To contribute to the strengthening and modernisation of IP practices, the general secretariat of the Andean Community has introduced the TMview platform, which provides information on the trademarks registered in each of the member countries of the community. The tool was developed with the support of the EU Intellectual Property Office, through its IP Key Latin America Project.
The initiative obeys the provisions of article 270 of Andean Community Decision 486: the need to have a computer system that enables the interconnection of the databases of all of the national IP offices of the countries that make up the Andean Community. The authorities hope to put in place safer processes and provide better protection to investors and entrepreneurs who, in many cases, have to deal with the fact that their brand has been registered, by a third party and in the same category, in a neighbouring country by appealing to the principle of territoriality.
Some member countries have already made all information relating to their trademark registration processes available. Others are expected to do so shortly.
For further information on this topic please contact Oscar Mago at OMC Abogados & Consultores by telephone (+511 502 6467) or email ([email protected]). The OMC Abogados & Consultores website can be accessed at omcabogados.com.pe.