On joining the World Trade Organisation in 1995, Costa Rica adopted several international obligations regarding IP matters. In particular, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of IP Rights (TRIPs) set forth minimum standards of protection, enforcement and dispute settlement of IP rights, bringing the country’s domestic procedures and remedies into line with international standards.
As a result of the enforcement of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, Costa Rica acceded to a number of obligations that resulted in the modification of its IP laws; consequently, the legal system was further strengthened to comply with international standards. Currently, there is a well-defined and harmonised legal system in place, with a broad understanding of rights holders’ requirements.

The legal instruments most relevant to IP rights are as follows:
• TRIPs;
• the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement;
• the Paris Convention;
• the Rome Convention;
• the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants;
• the Trademark Law Treaty;
• the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure;
• the World Intellectual Property (WIPO) Copyright Treaty;
• the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty;
• the Patent Cooperation Treaty;
• the Berne Convention;
• the Lisbon Agreement;
• the Trademark Law (7978);
• the Patent Law (6867);
• the Copyright Law (6683);
• the Law on Enforcement Proceedings of IP Rights (8039);
• the Undisclosed Information Law (7975); and
• the Public Spectacles, Audiovisual and Printed Materials Law (7440).

Border measures
Article 16 of the Law on Enforcement Proceedings of IP Rights states that Customs may act ex officio when it suspects that an IP right is being infringed; it may detain and suspend the release of suspected counterfeit merchandise. However, Customs lacks a proper identification system by which to determine whether a product is counterfeit. Therefore, it is forced to seek advice from the rights holder’s legal representatives. The main problem lies in contacting the legal representatives during the 10-day deadline that Customs has to detain merchandise; if Customs fails to contact the representative or if the representative fails to review the merchandise in order to determine whether it is counterfeit, Customs is forced to release the goods.
There is a significant lack of technical knowledge within Customs in regard to violations of IP rights.
There exists no official database of trademark owners; however, Customs does have an unofficial record of trademark owners, and there have been numerous attempts to establish a voluntary recordal of rights holders.

Criminal prosecution
In accordance with Article 61 of TRIPs, one of the main features of the Law on Enforcement Proceedings of IP Rights is a series of provisions to safeguard rights derived from trademarks, copyrights and layout designs of integrated circuits (Articles 44 and following). Such crimes are punished by way of imprisonment or a fine.
In the past, the infringement of IP rights held little importance for the Costa Rican authorities. This was partly due to economic and cultural issues, but primarily related to a lack of political will. Until recently, the prosecution of IP crimes was left to prosecutorial discretion, since such crimes were considered to cause little harm.
However, with the various commitments made via the enforcement of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, Costa Rica’s inclusion on the Priority Watchlist of the Special 301 Report, prepared by the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the changing attitude of the Attorney General’s Office, prosecutorial discretion with regard to this type of crime is slowly disappearing. That said, there are still serious budgetary constraints hindering the implementation of a model prosecution system. There remains a need to assign higher priority and allocate greater resources to the fight against piracy and counterfeiting, as well as the necessity of seeking deterrent penalties.

Civil enforcement
Rights holders can take action to enforce their rights in civil courts. Section I, Chapter IV of the Law on Enforcement Proceedings of IP Rights lays down the rules related to civil procedures. This law refers to the Civil Procedure Code for the application of precautionary measures and the procedure established in the abbreviated system.
Cases of unfair competition are resolved through summary proceedings pursuant to Article 17 of the Consumer Protection Law, which refers to Article 432 of the Civil Procedure Code.
In both procedures, there exists a procedural opportunity where a party can submit further proof; however, it is left to the judge’s discretion whether to take this into account. Additionally, a party can file an incidental proceeding of new facts that did not exist at the time that the lawsuit was filed.
It is always possible to settle before or during the litigation process. The agreement must be homologated by the court.
Notwithstanding the above, the fight against judicial delays is far from over, which severely compromises the effectiveness of such actions.

Anti-counterfeiting online
Unauthorised e-commerce
There are no specific legal instruments to promote online anti-counterfeiting practices. Furthermore, the use of technology to monitor the Internet and identify online sales, locate sellers and supply chains and identify the source jurisdiction of merchandise is not a common practice among local authorities.
As mentioned, the Law on Enforcement Proceedings of IP Rights establishes civil and criminal mechanisms to defend IP rights. In this regard, civil mechanisms entail filing proceedings for trademark infringement and/or unfair competition. Criminal offences include trademark counterfeiting and selling, storing or distributing counterfeit products. For criminal offences, it is possible to request remedies, such as restitution, seizure of goods, destruction and imprisonment.

