Towards procedures simplification in Bolivia

By Wolfgang L. Ohnes, Orpan

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, the Constitutional President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Evo Morales Aima, officially announced the adhesion of Bolivia to the Apostille Convention. The news was spread by several newspapers of national circulation, as well as by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia.

This transcendental decision will simplify the procedures carried out by Bolivians and foreigners before various national organisms, such as the National Intellectual Property Service.

To date all documents for endless applications related to the defense, protection and maintenance of Intellectual Property rights have been subject to the traditional chain of legalizations dictated by the Civil Code and consular legislation, with the respective complexity and high costs it entails.

Official authorities recognize that this new step will facilitate the carrying out of procedures and processes in Bolivia and abroad, although there will necessarily be a phase of congressional ratification during which the laws regulating the application of the Apostille Convention must be approved. Although it may take some time, it is good news for IP professionals.