AsIPI
A BUsY YEAR In
tHE AMERICAs
the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property enjoyed a busy and
productive 2009. fernando triana explains the major developments.
Th e Interamerican Association of Intellectual Th ere has been particular debate over the ASIPI member countries experienced signifi cant
Property (ASIPI) is a non profi t-making private Madrid Protocol, whose main objective is to changes to the intellectual property landscape
association and its main objective is to promote
simplify international trademark registrations
in 2009:
the development and harmonisation of industrial
by reducing costs and agreeing to multi-class
and intellectual property laws and procedures
• On August 30, the Hague Convention came into
applications. Th ere has been intense discussion
in the Americas. Th is includes IP in industry,
force in the Dominican Republic. Since then,
of whether it should be extended to all Latin-
commerce, services, agriculture and livestock.
documentation that previously needed legalising
American countries. It is sometimes unclear who
by Dominican consulates in participating states,
Ever since its foundation in 1964, ASIPI has
really benefi ts from the system. In Colombia’s
now needs just an Apostille certifi cate
included in its meetings organisational, academic
case, the senate has debated the law approving
• Th e National Parliament of Paraguay presented
and social activities, making it possible for
the Madrid Protocol and several other entities
a fi rst draft of a bill establishing the National
members to exchange opinions, experience and
have participated, including the Colombian
Intellectual Property Institute. ASIPI will
knowledge of the daily practice of IP law.
Association of Intellectual Property, the National
attend a public hearing in the parliament’s
Association of Colombian Businessmen, the
2009 was full of challenges for ASIPI and
deputy chamber with other sectors involved to
Association of Pharmaceutical Industries and
its members. It focused on legislative
discuss the issue
the World Intellectual Property Organization
and jurisprudential developments in members’
• Guatemala is in the process of acceding to the
(WIPO). Brazil and Argentina have also been
countries, and the approaches of the international
Treaty on the Law of Trademarks (TLT). Th e
analysing the protocol though, so far, it has not
agencies and local associations working in
treaty is in its study phase in the country’s
been on their congresses’ agendas. Th erefore,
this area.
congress. Concurrently, Guatemala reached
this topic will remain contentious in 2010,
a major milestone when the procedure for
One area that remained constant in ASIPI’s work and ASIPI will continue to discuss it in 2010,
registering an audible brand was upgraded to
last year was the analysis of public policy trends especially since many Latin American countries
include verifi cation of the sounds intended for
at an international level. Th is will undoubtedly
are currently considering acceding to the
registration in computers
continue in the years to come. Its members
Madrid Protocol.
• Panama is conducting preliminary discussions
debated issues such as the possible accession
on a potential free trade agreement with the
of countries to the Madrid Protocol and the
ASIPI’s International Committee has also
European Union, with Italy’s support
Singapore Treaty on Trademark Law, and their
considered the implications and repercussions
potential consequences. Patent Cooperation
of the Singapore Treaty on Trademark Law in
• Peru and Chile joined the PCT on June 9 and
Treaty (PTO) implementation and local offi ce the past year. ASIPI has opened communications
June 2 respectively
restructurings were other discussion topics. with the WIPO on this matter. • Th e Federal Circuit Court of the United States
16 World Intellectual Property Review Digest 2009 www.worldipreview.com
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