ABPI Advocates for Innovation in the United States
On September 3 in Washington, DC, ABPI President Gabriel Leonardos participated in a hearing convened by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act. The proceeding examines Brazilian acts, policies, and practices related to digital trade, electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, anti-corruption measures, protection of Intellectual Property (IP), ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation.
“We showed, clearly and consistently, that Brazil takes the defense of innovation seriously, even in the face of challenges such as the allocation of revenues at the BPTO,” Leonardos stated. He highlighted that the BPTO’s lack of budgetary autonomy, in which the federal government withholds a portion of its own revenues, received particular attention during the session. “We highlighted that ABPI has challenged this situation for many years, including through Public Civil Action”, ABPI’s President said, in a panel including representatives from AMCHAM, FIESP, and PHARMA.
Leonardos also highlighted progress in Brazil’s fight against piracy, underscoring coordinated efforts by law enforcement and customs authorities. Furthermore, he highlighted the steady decreases in the BPTO’s patent backlog, especially from 2017 onwards, as evidence of ongoing institutional improvements that foster innovation.
