington Convention however requires that apart from demonstrating that the signs are similar, it must also prove that the applicant “had knowledge of the existence and continuous use in any of the Contracting States of the mark on which opposition is based upon goods of the same class”. WISE is the owner of the ‘Priority’ mark in the United States in class 16 of the Nice Classification.

Jafer Ltd appealed to the decision arguing that the mark was cancelled for non-use in Class 16 of the Nice International in Colombia in 2013 ( Resolution 78474-2011). It also argued that there was no evidence that it had prior knowledge of the existence of that sign. The superintendent disagreed and the first instance decision was upheld and thus, granting “extra- territorial protection to the foreign trademark."
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Friday 14 November 2014

Jeremy

Peru snubs TM coexistence agreement, rejects NP300 registration

Nissan Navara NP300
By Resolution No 2005-2014/TPI, INDECOPI -- which serves as an appellate administrative body -- rejected a coexistence agreement filed by Nissan Motor Co in connection with its application to register the alphanumeric mark NP300 for "motor vehicles and parts thereof" in Class 12.  General Motors owned an earlier registered trade mark, N300, for "vehicles and parts thereof" in the same class, but had not opposed Nissan's application.

Chevrolet Move N300
The Peruvian Trade Mark Office considered the two marks to be confusingly similar and rejected Nissan's application. Nissan then appealed to INDECOPI, arguing that several trade marks containing the number 300 already coexisted in Class 12 (these being L300, R-300, T-300 and CROSSMAX CR 300). What's more, Nissan filed a coexistence agreement it had made with General Motors, under which the two car-makers pledged to take all necessary measures to avoid any likelihood of confusion among consumers when using the trade marks N300 and NP300.

INDECOPI dismissed the appeal, referring to the Andean Community Decision 486 on a Common Industrial Property Regime, which requires trade mark law to protect the interests of consumers. Accordingly, even though the parties had entered into an agreement, consumers might be confused when seeing both trade marks since NP300 and N300 both looked and sounded pretty similar. Further, even though both parties said they would take all necessary measures to avoid any likelihood of confusion, they gave no clue as to what specific actions they had in mind.

Source: "Court rejects coexistence agreement between Nissan and GM" by Adriana Barrera (BARLAW - Barrera & Asociados, Lima, Peru), posted on World Trademark Review, 29 October 2014
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Thursday 13 November 2014

Jeremy

Registering numerals in Chile: there's safety in numbers ...

In a ruling earlier this year the Chilean Industrial Property Court overturned the decision of Chile's National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) and allowed the registration of the mark 1818 for products in Class 25.

The applicant, Brooks Brothers Group Inc., sought to register the trade mark "1818" -- the year in which the original Brooks Brothers business was founded. Although this application was unopposed, it was rejected ex officio by the head of INAPI on the ground that it was contrary to Articles 19 and 20e of the Industrial Property Law (Law No. 19,039) because the term “1818” was non-distinctive or descriptive of the products in question.

On appeal, the Industrial Property Court took the opposite view and explained:
“as previously resolved by this Court, numbers from 0 to 9 cannot be registered as word marks, since they allow the composition of the remaining numbers (infinite) of the system; in all other cases, numbers are perfectly registrable, and indeed, easily distinguishable from each other, because each of them represents a different amount. This reasoning justifies the registration of the figure ‘1818’ as a trade mark, given that it has its own distinctive characteristics and a particular appearance allowing it to obtain trade mark protection.”
This is good news -- except perhaps for anyone who wants to register the number "8181" for goods in Class 25, which is identical to "1818! when viewed upside down.

Source: "Court Rules on Registration of Numbers as Trademarks", by Francisco Silva, Silva & Cia., Santiago, Chile, INTA Bulletin vo.69 no.18
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Monday 10 November 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Leasing your business: trade mark management

    No comments:
From Bucaramanga, Colombia comes an interesting case regarding the use of the trade mark ‘El Bambuco’ for the production of strings for musical instruments.

In 1973, Mr Emiliano Navarro founded 'El Bambuco' a factory of strings for musical instruments. On 2011, before his death he leased the commercial property to one of his employees, Mr Salvador Suarez Gonzalez.  When Mr Emiliano Navarro's son  (Nelson Navarro Carreño) applied for the registration of the mark 'El Bambuco', Mr Gonzalez opposed to the application of the said trade mark on the grounds that the sign was identical to his and used for the same business. Mr Gonzales noted that for the last 3 years, he has sustained and built upon the reputation of the said mark. Additionally, Mr Gonzalez registered the company in the Chamber of Commerce of Bucaramanga.

