Paraguay and the U.S. address IP concerns

By BKM | Berkemeyer

Paraguay's IP national director, Joel Talavera, and the general director of Observance, Fernando Garcete, received the Deputy Political and Economic Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay, Logan Wheeler.

Wheeler expressed the interest of the Ggovernment of the United States to learn about the policies plans progresses that the government of Paraguay has on issued resltaed to the enforcement of Intellectual Property rights. He specfically mentioned the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Special 301 Report, which annually identifies U.S. trading partners that do not adequately or effectively protect and enforce intellectual property rights or otherwise deny market access to U.S. innovators and creators that rely on protection of their IP rights. The report calls on U.S. trading partners to address IP-related challenges with a special focus on the countries identified on the Watch List and Priority Watch List.

Talavera informed that since his assumption at the head of Paraguay's IP Office (Dinapi) the country has reinitiated activities against piracy and counterfeiting, establishing urgent measures for the due protection of Intellectual Property rights. Among othe actions, funds have been earmarked for the strengthening of enforcement with the acquisition of three utility vehicles that facilitate the investigation and repression of illicit activities.

The United States is currently engaging bilaterally with Paraguay to address concerns resulting from the geographical indications provisions in existing European Union trade agreements, agreements under negotiation, and other initiatives, which goals than include ensuring that the grant of GI protection does not violate prior rights (for example, in cases in which a U.S. company has a trademark that includes a place name).