Region: Colombia

Colombia joins Practice CP3 regarding distinctiveness of word-and-device trademarks

A practice paper recently published by the National Trademark Office details the criteria for the examination of figurative marks containing descriptive/non-distinctive words.

19 July 2022

National Trademark Office changes approach to examination of competitive connection between Class 5 goods

The decision is significant as it considers the realities of the market for vaccines on the one hand, and for pharmaceutical products on the other.

04 May 2022

New trademark prosecution practice: additional evidence will not be accepted on appeal

Two resolutions recently issued by the National Trademark Office have changed the policy concerning the acceptance of evidence submitted on appeal.

07 February 2022

Dispute between Evacol and Crocs over famous clogs is far from over

The Andean Community Court has replied to questions submitted by a Colombian court in proceedings initiated by Crocs against Evacol pursuant to the commercialisation of clogs allegedly infringing its 3D trademark.

08 October 2021

QUINDIPAN not confusingly similar to appellation of origin ‘Café de Colombia’

The Colombian Coffee Growers’ Federation has failed to prevent the registration of QUINDIPAN in Classes 30 and 43. Its main argument was that ‘Quindi’ is similar to ‘Quindio’ - an area of great importance for coffee production in Colombia.

29 September 2021

IP offices should be “protagonists and agents of change” urges INAPI director after launch of new multinational IP and gender network

Chilean National Institute of Industrial Property Director Loreto Bresky calls for IP offices to increase collaboration and follow in the footsteps of the new Latin American Network of Intellectual Property and Gender.

07 July 2021

Amendments to the Administrative and Contentious-Administrative Procedural Code: key points highlighted

IP practitioners should take note of the changes introduced by Law 2080, which will have a significant impact on IP administrative and contentious-administrative procedures in Colombia.

15 March 2021

Fame in South America: how to establish and wield well-known status

Renown is a powerful tool for trademark practitioners, but when seeking to establish and utilise it in Central and South America, local nuance is all important.

04 January 2021

Double examination of trademark applications: National Trademark Office develops worrying new practice

A new practice initiated by Colombia’s National Trademark Office is causing concern in the trademark community, as second-instance decisions - which, according to the law, cannot be subject to further legal remedies - are no longer the final decisions in the administrative process.

09 December 2020

“Firms wouldn’t even accept a woman’s CV”: challenging diversity in Latin American legal culture

Often, the diversity discussion is centred on the goals of firms based in North America or Western Europe. But the conversation is also growing in Central and South America.

12 November 2020