A matter of ownership
In October 2014, the Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) the second instance, revoked the decision made by the Directorate of Distinctive Signs (first instance) in which it refused to register ‘El Bambuco’ as a trade mark.

SIC acknowledged that the sign has been used prior the application. However, such right of use was not evident in the lease contract. Mr Nelson Navarro argued that the lease was for the use of the premises rather than the mark. He also argued that the mark applied for has acquired a high level of recognition among consumers for the last 37 years (not the last 3 years).

Another turn on this event was that the sign 'EL Bambuco' in class 15 was previously registered by Mr Emilio Navarro but he did not renewed the mark - expired in November 1996 (see this dossier here). SIC reviewed the evidence provided and determined that it was evident from the lease contract that the sign was existent and that the owner of the sign did not transfer its ownership to the tenant. SIC also heard evidence from two former employees of the factory who recognized that the original owner of the sign was Mr Emiliano Navarro. It was therefore concluded that Mr Gonzales “has always been aware” that the brand belonged to the landlord and that on his death, ownership passed to his heirs.

Source La Republica (in Spanish).

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Friday 7 November 2014

Jeremy

Creative Industries and Entrepreneurship: an event

From Carlos Conde (lecturer in IP in the University Externado of Colombia) comes news of a seminar on IP in Bogotá organized by the Intellectual Property Department of the University Externado of Colombia. The title of this seminar is “Creative Industries and Entrepreneurship”. The University Externado of Colombia’s website says:
The Externado Intellectual Property Department organizes this seminar to discuss creative or entertainment industries, such as music publishers, recording producers, audiovisual producers, advertising agencies, musical artists and actors, among others.

The theme will focus on providing an overview on the workings of the entertainment industry and the copyright challenges and opportunities presented, from a practical and theoretical point of view.

The list of speakers can be found here 

The event will take place on 13 and 14 November [that's next week!] in the main campus of the University Externado of Colombia.  All are welcome, of course.
For further information follow this link.
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Monday 3 November 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Biopiracy: a decade to celabrate

    No comments:
Peru is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its National Anti-Biopiracy Commission. The said Commission is chaired by the Peruvian National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI).


The Anty-Biopiracy Commission aims to protect the Peruvian genetic resources and traditional knowledge (TK). It does so by “tracking, identifying and combating biopiracy cases occurring worldwide and affecting cultural and biological diversity.” INDECOPI acknowledges that the Commission is unique in the world; it searches through patent offices in all countries in order to identify patents which may involve Peruvian biological products or Peruvian TK. Once this is identified, opposition to this application starts. If patent has already been granted, the Commission would applied for the patents to be annulled.

INDECOPI reports that up to today, the Commission has “analysed more than 7000 patent documents related to 69 biological resources of Peruvian origin”. That said, the Commission is not opposed to the use of Peruvian biological resources and/or TK. What the National Anti-Biopiracy Commission aims to, is to make sure that the use of the genetics resources and/or TK are “used legally and with a fair contribution for the benefit of sustainable development of the country and especially the native communities.”

Peru ratified the Nagoya Protocol which became effective last October (12th).

More information @INDECOPI.
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Monday 27 October 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Colombia: a toy decision

    No comments:
Back in October 2013 the Colombian company ‘Two of You’ applied for the registration of the mark ‘Toy Two of You’ in class 3 of the Nice Classification (i.e. nail varnish/polish, nail art stickers, perfumes,among others). Once the application was published and no opposition was filled, the Superintendence (SIC) started to examine the registrability of the sign.


At such stage, SIC encountered the registered mark ‘Toy Story’ in class 3 by Disney Enterprise. Due to this finding, the office believed that the signs were similar and thus, would cause confusion among the public. Therefore, the application was rejected on relative grounds of refusal Art 136 Andean Community (CAN) Decision 486.

Two of you appealed to the decision arguing that the marks were not similar since they were orthographic differentiated, especially visually. While they shared the word 'Toy' there were other element that differentiated them. The appealed succeed and the mark ‘Toy Two of you’ have been successfully registered (Dossier No 13246132).

