The Executive Branch gave in to the demands of Cabildo Abierto and incorporated a “reserve” that also guaranteed the votes of the Frente Amplio.
The government managed to obtain the necessary votes in the Chamber of Deputies so that Uruguay adhere to Patent Cooperation Treaty (TCP)a fundamental step to be able to enter the ATrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
With modifications through, the Executive power secured the necessary votes for the patent treaty, an issue that had been a thorn in the side of the current administration due to the rejection not only of some sectors of the Broad Front, but also of Town meeting, for the damages that international regulations could cause in the national industry. Finally, and after accepting an addition to the bill that allows the country to access a “reservation” of Chapter II of the Treaty—which refers to the “international preliminary examination” of patent applications—, Uruguay It could join the 157 countries in the world that have ratified the standard.
The announcement about the adjustment was made by the chancellor Omar Paganini on Monday, in Parliament, and it represented a fundamental change for those who opposed voting in favor of the project. As confirmed by the leader, this is a “transitional” mechanism that will not imply major changes to the final application of the PCT, and that “is almost never used” at a global level. But he stressed the importance of Uruguay adhere to “protect” the patents that are generated locally. “It will allow Uruguay have integration into the global ecosystem of innovation”, he claimed.
“Many people do not patent in Uruguay”, said the chancellor, and explained that “the country has very bad patenting indicators when, in reality, there are many inventors.” For the minister, this means that these inventors often have to turn abroad to protect their creations.
Votes secured
The modification finally incorporated was a requirement of Town meeting to the project after the sector stopped adhering to the TCP, which had been sent in October of last year by the president Luis Lacalle Pou to Parliament.
By mid-May, the initiative had returned to the Science and Technology Commission later that the sector Guido Manini Ríos requested that a “substantial” modification be introduced. This modification was effectively about making a “booking” of Chapter II of the agreement that refers to the “international preliminary examination” of patent applications, as this would be the most detrimental aspect for the national industry. That is, Cabildo Abierto sought to exclude the country from the legal effects of certain provisions in its application, just as the United States or Switzerland did, as they argued.
Finally, the Executive Branch gave in to this request with the objective of being able to have the necessary votes to adhere to the Treaty, one of the requirements set by the eleven countries that make up the Treaty. Cptpp for the entry of new members to the block.
The paradox is that the majority would not have obtained it thanks to the lobbyists—who, likewise, should vote in favor as long as their request was heard and responded positively—but because the Frente Amplio assured that it will vote for the project. The new text would begin to be discussed in the ordinary session this Tuesday.
Source: Ambito
