Peru's national IP institution influencing the national economy.

From Peru we received news that the Peruvian National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) was voted as a “modern, predictable and non- bureaucratic institution”. The results were the outcome of the Eleventh Annual Survey of CEOs made by Peru Ipsos and published by the journal Semana Economica.

The survey
Data comes from CEOs’ major companies in the country. The data reveals that INDECOPI ‘is one of the most effective public institutions in the defence of free competition’. Added to this, it reveals that when compared with other public institutions, INDECOPI has reached a level of ‘important institution’ since its “particularity is that it directly influences the private sector and the national economy.”

INDECOPI’s view
“Indeed, Indecopi contributes to the country's competitiveness, strengthening the consumer in defending their rights, controlling the market to fair competition to develop and promote the tools of intellectual property.”

HI HO HI HO! working together...contributing and controlling the market.

INDECOPI’s aim on IP
• To strengthen the use of the patent system in the country. In this regards INDECOPI celebrated the first Annual National Convention of Patents and Inventions (CNAPI) which a space that “seeks to promote the meeting of inventors in the framework of the activities of innovation and development for the country.”
• To strengthen the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) of indigenous peoples in regards to biodiversity. It is reported that since 2006, INDECOPI has granted 2,994 titles of TK in food, medicine, vegetable dyes, among others.

Tools used:
• Launched Servicio de Plataforma de Asesoría Gratuita de marcas y patentes (Platform Service free advice for patent and trade mark) promoting and increasing the use of the IP system and contributing to the country’s development and socio-economic growth. It reports that the platform has provided free advice to more than 13,200 entrepreneurs.
• An intense campaign for the benefit of all artists and creators in all its forms providing them various Copyright-Guides.
• A campaign called ‘Legal Software’ for the purpose of promoting, among companies in the country, the use of computer programs accredited by their respective licenses.
• Creating a Copyright- Virtual Registry which authors can use to register in just 24 hours their work quickly and easily.

Other achievements and awards received include ‘Premio de Ciudadanos al Día’ granted for the direct and permanent communication with citizens through social networks, virtual radio and radios in remote areas. It has also be considered as one of the "Best Workplaces in Peru - 2014".

Well done! Building consumer relationships and trustworthy interchange are key to protect and promote intellectual creations.

Source INDECOPI.

Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal promotes two in Argentina

From Phil Cox, Global Law Marketing Director, we received news that Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal promotes two to partner in core practice areas.

On August 1 2013, Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal promoted two senior associates to partner: Martín Chajchir and Enrique Veramendi. These promotions strengthen two of the firm’s core practice areas: intellectual property and administrative/public law. The new partners already have a wealth of experience and are highly specialized in their respective areas of expertise:

• Martín Chajchir’s area of expertise is industrial property, with a strong focus on litigation and anti-counterfeiting. He has vast experience in precautionary measures and court proceedings aimed at stopping IP infringements and obtaining the attachment and seizure of infringing goods. Martín also specializes in litigation of trademark opposition cases and cancellation actions. He handles a range of work related to anti-counterfeiting and enforcement of IP rights, including trademarks, trade names, domain names and industrial models and designs. Martín has taken courses in Patent Law and IP Licensing at Universidad Austral and has participated as speaker in seminars on trademark litigation issues in Argentina.

• Enrique Veramendi is a key member of the firm’s administrative law department, focusing on a wide range of administrative, regulatory and constitutional law matters. His experience is in complex, public law-related litigation at a judicial and administrative level. Recently, Enrique has been advising oil & gas companies on major regulatory reforms introduced by the Government. He has also been providing counsel for leading agribusiness companies on their day-to-day operations and in matters regarding export taxes, customs duties and regulatory measures. Enrique has a Master’s in Administrative Law from Universidad Austral and an LL.M. from New York University Law School, as a Hauser Global Scholar.

Alfredo O’Farrell, chair of Marval, O’Farrell & Mairal’s executive board, commented on the promotions: “This is a very special year for Marval, as the firm is celebrating its ninetieth anniversary. We have reached this milestone as a result of the hard work of an outstanding team and a strategy of sustained growth and development, always looking to the future. We are pleased to welcome to the partnership two excellent lawyers in Martin and Enrique, and strengthen our thriving intellectual property and public law practice groups, thereby ensuring that our clients continue to receive the best possible service. We have continued to build for the future and are now better placed than ever to provide expert advice and services of the highest quality to our clients.”

For further information please contact:

Cecilia Westerdahl

+54 11 4310-0100 ext. 2229/ CMW@marval.com.ar