The newspaper La Republica published the point of view of IP lawyer Guillermo Navarro, who said that the first instance decision "was an exaggerated interpretation, and out of context”. And thus agreeing with the appeal outcome. Moreover, he asserts that the signs contained enough differences and that this was showed by Disney not filing opposition. Another IP lawyer opinion was also published, that of Miss Julia Carmen Monroy, at Wolf & Mendez who also agreed with the appeal conclusion. She said that "Toy Story is a well-positioned brand in the market, and … consumers do very well differentiate the two products.”
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Thursday 23 October 2014

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr

INAPI de Chile inicia sus operaciones como ISA/IPEA del PCT


Hace dos años tuvo lugar la designación del INAPI de Chile como ISA/IPEA en el marco del Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

El 22 de octubre mediante un acto público con presencia de autoridades políticas se dio inicio oficial a las operaciones como Administración Encargada de Búsqueda y Examen Preliminar Internacional (ISA /IPEA), en el marco del  PCT, pasando a ser una de las 19 oficinas de PI que asiste a los solicitantes en busca de protección internacional por patente y a las Oficinas en las decisiones sobre el otorgamiento de patentes. Chile se convierte en el segundo país de la región, junto con la Oficina de Brasil, con capacidad para de desarrollar informes internacionales de patentabilidad.

Según destacó el Director Nacional de la institución Maximiliano Santa Cruz “nos hemos preparado durante dos años para asumir este rol, capacitando a nuestros examinadores, adquiriendo bases de datos de información tecnológica y mejorando nuestros sistemas de control de calidad. Estoy seguro que estaremos a la altura de la responsabilidad que nos entregó la comunidad internacional”.

Para más información sobre el rol que tendrá INAPI como ISA/IPEA haga click en http://www.inapi.cl/portal/institucional/600/w3-propertyvalue-910.html


Fuente: Constanza Zülch Barrios (Encargada de Comunicaciones INAPI)
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Tuesday 21 October 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Starbucks: no 'shared planet' in Colombia

    No comments:
On July this year the American well-known coffee brand Starbucks launched its first store in Colombia. But, before launching its store it applied for the registration of some of its trade marks at the Colombian Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC). While the nominative and graphic marks for Starbucks did not encounter any issue, the same cannot be said for its nominative mark ‘Shared Planet’ applied to be registered in classes 30, 36 and 41 respectively.

Despite the fact that there was not opposition for the mark to be registered SIC proceeded to examine the sign in accordance with Art 150 Decision 486 of the Andean Community (i.e. “At the expiration of the period stipulated in article 148, or if no objections have been filed, the competent national office shall proceed to conduct the examination of registrability.”). By doing so, SIC found that the mark was similar to a previous registered one i.e. ‘Sharé’ (Dossier No 03 085665) registered back in September 2003 to Mr Martinez in class 30 Nice Classification (coffee, tea, vinegar, condiment sauces, etc) and therefore, rejected the said application for just that class. SIC granted to Starbucks the nominative mark ‘Shared Planet’ in classes 36 and 41 after the company appealed to the decision.

In the opinion of Ms Calderon, a lawyer from Prietocarrizosa, "this is a very complex case as there are reasons to believe that the signs have substantial differences that would not allow a consumer to get confused between them, but on the other side it is clear that the main elements of both signs are quite similar, hence, understand the position of the SIC to deny registration ".

It is noticeable from the dossier that the expiration date is/was 30 April 2014 and thus, up to today there has not been renewal of the said mark. However, SIC grants a grace period of 6 months and thus, Mr Martinez do have until 30 October to renew its mark – otherwise, after this day, it would be free to grab.

The newspaper 'La Republica' publishes the view of Mr, Jesus Mendez, an IP lawyer from the firm Wolf & Méndez. He appears to disagree with the ‘grace period’ stating that "In strict legal sense, the mark has expired and in this case [SIC] is extending the period of protection.”

Nevertheless one might remember that according to Art 153 Decision 486 of the Andean Community, the owner of a registered trade mark or any party with a legitimate right “shall be given a grace period of six months following the date of expiration of the registration in which to apply for renewal.” Moreover, the “registered trade mark shall retain its full validity over that period.” That said, and using the same statement as Mr Mendez, ‘in strict legal sense’ Mr Martinez still have a legal base for its mark to be protected and for SIC rejecting the said application from Starbucks.
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Monday 20 October 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Brazil: Progress and looking ahead -- facilitating online services

    No comments:
The Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propiedade Industrial (INPI) is now facilitating access to online search system of trade marks, patents, industrial designs, and computer programs. It all started last Tuesday, October 14.


