IP litigation will increase in the next years

By Portal & Asociados

During the course of her career, Edy Portal has helped national and international corporations and outside counsel with all facets of their IP interests in El Salvador and Central America. She is the Salvadoran correspondent for INTA's The Trademark Reporter and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the Salvadorean Association of Intellectual Property (ASPI).

What are the goals of your firm in the short and long term?

The goals of our firm in short term is to continue developing our Intellectual Property Litigation and Anti-Counterfeiting Department. The goals of our firm in the long term is to open new areas of practice locally and regionally.

How is your country positioned worldwide from a law standpoint?

Over the past few years, judges have become more educated on trademark matters and IP litigation has changed because we now have oral hearings. As a consequence trademark infringement and unfair competition cases are now resolved more quickly and effectively than a couple of years ago.

How much has technology changed the profession?

Technology has become very important in our profession. We have more sophisticated ways of communicating with clients, and better trademark and patent prosecution systems. In our firm we have a new system to handle trademark and patent prosecution and litigation.

It´s easier to work with foreign clients and markets?

Yes, technology has definitely eased contact with clients. All communications are now electronic.. Some clients even use Skype or Whatsapp when it is urgent to reach us.

Patents, domain, Internet piracy and other issues have increased IP influence areas. Does that generate an increasing specialization in the firms and the professionals?

Yes, we have to follow technology and update our education and knowledge of new issues all the time.

Will IP be one of the top Law branches in nearby future?

Definitely, but I do think IP litigation will increase in the next few years.