?? The most recent IP Law News ??? (02 / 14 / 2025)

On February 5, a crucial change was introduced in the application of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Through an executive memorandum, the FCPA unit of the Criminal Division was instructed to "prioritize investigations into foreign bribery that facilitate criminal activities of cartels and TCOs," such as human smuggling, narcotics, and firearms trafficking.

Following this change, on February 11, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at suspending proceedings against U.S. citizens accused of violations of the FCPA, as well as instructing the Attorney General to develop new guidelines for its enforcement.

In this context, companies must remain vigilant about the new guidelines and assess how these changes will impact the effectiveness of their compliance programs to mitigate risks related to bribery and corruption.

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The Colombian Constitutional Court has revoked the authority of governors and departmental assemblies to prohibit or restrict the entry of aguardiente and distilled spirits from other departments.

The high tribunal ruled that these restrictions violated the principle of free competition and limited consumer choice, forcing them to purchase only locally produced goods.

With this decision, the aguardiente market will no longer be constrained by departmental barriers and will instead operate on a national scale, allowing liquor producers to compete under equal conditions across the country.

For consumers, this means a wider selection and the freedom to choose their preferred aguardiente without restrictions imposed by local authorities, fostering a more open and competitive market.

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In a recent ruling, the Colombian National Copyright Directorate sanctioned the distributors of the renowned illegal streaming platform, Magis TV. The distributors were fined over USD 15,000 and prohibited from ever distributing any content associated with the platform.

The decision also orders internet and TV service providers in the country to permanently block access to all IP addresses and URLs associated with Magis TV.

The Attorney General’s Office also highlighted the importance of the decision, as it has reported in the past that using said platform poses a significant risk of exposing users’ personal data.

This measure sets an important precedent in the fight against digital piracy in the region. It also ensures the protection of copyright law while safeguarding the personal information of consumers who used this service.

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The Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MinCiencias) has launched Call No. 37 of the Biennial Plan of Colombia’s General System of Royalties to fund large-scale research projects that address territorial challenges in critical areas such as climate, water resources, air, soil, and vegetation cover.?

This initiative fosters scientific and technological development in Colombia by encouraging collaboration between higher education institutions, territorial entities, and civil society organizations.?

The selected projects will receive financial support to generate knowledge and develop innovative solutions that contribute to the country's well-being and sustainable development.?

Strategic intelligence analysis is a powerful tool for these projects, as it helps researchers gather valuable information to shape their proposals, identify potential partners, and enhance the competitiveness and impact of their research.

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