There is a direct link and thus access to the database without going through login/password page. However, if you would like to have access to a wider content and thus, production of documents, you should register. This latter appears to be a straightforward and easy process i.e. just filing out certain details – as far as I am aware nothing to do with ‘payment/fee’ details as the Venezuelan IP office requires (see previous post here).

Registration, while not crucial, comes divided into three sectors: 1.- Client (natural or legal person domiciled in the country); 2.- Lawyer or Attorney without special qualification (representing a client in the requested services); and 3.- Industrial Property Agent.

This new addition complements previous online services such as: ‘e-marcas, electronic view of petitions, and ‘push’.
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Jeremy

Colombia trade mark registration keeps getting speedier

At the end of September Natalia Franco Onofre posted the good news on IP Tango that trade mark registration in Colombia was now taking place more swiftly, with registration in six months becoming a reality. It now seems that, following implementation by the Colombia Trade Mark Office of Administrative Resolution 48348, the average time for registration has dropped to four months. This is clearly good news for trade mark applicants.

Source: "COLOMBIA: Trademark Registration Now Takes As Little As Four Months" by Jorge Chávarro (Cavelier Abogados, Bogota), published in the INTA Bulletin, October 15, 2014, Vol. 69, No. 19.
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Wednesday 15 October 2014

Gilberto Macias (@gmaciasb)

Mercosur IPR SME Helpdesk

El Mercosur IPR SME Helpdesk ofrece de forma gratuita una primera línea de asistencia en temas relacionados con Propiedad Industrial e Intelectual y derechos de PI con el objetivo de facilitar la expansión de las PYME europeas (PYME de la UE y de los países asociados a la UE) que ya están instaladas, o trabajando con entidades de MERCOSUR y Chile, así como a aquellas potencialmente interesadas en emprender actividades comerciales y de I+D+i en estos países.
 
El Mercosur IPR SME Helpdesk es un proyecto que se puso en marcha en Noviembre del 2013, está cofinanciado por la Comisión Europea y en el cual participa un consorcio de instituciones de Europa y América Latina:

También cuenta con la colaboración y participación de diversos Expertos Senior de Mercosur, Chile y otros países latinoamericanos.

Mercosur IPR SME Helpdesk proporciona información, formación, así como asistencia personalizada y gratuita en materia de derechos de PI en MERCOSUR y Chile, a través de una completa serie de servicios y actividades, como por ejemplo una línea de ayuda “Helpline” (asistencia online y oficina física en Brasil), la publicación de documentos, noticias y eventos, actividades de formación, etc.

Para mantenerse al día de lo que pasa en el mundo de la propiedad intelectual con un enfoque orientado a la pequeña y mediana empresa en Latinoamérica, y especialmente en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay y Venezuela, os recomendamos suscribiros a su Newsletter y seguirlos en Twitter, LinkedIn y  YouTube.
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Monday 13 October 2014

Jeremy

Ecuador decriminalises IP crimes -- for the time being

IP Tango learns that, following the adoption of a comprehensive Criminal Code, Ecuador has decriminalised both counterfeiting and the infringement of intellectual property rights. This new law is in conflict with the TRIPS Agreement, Article 61 of which states:
Members shall provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied at least in cases of wilful trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy on a commercial scale. Remedies available shall include imprisonment and/or monetary fines sufficient to provide a deterrent, consistently with the level of penalties applied for crimes of a corresponding gravity. In appropriate cases, remedies available shall also include the seizure, forfeiture and destruction of the infringing goods and of any materials and implements the predominant use of which has been in the commission of the offence. Members may provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied in other cases of infringement of intellectual property rights, in particular where they are committed wilfully and on a commercial scale.
There are however a number of measures which, if not as directly applicable and effective as the criminal law, are still available to combat the sale of counterfeit goods. These measures include administrative actions, such as border measures; civil actions; and actions based on the Ecuadorian Constitution/

The government is also said to have announced that it is reviewing the position, and proposals to amend the Criminal Code and restore criminal penalties for IP are currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

This blogger is somewhat alarmed at the cavalier manner in which such an economically important measure as the provision of criminal remedies for certain IP infringements has been treated: perhaps the Ecuador government is unaware of the damage caused to legitimate business interests and ultimately to its own tax revenue by inadequate IP enforcement measures.

