Second Week of IP Enforcement and Governance brought together national and international experts in Argentina

IP Key LA organized three events in which the challenges of intellectual property rights (IPR) infringements in the digital environment were analyzed. In addition, judges and customs officers were trained to identify current trends in counterfeiting and piracy. Finally, national and international experts discussed the economic impact caused by violations of IP regulations, introduced best practices and possible advances, and emphasized the need of working together and in a coordinated manner.

The Ambassador of the European Union in Argentina, Aude Maio-Coliche, who accompanied the opening of this Week of IP Enforcement and Governance, was emphatic to mention that IPR violators pay little attention to the quality and safety of their products, something that represents a risk for those who purchase these products (especially medicines, food, toys, batteries and auto parts, among others). "The online environment allows very rapid proliferation of products that infringe IP."

For his part, Pedro Duarte, IP Key LA Project Leader, recalled that it is very necessary to promote business models that are respectful of IPR and cooperation between the European Union and Mercosur can facilitate strategies that support this objective.

Participants from the Mercosur countries and Chile were part of the Forum on Intellectual Property in the digital economy, the II IP Regional Seminar for Customs Officials of Latin America and the II IP Key Symposium for judges of Latin American countries.