Venezuela

Following Venezuela's exit from the Andean Community and the government's reinstatement of outmoded IP legislation – originally enacted in the 1950s – trademark protection in the market has been a challenge. Registration procedures have become slower and more expensive, and commentators lament a lack of support from the Venezuelan Patent and Trademark Office. The enforcement situation is a little more positive: although counterfeiting is still rife, brand owners and their advisers that are proactive in cooperating with the relevant authorities (eg, by providing technical information and training) can achieve positive results against counterfeiters. In a market where brand owners place a premium on progressive legal advice, a number of firms can satisfy such demands