Source: "ECUADOR: IP Infringements Decriminalized", INTA Bulletin Vol. 69, No. 18 (information contributed by Maria Cecilia Romoleroux, Corral Rosales Carmigniani Perez, Quito).
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Wednesday 8 October 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Colombia: a notorious mark for UNILEVER

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The Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) received an application to register the word mark ‘Lavomatic’ in Class 9 of the Nice Classification i.e. digital recording media, cash registers, apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity, and the like.

Once the application was published, UNILEVER opposed to the registration on relatives grounds: Art 136 (a) of CAN Decision 486 (the Andean Common Intellectual Property Regime) i.e. identical marks for identical or similar goods/services; and (h) “consist of a total or partial reproduction, imitation, translation, transliteration, or transcription of a well-known sign belonging to a third party without regard to the type of product or service to which it shall be applied, the use of which would lead to a likelihood of confusion or mistaken association with that party,; taking unfair advantage of the prestige of the sign; or weakening its distinctive force or its use for commercial or advertising purposes.”

UNILEVER is the owner of the word mark ‘Lavomatic’ in Class 3 i.e. bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions; dentifrices. Consequently, while the word marks were identical, the goods were neither identical nor similar (as required by Art 136(a) Decision 486). SIC further stated that when comparing the products no direct or indirect relationship would generate the public/ consumer to be confused – “consumers will be in the ability to identify and individualize one from the other and recognize that [the products] belong to different entrepreneurs."

However, UNILEVER claimed that its mark was ‘well-known’ and submitted evidence such as: investment of d $2,000 million in the period between 2011 and 2013 on advertising and promotional activities; revenues of $ 11,876 million in 2011, $ 29,000 million in 2012. It requested its mark to be declared ‘notorious’. After examining the evidence, SIC ruled that ‘Lavomatic’ by Unilever is a well-known trade mark and thus, the opposition action was successful under Art 136(h) Decision 486.

Source La Republica.
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Tuesday 7 October 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Venezuela: encouraging to register trade marks?

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The Venezuelan Intellectual Property Office (SAPI) informs in its webpage the ‘good’ news that it has officially computerized the trade mark search for phonetic and graphic signs. I was excited to read the title and eager to start browsing around as I always do with my students when we cover the topic of trade marks, however…well it is not that simple (time or money wise).

According to the information provided, the computer aspect of it refers to the following: service request and deliver of the information is done via e-mail -- that’s it! Yet, SAPI’s Director said that the “new system via internet searches, is a significant advance in the quality of service that we provided to users, and is due to the instruction of [Venezuelan] President Nicolas Maduro: Efficiency or Nothing."

When looking at the webpage and the process this is also noticed: “This search allows you to request a certain number of searches ...depending on the amount deposited in the bank”. The deposit ought to be done 24 hours before the search is allowed. After you do so, you will be able to use the search ‘computer’ service by submitting all details regarding the deposit (about 6 questions are asked here about the money) and you will then submit the phonetic and/or graphic trade mark you would like to search for. Finally, you will receive an email within 48 hours after application to give you the results of the search.

Money, money, money.
The cost of a search for phonetic marks is 169.00 Bs for each class you want to search. The graphic marks cost of search is 113.00 Bs per class.

How much is this, actually? The new daily minimum wage in Venezuela is 141.71 Bs…so, you do the math…no economical at all. What this really means is that you will have to skip a couple of your daily bread if you want to use this ‘quality service’ provided by the institution.

It is wrong to believe that trade marks are  only for wealthy business/people. Moreover, it is recommended to register a trade mark from day one – so, before you get any return or gain from your business. The price instead of motivating small business to register, it is actually deterring them from doing so. And regarding the President’s slogan ‘efficiency or nothing’, well…it is open to debate.

Source SAPI.
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Monday 6 October 2014

Patricia Covarrubia

Colombia announces more legal protection to be given to patent inventors

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coyote.jpg
The Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) as the authority for Industrial Property used to take approx. 63 months (more than 5 years) to grant a patent. Due to this delay, the office has been working towards speeding the request for patents and today, the average has been reduced to 24 months (2 years). It is said to be the third quickest office to grant patents after China and South Korea.

Going further, the Government issued Decree 1873 of September 29, 2014, in order to compensate in the event of a possible unjustified delay in the patent application process. However, the said compensation “does not apply to inventions on pharmaceutical products”.

