By means of Decree 3101 of 1997, the National Government determined the applicable rates for industrial property procedures for 1998. These rates include procedures such as the registration of invention patents, industrial designs, trademarks, slogans, the deposit of commercial names, and the declaration of protection of origin denominations, among others. The rates applicable to these procedures increased approximately 15% compared to the rates applicable last year.

This Decree also includes the possibility of a 75% discount from the applicable rate for the registration of invention patents when the inventor lacks economical resources or when the inventor is a public or private university. These rates will be in force until December 31st, 1998.

Prepared by Julika Weiss and Danilo Romero from Gomez Pinzon & Asociados, Bogota, Colombia.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide but specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

GOMEZ PINZON & ASOCIADOS
Carrera 9 No. 73-24 Pisos 1,2,3 y 5
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Telephone : 571- 3107055/ 5066
Facsimile : 571- 3106646/6657
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/GOMEZP_LAW