The second meeting of the FTAA Negotiating Group on Intellectual Property Rights was held in Miami, United States, from March 8 to 10, 1999. In attendance were delegates from Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The Chair of the group reported on the results of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) meeting held in Surinam in December 1998.

The group’s deliberations covered all the items of the agenda attached to this press release, focusing on issues relating to general principles, trademarks, geographical indications and appellations of origin, as well as unfair competition and control of anti-competitive practices, which was put aside for consideration at the group’s fourth meeting.

On the question of trademarks, there was consensus on the following issues: absolute and relative prohibitions; exhaustion of rights; well-known marks; licensing and assignments; and procedural issues. New issues may be added to the list in subsequent meetings.

Similarly, in relation to geographical indications and appellations of origin, there was consensus on the following issues: definition; protectable subject matter; right holder; rights conferred; and relationship with trademark protection.

The group’s next meeting will be held in Miami from May 31 to June 2, 1999.

Miami, March 10, 1999

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This document was previously distributed in error as FTAA.ngip/com/01 dated March 10, 1999.