Compensation is fixed as follows: for each day of ‘unreasonable delay’ in processing the patent, an additional day will be granted, counted from the last day of validity of the patent. That is, the compensation is 1 day of delay for 1 day of additional protection.

patent-approved-stampAccording to the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, an ‘unreasonable delay’ in the granting of the patent is existent when the decision is issued in a longer time than 5 years from the filing of the application or, 3 years from when the examination of the application was requested. It is also noted that the “issuing of the decree is not only a commitment of the Government to be more efficient and give a boost to innovation, but also corresponds to commitments with countries that have signed trade agreements with Colombia.”

SIC’s inspector Mr Robledo said the “Decree constitutes an additional guarantee of protection to inventors, both domestic and foreign."

Source SIC.
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Wednesday 1 October 2014

Gilberto Macias (@gmaciasb)

2014 Top 50 Latin American Brands – Cerveza Corona la marca más valiosa

Millward Brown ha hecho público su informe BRANDZ – 2014 Top Latin American Brands, el cual nuevamente es encabezado por la marca mexicana de cerveza ‘Corona’, la cual tiene un valor de 8.025 millones de dólares (USD).

La segunda marca de la región fue la cerveza brasileña Skol, que alcanzó un valor de 7.055 millones de dólares. El tercer puesto quedó en manos del retailer chileno Falabella, con un valor de 6.084 millones de dólares.

Respecto del ranking de BrandZ de 2013, Corona mantuvo la posición, pero Skol y Falabella registraron mejoras. Skol se había ubicado tercera y Falabella, quinta. 

El top 50 concentra un valor de 129.200 millones de dólares, un 5 por ciento por debajo del ranking de 2013. Si se suma el valor de todas las marcas que lo componen, el portafolio significa el tercer valor del BrandZ Top 100 de las marcas globales más valiosas, justo debajo de Google y Apple.

El top 10 de las marcas latinoamericanas más valiosas de 2014 se completa con:

- Telcel (México) con 5.308 millones de USD 
- Bradesco (Brasil) 4.117
- Sodimac (Chile) 4.107
- Televisa (México) 3.625
- Brahma (Brasil) 3.585
- Águila (Colombia) 3.565
- Modelo (México) 3.467

Más información aquí.

El ranking completo de las Top 50 marcas puede consultarse aquí.

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Patricia Covarrubia

Brazil: Monsanto's change of luck

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The Court of Appeal of Rio Grande do Sul (TJ-RS) has decided on Sept 24th that the multinational Monsanto has the right to charge royalties regarding the transgenic soy-bean from Brazilian farmers.

The decision, rendered in a split decision by the 3 member panel from the 5th Chamber of the Court of Appeal, reversed the first instance decision granted in 2012 that had considered inadequate any payment or indemnification based on the use by farmers of the soy-bean seed "Roundup Ready (RR)".
The opinion of the Reporter Judge is that the application of the Brazilian Plant Variety Law (Law 9456/1997), as demanded by the claimants, is not possible. Thus, being the Brazilian Patent Law (Law 9279/1996) applicable, Monsanto has the right to claim royalties regarding the reproduction of patented seeds through planting and harvesting while the patent (PI 110008-2) is valid.

monsanto-roundupIn 2009, some rural workers' unions from southern regions in Brazil filed a class action arguing that Monsanto’s charge for royalties is effectively an unjust tax based on abuse of IP rights. Furthermore, that Art. 10 of the Plant Variety Law allows them to multiply seeds, for donation or exchange in dealings. In 2012, the 15th Civil Court of Rio Grande do Sul had accepted the claimant’s claims and also ordered Monsanto to return the royalties paid from the 2003/2004 harvest.

The Court of Appeal’s decision is not yet final and an appeal to the superior courts is still possible.

MONSANTO’S CHANGE OF LUCK
Monsanto’s luck in Brazilian courts has not been the best in recent years.
As IP TANGO have already mentioned before, in 2013 the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice (STJ) denied Monsanto’s claims to extend the term of the patent for genetically modified soy-beans, confirming that the patent expired on August 31, 2010.

