Contracting Party of the Paris Convention: YES
Contracting Party of the Patent Cooperation
Treaty (PCT): NO
Patent Law in force:
Decision 486 – Andean Community (Cartagena Agreement Dec 1, 2000)
Types of protection available:
Patent of Invention; Utility Model, layout of integrated circuits, industrial secrets
Formal filing requirements:
- Power of Attorney: Duly notarized and apostilled within 2 months from office action, deadline may be extended once for the same period. Additional local legalization may apply.
- Assignment document from the inventors: Duly notarized and apostilled, within 2 months office action, deadline may be extended once for the same period.
- Certified copy of priority application and translation: within 16 months from priority date.
- Sequence listings must be filed in WIPO Standard ST.26 format.
Filing of the patent application in a foreign language:
Possible. Late submission of the Spanish translation is possible within the deadline to submit the priority document. (16 months from priority date)
Substantive examination must be requested by the applicant:
YES, within 6 months from publication.
Observations by third parties:
YES, within 60 working days from publication.
Opposition:
YES, within 60 working days from publication.
Average time from filing to grant:
5-6 years
Term of protection for patents:
20 years from filing date.
Term of protection for utility models:
10 years from filing date.
Maintenance:
Maintenance: During prosecution: yearly on anniversary date of filing.
Compulsory licensing:
YES
Link to Patent Office:
