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- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION: In 1997, Chile was one of the 161 states
who were party to the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO). As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the WIPO is granted the authority to
take any necessary corrective actions with respect to the protection of intellectual property.
- SOFTWARE COPYRIGHTS: In 1992, Chile passed legislation which extends the term of
copyright protection from 30 to 50 years. The current law penalizing the copying of software is
one related to intellectual property rights. Fines range from approximately US$160 to US$1,600
and prison sentences range between 60 and 541 days. 1
- ARE THEY ENFORCED? Currently the Software Distributors Association (ADS ) is
investigating 40 companies for using pirated software. According to the ADS, they are generally
able to reach a settlement with the company whereby the company agrees to legally purchase the
pirated software and continue monitoring for a period of up to two years. 2
- PIRACY RATE: According to a recent Price Waterhouse study, Chile's software piracy
rate is 62%, significantly higher than the US average of 35%.3 Since the passage of
legislation in 1990, there has been a 14% reduction in software pirating. 4 The Software Distributors Association is currently
advocating, however, the passage of stiffer penalties for pirating.
1.
http://journal.chilnet.cl/nws_IT.htm
2. Ibid
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
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