Internet security
At present, the only legal sources related to this matter are the Regulations for Limiting the Liability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for Breaches of Copyright and Related Rights (Official Decree 36880). These set forth the responsibility of ISPs.

Online investigation strategies
As stated, the use of technology to monitor the Internet and identify online sales, locate sellers and supply chains and identify the source jurisdiction of merchandise is not a common practice among local authorities.

ISP liability
The regulations set forth the responsibility of internet service providers (ISPs), and establish that once an ISP becomes aware of illegal consumer activity, or should have become aware of the activity with reasonable diligence, the ISP will be liable for the consumer’s actions.

Preventive measures/strategies
Use of local counsel and investigators
The Law on Enforcement Proceedings of IP Rights provides the opportunity to obtain government assistance in the fight against piracy and counterfeiting. The law punishes all conduct which confuses consumers about the origin, quantity, quality or nature of a registered product.
The law also states that the owner of an IP right or its representatives may request the courts to order Customs to suspend the release of merchandise that it believes infringes its rights.
Furthermore, Article 16 of the law states that Customs may act ex officio when it suspects that an IP right is being infringed – it may detain and suspend the release of suspected counterfeit merchandise.
In addition, Article 5 provides for precautionary measures, including:

• immediate cessation of the acts that constitute the infraction;
• confiscation of the illegal or counterfeit merchandise;
• detention of the merchandise by Customs; and
• the guarantee of a deposit by the counterfeiter.

Contractual relationships with third parties
Costa Rican legislation makes no reference to the control of contractual relationships with third parties. It states only that rights holders may initiate precautionary measures, border measures, administrative procedures and civil and criminal procedures against any counterfeiter.
Article 27 of the Trademark Law states that a trademark registration does not allow the rights holder to prohibit third parties from using its trademark on products that have been legitimately introduced onto the local market.
Distribution and manufacturing contracts are regulated by civil law; therefore, both parties may agree on the terms of such contracts. In most cases, such contracts are not exclusive; therefore, there are no preventive measures or strategies that may be taken to prevent counterfeit merchandise entering onto the market.

Effective use of technology
The government does not own the technology to identify counterfeit merchandise. As mentioned, Customs must contact the rights holder’s legal representatives in order to determine whether products are counterfeit.

Cooperation with national anti-counterfeiting agencies
Although there is institutional awareness that changes must be made quickly and efficiently, to date efforts have been insufficient. Seminars and workshops are being conducted to raise awareness among officials and the community in general concerning the importance of protecting IP rights. An Inter-Institutional Liaison Committee for the Protection of Intellectual Property comprised of national public institutions has been established to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing regime. Nevertheless, greater efforts are required.
In 2010 Costa Rica established a fiscal control policy to investigate all merchandise that enters and exists Costa Rica. It is this body that alerts rights holders or their representatives of possible counterfeit products.

Las obtenciones vegetales comparten ciertos rasgos con las patentes, ya que ambos otorgan un derecho exclusivo de explotación. Sin embargo, también comparte la característica de que el obtentor controle y otorgue el derecho a la reproducción de terceros, tal y como sucede con los Derechos de Autor.

Para proteger una variedad vegetal es necesario que ésta sea distinta, es decir, que sea diferente a todas las otras conocidas, en una o más características botánicas, tales como altura, madurez, color, etc.

Las variedades de plantas han impulsado en muchas partes del mundo el progreso de la productividad agrícola, de ahí su importancia y la necesidad de protección. Además, el aumento del rendimiento, la resistencia a plagas y la calidad, son factores claves no sólo para una mayor productividad sino para producir un menor impacto ambiental.

Es evidente que la biología como ciencia aplicada está actualmente en un proceso creciente de industrialización, y gran parte de ese impacto se ve reflejado en la agricultura.

Ante este impacto, los países que protegen este derecho obtienen gran cantidad de ventajas como:

-       Mejoramiento de la productividad agrícola.

-        Empleo rural y el desarrollo económico.

-       Autofinanciamiento de la investigación estatal.

-       Acceso a variedades extrajeras de gran valor productivo.

-       Ingreso en el comercio mundial de semillas.

-       Ingreso de capital privado en la investigación y desarrollo de nuevas variedades.

De este modo, el establecimiento de un sistema que garantice el derecho de comercialización en exclusiva de una nueva variedad es el incentivo necesario para promover la inversión en el sector.

