Patent Cooperation Treaty in Uruguay
By Pittaluga Abogados
Uruguayan Congress is discussing the country's accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), after the Uruguayan government, led by President Luis Lacalle Pou, submitted a bill.
The initiative reflects a governments's strategy to try to expand the country's presence in international markets. Joining the PCT is seen by the government as an important step towards the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a top priority for Uruguay.
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is an international instrument that looks to economize the global patent application process. The treaty allows applicants to file a single application for protection in multiple countries.
Not all countries in Latin America have joined the PCT. Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela are not yet part of the system.