Newsletter - Latin America IP SME Helpdesk

The European Patent Office (EPO) is advocating for the patent validation system in Central America and the Caribbean. This system enables applicants to extend protection for their inventions to countries in these regions via a single European patent application. Consequently, innovators are spared the need to submit separate national applications, leading to a simplified process and reduced costs.

CarIPI recently published a new manual on geographical indications (GI) which outlines the necessary steps, requirements and outcomes associated with GI protection in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Colombia's Ministry of Health and Social Protection is moving forward with the adoption of a compulsory license for the patented compound dolutegravir, which reduces the amount of HIV in the blood and strengthens the immune system.

The Court of Appeals of the INDECOPI of Peru has issued a decision regarding the validity period of a trademark's well-known status. According to the ruling, there is no need to prove notoriety if the time between when the trademark was recognised as well-known and when the rights are sought to be exercised is equal to or less than 5 years.

The Latin America IP Helpdesk, in collaboration with the Camara do Comercio do Centro, presents a workshop on the protection of intellectual property rights, with the aim of providing valuable insights and practical strategies for individuals and companies interested in protecting their intellectual creations. Covering various hands-on information, the workshop will be conducted in Portuguese.

This exclusive in-person event will be showcasing many of Europe’s startups and coming together to learn from some of the most successful European entrepreneurs of our time. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk will attend the summit and meet with startups from EU and Single Market Programme (SMP) countries, interested or active in the Latin American market.