Fuente: OMPI.

To that end, every registration of geographical indications and appellations of origin must now meet the following requirements:

a)       When filing the enrollment application, it is necessary that the Regulatory Board members have already been designated, since they will be the ones responsible for the use of the sign.

b)       In order for the Trademark Office to validate the actions of the representative of the Regulatory Board, the Board must be constituted according to a valid figure under the current Costa Rican law, which enables the person with the necessary legal standing to act.

c)       The person who personally appears before the Trademark Office as the representative of the Regulatory Board, must demonstrate their legal standing with a suitable document and must be duly empowered for this act.

Though the EFTA Agreement is still pending ratification by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, the Trademark Office is making changes in an effort to be prepared for the expected increase in the registrations of geographical indications and appellations of origin.

However not all countries have this clear cut division. In the case of Costa Rica, article 4 of the Trademark Law, Law No. 7978, contemplates both systems. According to this article, “[…]  the person who is using it in good faith in commerce, from the earliest day shall have the preferential right to obtain registration, as long as the use has lasted more than three months […]”. Further on it goes on stating that “[…] when a trademark has been used or it has been used less than three months, registration will be granted to the person who applies for the trademark first…[…]”.

Similarly, article 17 of the cited Law, allows the opposition based on a non-registered trademark by affirming “[…] an opposition based on prior use of the trademark shall be declared inadmissible, if the opponent does not accredit having petitioned […]”.

Also, you have article 44 and subsequent, which refer to notorious trademarks wherein registration is not required to enforce the holder´s rights.

Case Law has established that Costa Rica follows the attributive system for acquiring trademark rights respecting prior use in the situations or hypothesis restrictively set forth in articles 4, 17 and 44 of Law 7978. (Decision number 347-2006 of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Petition to renew the trademark “Loro Piana Design”).  Having the legal system to regulate the social relationships arising from the demonization of trademarks, naturally it had to deal with the relationships generated from registered and unregistered trademarks.

In the case of prior use as set out in article 4, it is also worth highlighting that case law has stated that the holder must be able to demonstrate its use in our jurisdiction or its evident notoriety, otherwise the petition will be dismissed.

Nuestra firma está nominada en la categoría de Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year- Costa Rica, de los premios “Finance Monthly Law Awards 2013” que realiza la prestigiosa revista Finance Monthly.

El galardón reconoce a las firmas de abogados y profesionales del derecho más talentosos e innovadores, que han superado en rendimiento a sus pares durante el último año.

Para elaborar la lista de nominados, la revista realiza una investigación que centra el análisis en la retroalimentación del cliente, datos del mercado, informes de prensa, entre otros parámetros de calidad.

La lista está compuesta por más de 50 categorías jurídicas fundamentales, y los nominados son divididos por países, así que la selección es minuciosa y representa a los mejores por área.

Es un honor formar parte de la lista de nominados en representación de Costa Rica, y evidenciar el trabajo serio, comprometido y de calidad que realizamos.

Sobre Finance Monthly: Es una respetada revista financiera que se distribuye en formato impreso y digital cada mes; tiene alcance en América del Norte y del Sur, Europa, y las economías emergentes de Asia.  Su publicación de los “Law Awards” es la  más importante del año  y llega a más de 100.000 profesionales del mundo del derecho y las finanzas.

Además de los criterios de selección evaluados por el jurado designado, el público puede participar en la elección del ganador, votando en línea desde la página: http://www.finance-monthly.com/Awards/Law-Awards/Vote-Now

Fuente: FinanceMonthly.com

Costa Rica’s Government, officials and key private sector players have been working on a branding strategy to create the nation’s brand. To achieve so, the Trade Promoter´s Office (PROCOMER) hired FutureBrand, and formed a multidisciplinary team to create a national brand strategy. Government Officials who make up the country Brand Committee include representatives from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of Foreign Trade, Costa Rican Institute of Tourism the Secretary of Culture and the Costa Rican Promotion Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE).

According to the Trade Promoter´s Office (PROCOMER) the nation’s brand will encourage innovation, diversification and differentiation in national exports which will in return increase sales in international markets in a time of economic uncertainty. Consequently, Costa Rican exporters’ will now benefit from the nation’s brand by distinguishing the country and its products and services from others. The Chamber of Exporters (CADEXCO) alleges that export companies will have to comply with a series of standards, if infringed they shall not receive the license of use for the nation’s brand.

