Page:Special 301 Report 1996.pdf/25

   Rights at the second Summit of the Americas Trade Ministerial, held in Cartagena, Colombia, on March 21. 

APRIL

 Brazil enacted a new, long-awaited industrial property law on April 10. The new law contains a one-year transition period for pharmaceutical patent protection.

Canada introduced legislation in the House of Commons to amend the Copyright Act on April 26. The proposed amendments include, among other initiatives, measures dealing with neighboring rights for sound recordings, home copying and exceptions for certain groups. One of the stated objectives of the reforms is to help strengthen Canadian identity and contribute to the cultural sector.

Panama's National Assembly approved a new industrial property law on April 9.

Bulgaria's Council of Ministers adopted a decree on April 16 implementing a copyright title verification system. 