Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean - IP Policy and Strategy Development

Intellectual property can no longer be considered as merely rule based, imposing obligations on States that adhere to a particular treaty or convention. It must begin to be understood and taken aboard IP as a tool, which can be used by developing countries to build their economies, expand trade and encourage creativity and innovation. In order for countries of the region to make the transition from a rule-based approach, it is necessary to have comprehensive and coherent IP policies and strategies in place. Such policies aid governments in incorporating IP into the fabric of their societies, into their legal and into their political framework as a tool for promoting economic and cultural development. The Bureau, working with various Sectors in-house, assists governments of the region to begin this process by making an assessment of their current IP status through an audit or survey. This process allows government to understand the dynamics of their particular situation, it allows policy makers to see what and where gaps exists and to determine what types of policy will best suit their nation to move forward. The end goal being the creation of an enabling environment that will maximize the benefit and encourage the use of IP.