Latest Developments On Bills To Amend The Brazilian Patent Statute

There are currently thirty-two (32) bills pending before the House of Representatives and nine (9) before the Senate that seek to amend the Brazilian Patent Statute (Law # 9,279, of May 14th, 1996). Although the overwhelming majority of these bills seek to limit patent rights, there are also a number of proposals in favor of applicants (for instance PLS 316/2013 that seeks to establish a maximum term of 180 days for the examination of trademarks and patent applications by the BRPTO.

Just last month, the Rapporteur of the Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation and Computing, Senator Luiz Henrique, provided for the approval of Bill PLS 316/2013. According to Senator Luiz Henrique, the bill is now ready for consideration by the Committee.