The project’s aim is to place the high-tech industry and clean technologies such as chips, electronics, software, digital animation, web development, and to also allow companies to promote and support the agricultural sector to increase the value of their products. The biggest challenge is to maintain the perception of the country as a favorable place to live and do business, and to place the country in top levels of investment.

Costa Rica is one of the countries that follow the international exhaustion of rights principle, consequently parallel importations are allowed.

Article 6 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) states that: “For the purposes of dispute settlement under this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 nothing in this Agreement shall be used to address the issue of the exhaustion of intellectual property rights.”

Article 27 of the Trademarks and other Distinctive Signs Act (Law No. 7978) states that the: “The trademark registration does not confer on its proprietor the right to prohibit a third party from using the mark, on any legitimately marked products introduced into commerce in the country or abroad, the owner or other person having the consent of the owner, provided that such products and containers which are in immediate contact with them have not undergone any modification, alteration or damage and to avoid harmful interference to the owner or person entitled.”

Similarly, Article 16, subsection 2 of the Law of Patents, Drawings, Industrial Designs and Utility Models, states that: “Whenever the following exceptions do not unreasonably conflict with normal exploitation of the patent and do not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the owner or his licensee, the rights conferred by the patent shall not extend to: […] d) Acts of sale, offering for sale, use, enjoyment, importing, or any mode of commercializing a product covered by the patent or obtained by the patented process, once it has been put on the market in any country, with the consent of the owner or license.”

Notwithstanding the above, Article 48 of the Regulation on Registration, Control, Import and Drug Advertising (Regulation N. 28466-S) states: “The Ministry of Health will allow parallel importation of patented pharmaceutical products in order to improve accessibility. The pharmaceutical product imported under this scheme must be the same in terms of origin, quali-quantitative formula, manufacturing laboratory, presentation, packaging and labeling of the primary pharmaceutical product already registered with the Ministry.”

As a consequence, this form of importation of pharmaceuticals is only viable if the product has a valid patent in Costa Rica, and has a sanitary registration up to date. Currently, only two pharmaceutical products hold a valid patent in Costa Rica.

Supported in the fact that the TRIPS Agreement also states that Members shall be free to determine the appropriate method of implementing the provisions of the Agreement within their own legal system and practice, is that Costa Rica only allows the parallel importation of drugs with a valid patent in the country in an effort to control public health and guarantee sanitary control. Currently, the Health Authority is trying to minimize and eliminate medical forgery due to illegitimate medicine trade between countries like Nicaragua and Colombia. Also, Health Authority is coordinating with INTERPOL to fight counterfeit drugs.

Sin embargo, no se trata de proteger con la única y simple finalidad de proteger, sino que esto debe significar una herramienta eficaz para la comercialización en el mercado.

Por ello, debe tenerse en cuenta que la protección que confieren los diferentes títulos de propiedad intelectual es territorial, de manera que si se pretende algún posicionamiento internacional es necesario proteger los derechos de autor en cada país donde se llegue.

Es importante trazar una estrategia de protección coherente con la estrategia que se pretende desarrollar tanto a nivel nacional como internacional. Así se podrá gozar de derechos de exclusiva en aquellos países donde la empresa commercialize y donde se pretendan dar licencias a terceros.

Finalmente, en casos donde quien explote los activos no sea la propia empresa será necesario determinar contratos de licencia, cesión u otros, para fijar el alcance y el contenido.

Fuente: www.mipatente.com

Sin embargo, debe quedar claro que cualquier obra literaria o creativa se encuentra bajo la protección de las leyes de Propiedad Intelectual, y esto incluye los textos, imágenes, fotografías y hasta diseño gráfico de cualquier página web.

Cada vez es más común que textos e imágenes publicadas en blogs, páginas web, espacios de comercio electrónico y muchos otros sitios sean plagiados y re-publicados por terceros sin dar crédito alguno.

Ante esto, desde el  año 2001 las licencias Creative Commons aparecieron con el objetivo de fomentar la distribución de la información y cultura dentro de Internet, para respetar los derechos básicos de los autores.

Y aunque se establece que los autores pueden renunciar de forma voluntaria a la remuneración por copia, autorizar la libre distribución o incluso permitir que un tercero reciba beneficio económico de su obra, nunca existe una renuncia a la autoría original.

Por otro lado, también es importante rescatar que el Convenio de Berna para la Protección de las Obras Literarias y Artísticas, firmado por más de 160 países, es quien rige la legislación internacional en esta materia. Por lo que, sus potestades se extienden a situaciones actuales y futuras, incluyendo por supuesto Internet.

Fuente: www.asturi.as.com