DR-CAFTA bills to Congress

[NewsWhore]

Hoy newspaper is reporting that Congress has received the last batch of bills that need approval before the country can officially enter the DR-CAFTA agreement. Congress has received a package titled "Bills for Implementation," which included modifications to bills that need to be passed in order for the country to comply with the requirements for entrance into DR-CAFTA. The package was submitted by Vice-president Rafael Alburquerque and includes modifications to the bills on industrial property, and everything relating to the rights of brands and patents. As reported in Diario Libre, the proposals call for changes in Law 20-00, which concerns industrial property (patents and licenses). The package also suggests changes to the Penal Code, article 32, that will allow for prosecution of copyright or patent infringements as either public or private cases. The changes to Law 65-00 on intellectual property (copyrights) will bring it into line with the DR-CAFTA protocols. The General Law on Telecommunications will be modified to allow simultaneous administrative and judicial actions in cases of satellite signals violations. The much-debated Law 173, which covers agents and representatives of foreign companies, will be modified to except companies from the United States. The US Office of Trade Representatives has aided the government in this process. Several other laws will also be modified.

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