WIPO Lex

WIPO Lex is a one-stop search facility for national laws and treaties on intellectual property (IP) of WIPO, WTO and UN Members. It also features related information which elaborates, analyzes and interprets these laws and treaties. It provides streamlined access to reference material of key importance for optimal information on the global IP System.

Date	News Brief
September 16, 2011	United States of America: The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act was recently passed by the US Congress and on September 16, 2011, signed by the President of the United States into law. The various provisions contained in the 37 sections of the Act enter into force at various dates. The Act includes major changes to the Patent Law, Title 35 United States Code. The most significant change is the conversion of America's "first to invent" patent priority system to a "first to file" which is aimed at simplifying the patent process and harmonizing the US Patent System with other countries. The new Act also improves patent quality, reduces patent litigation costs and introduces new opportunities for challenging patents and patent applications before the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO).
June 29, 2011	Ecuador: Resolution No. 11-029 P-IEPI granting Direct Application to the Andean Community Decision with regard to Requests for Extension to file Oppositions against the Application for Registration of Distinctive Signs was issued by the Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property on June 29, 2011. The Resolution came into force on July 1, 2011. It states that Article 146 of the Andean Community Decision No. 486, which provides for the time limit to file oppositions against the registration of distinctive signs, applies directly to Ecuador and therefore supersedes Article 208 of its Law on Intellectual Property (Consolidation No. 2006-013).
June 21, 2011	Paraguay: Decree No. 6.780/11 - By which Chapter IV "Of Compensatory Remuneration Rights" of Law No. 1.328/98 "Of Copyright and Neighboring Rights" is regulated, was issued by the President on June 21, 2011. This Decree provides economic remuneration to rights holders for acts of private copying.
June 16, 2011	Colombia: Law No. 1450 of 2011 - By which the National Plan of Development is issued, 2010 – 2014, was enacted by the Colombian Congress on June 16, 2011 and entered into force on the same date. Article 28 of this law amends Article 20 of Law 23 of 1982 - on Copyright with regards to the ownership of economic rights of works created under the existence of service agreements or employment contracts; article 29 concerns the ownership of industrial property rights generated under the existence of service agreements or employment contracts; article 30 amends Article 183 of Law No. 23 of 1982, regarding the contractual transfer regime of economic rights on copyrights and related rights; and article 31 concerns the ownership of intellectual property rights generated from research projects financed with national budget funds.
May 1, 2011	South Africa: The Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008 was assented to by the President on April 9, 2009 and entered into force on May 1, 2011. The Act provides for a regulatory framework for enterprises. Chapter 8 of the Act entitled "Regulatory Agencies and Administration of Act" establishes the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) of South Africa, to function as an organ of state within the public administration, focusing on the registration of companies and intellectual property rights. The additional functions of CIPC include education and awareness, investigation, compliance and enforcement.

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