Latest Initiative in Paraguays Trademark Protection: the INPI

By Luis Carísimo

The INPI will adjudge more hierarchy to the intellectual property in our country. This Institute will replace the actual “Industrial Property Office”, which is dependant of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and will be an autonomous entity with its own legal status and patrimony. Furthermore, all budget matters assigned to the National Directorate of Copyright will be transferred to the Intellectual Property National Institute for its management. The Institute will also function for the application of legal standards for the protection of intellectual property rights in all its manifestations.

This entity will be headed by a chairman appointed by the Executive from a list proposed by the Ministry of Industry and

Commerce. The Chairman shall appoint the General Directors, who will be in charge of the following two General Directorships, according to the new restructuring of the Trademark Office:

1. Industrial Property General Directorship: shall include the Trademark Directorship and the Industrial Designs and Models and Patent Directorship.
2. Copyright and Related Rights Directorship: shall include the Collective Management Societies and the Registration Directorship.
The INPI will have its nexus with the Executive Power through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, but will not be dependent of the latter.