Intellectual property rights and flows Germoplasma in Central America

Abstract

Recent changes, driven by the Free Trade Agreements and in general by economic globalization, on intellectual property rights (IPRs), will have a strong impact on some sectors of Latin American economies. Probably the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and seed industry, as well as the computer industry (software, chips, etc.), will be the most harmed (or benefited) by ongoing or current modifications. What these effects are in the agricultural sector and more precisely on cooperation in Central America, it is not easy to determine. A certain level of speculation seems necessary when carrying out any analysis on this matter. However, beyond the uncertainty about potential consequences, what is beyond doubt is the changes themselves. Central America will - in some cases already on its way - to have a legal structure in relation to IPRs radically diverse to that that in previous years. Bills and in some cases already passed laws are a clear indicator of this trend. Knowing the causes and content will, at the same time, allow to achieve to some extent anticipate the likely effects and take the relevant actions to properly manage such consequences appropriately such consequences. In this particular case, knowing the new legal environment on Intellectual Property Rights on plant varieties and plants and their implications for agricultural cooperation is essential.