Also in 2013, the Judge Alex Nunes de Figueiredo, from the Specialized Court in Class Actions and Collective Actions of Cuiabá, has issued a decision preventing Monsanto from charging royalties based on its new Intacta-RR2-PRO product in the state of Mato Grosso. This decision was based on the Art. 10 of the Plant Variety Law and Consumer Protection Laws. After losing this case, Monsanto suspended temporarily the collection of royalties on both its Roundup Read (RR) soy-bean seeds and the Bollgard 1 cotton seed

WHAT’S MORE?
It is hard to determine now if this decision shall impact the decision on an appeal against the lawsuit in the State of Mato Grosso. However, this decision might discourage other producers from pursuing similar claims. The first instance decisions in Rio Grande do Sul and Mato Grosso also seems to have encouraged neighbour countries such as Paraguay to complain about Monsanto’s charging practices (for more see Filomeno, F. A. (2014) Monsanto and intellectual property in South America) and this decision might alter this scenario.

Brazil is currently the largest soy-bean producers in the world. Brazil is also the second largest producer of transgenic soy-bean, just after the U.S. Therefore, we can expect this discussion to continue for a while.

Post written by Roberto Carapeto (Brazilian attorney).
The full sentence can be accessed here (in Portuguese); for short details brought by the court, here (in Portuguese)
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Tuesday 30 September 2014

Rodrigo Ramirez Herrera @ramahr

Chile: Legalidad de la regulación por Circular del procedimiento de recepción de pruebas en solicitudes de marcas

Al año se presentan en Chile 30.000 solicitudes de registro de marca nueva, 4.000 de las cuales reciben una demanda de oposición. En igual período se ingresan 150 demandas de nulidad ante el INAPI. En estos juicios marcarios las partes pueden aportar medios de prueba para demostrar sus pretensiones sin perjuicio que en la tramitación no contenciosa los interesados puedan acompañar pruebas para bondad de sus solicitudes.

En este contexto probatorio las partes acompañan al INAPI especies y objetos tales como llaveros, prendas de vestir, ejemplares de productos que contienen líquidos, caramelos, chocolates, artículos de joyería, entre otros. Este tipo de pruebas requieren contratar bodegaje externo para almacenarlas para evitar el riesgo de pérdida, extravío, detrimento, corrupción o deterioro en su proceso de traslado y conservación. Por esta razón (según se expone en los considerandos previos) el INAPI dictó una resolución administrativa (Circular Nº 3 vigente desde 4.9.2014) para reglamentar la forma de acompañar estos medios de prueba al expediente. 

Como cuestión previa debe considerarse que el INAPI como servicio público está regulado conforme los arts. 6 y 7 de la Constitución especialmente por la ley 20.254 (que establece sus fines y atribuciones). Su Director Nacional (art. 4) tiene facultades normativas otorgadas en los siguientes términos por la norma de competencia: "(f) Dictar resoluciones administrativas que se refieran a los derechos de propiedad industrial, aquellas que se refieran al funcionamiento interno del instituto...". Y según reza el título de la resolución ("Informa procedimiento interno...") se habría dictado la norma en base a esta última atribución legal específica en conjunto con normas generales procesales (art. 12 L. 19.039 y 1 y 3 CPC), de buen funcionamiento administrativo (L. 19.880) y por evidentes razones prácticas.

No obstante, del tenor de la Circular aparece que los efectos o consecuencias normativas no sólo son internas (en el sentido de regular únicamente la organización interior del ente público) sino también externas, pues regula algunas conductas obligatorias de los particulares en su relación con el INAPI con afectación de derechos procesales. Se trata, en definitiva, de normas reglamentarias, que bien pueden ser materia de la facultad del literal (e) del art. 4: "Proponer al Ministerio [...] las iniciativas legales y reglamentarias referentes a la propiedad industrial". 

Por ahora, a la espera de la reforma del sistema, las materias reguladas por esta vía administrativa son, en síntesis, las siguientes:

Certificación fotográfica de los objetos acompañados. El procedimiento consiste básicamente en que si se solicita tener por acompañado un objeto, debe ser fotografiado al momento de la recepción del escrito. La fotografía se imprimirá y se certificará por la secretaria abogado el hecho que representa fielmente el objeto que se pidió acompañar, mediante determinado escrito y que se tuvo a la vista. 

Las impresiones de estas fotografías se adjuntarán al escrito en que se enuncia la respectiva prueba, para seguir su curso de digitalización y procesamiento normal. Esta fotografía, será digitalizada conjuntamente con el escrito y pasará a formar parte del expediente almacenado en los bancos de datos de INAPI. La especie será devuelta al interesado en el mismo acto. Si el interesado insistiere en entregar la especie como prueba, podrá hacerlo, pero en ese caso deberá firmar una declaración liberando a INAPI de la responsabilidad por eventuales pérdidas, extravíos, detrimento, corrupción o deterioro de ésta en el proceso de traslado y almacenamiento de las mismas.

INAPI conservará e integrará dentro del expediente las fotografías de los productos y si lo estima necesario podrá acceder a ordenar la exhibición de la prueba original -especie(s)- en caso que algunas de las partes así lo solicite, por motivos fundados.

Deber de acompañar materialmente, individualizar completa, correcta y ordenadamente las pruebas que se soliciten tener por acompañadas. Establece la obligación de toda persona que acompañe documentos o pruebas ante INAPI de individualizarlas en forma correcta, completa y además adjuntarlas materialmente según el orden de prelación consignado en el escrito en que se individualizan.

En caso contrario se ordenará la subsanación -conforme lo mandatado por la Circular- dentro de un plazo, pudiendo tenerse los documentos ofrecidos por no presentados a través de la dictación de la correspondiente resolución.

Formalidades para solicitar tener a la vista pruebas ya acompañadas materialmente ante INAPI en otro expediente.   Sólo se accederá  si el interesado individualiza con los siguientes datos: 1.- Cada uno de los antecedentes que se solicita tener a la vista; 2.- El expediente en que se acompañaron materialmente; 3.- La fecha del escrito que los acompañó; y 4.- La fecha de la resolución que los tuvo por acompañados. En caso contrario se ordenará la subsanación dentro de un plazo, pudiendo tenerse los documentos ofrecidos por no presentados a través de la dictación de la correspondiente resolución.

Formalidades para solicitar tener por acompañadas pruebas ya acompañadas materialmente ante INAPI en otro expediente. Distingue entre las pruebas que estando en poder de INAPI son solicitadas tener a la vista en un nuevo asunto, y aquellas pruebas que estando en poder de INAPI son solicitadas se tengan por acompañadas en un nuevo asunto. INAPI no accederá a la petición de que se tengan por acompañados documentos que ya estén en su poder dentro de otro expediente, sin que se acompañen materialmente copias de los mismos por el interesado al juicio o procedimiento en que se desean hacer valer. Sí se accederá, sin necesidad de que se acompañen copias, a la petición de tenerlos a la vista, siempre que se cumpla con los requisitos individualizados en el párrafo anterior.

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Patricia Covarrubia

Bolivia is Royal [at least, one of its products]

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Royal QuinoaAt the end of August 2014, Bolivia achieved the recognition of ‘Quinoa Real’ (Quinoa Royal) as Denomination of Origin (DO) in the Andean Community (CAN). This means that the DO is also recognized by the other Andean Community Nations i.e. Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.


In 2013 Bolivia celebrated the ‘International Year of Quinoa’ -- declared as such by the United Nations in recognition of Andean indigenous peoples. There are several types of Quinoa (grain crops) which are produced in other Andean countries, but with this recognition, there will be only one ‘Quinoa Real’ and this is the one produced 100% in the Bolivian territory.

According to Decision 486, which is CAN communal regime in Intellectual Property, there are two types of Geographical Indication: DO and Indication of Source. Apart from this, there are certain issues regarding GI that are not common in other jurisdictions such as : such denominations are said to be “... a public good, it belongs inalienably and imprescriptibly to the nation or regional community, as the case may be, and its protection is usually the responsibility of the public authorities or the State...it is considered part of the national heritage, and ultimately under State control" [See 'Some Notes on the Protection of Appellation of Origin in Countries with Emerging Economies: The Andean Community, Symposium on the International Protection of Geographical Indication]. The other one issue is that GIs receive stricter protection like the one received by wines and spirits under TRIPS.

CAN has acknowledged DO to PISCO from Peru and now this is the time for another CAN country to have such a prestige. One might question why there have not been many applications (not even nationally). The consideration could start with the fact that many of the products that may be recognized are either agricultural products or artisan and most of them come from traditional knowledge. That said, the community that have produced the good would need to ask permission to the State to use a name that they believe is theirs in the first place (as in the case of CHIRIMOYA CUMBE, Memoria 1992-1999 INDECOPI, Lima, Perú.) Of course the analysis could also covers other matters such as: bureaucratic process and the lack of monetary resources, to name a few.

The next step: the Bolivian Ministry of Rural Development announced that the next challenge is to apply for a DO in the European Union.

Source La Razon , Bolivian newspaper (in Spanish)
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