DOMINICAN RESPONSE ON WIPO APRIL 11-13 SESSION ON

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001897 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/T, IO/UNP, WHA/CAR, EB/TPP/IPE; USDOC FOR USPTO INTERNATIONAL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: DR EAID ETRD KIPR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN RESPONSE ON WIPO APRIL 11-13 SESSION ON INTELLLECTUAL PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT REF: STATE 56991 ¶1. Head of the Dominican Intellectual Property Office Enrique Ramrez told EcoPol Counselor on April 6 that he had attended the WIPO General Assembly last October and voted with others, including the United States, to discuss the Brazilian and Arlgentine proposals, for which the Dominican Republic is listed as a co-sponsor. He will attend the April 11-13 meeting at WIPO. ¶2. Ramirez agrees with the United States view that there is no justification for creating new bodies at WIPO, for changing its mandate, or for setting formal dictates on economic development matters. He received a call earlier this week from his counterpart in Mexico Jorge Amigo, who is preparing a submission much friendlier to the U.S. view that WIPO should continue its principal mission of explaining IPR, administering the various IPR unions, and assisting developing countries to access the benefits of IPR. Ramrez promised to e-mail a copy of the Mexican proposal. He accepted with thanks the Embassy,s reworking in Spanish of Department talking points, as well as the copy in Spanish, available for the first time this morning, of the U.S. proposal for the creation of &partnership links8 through WIPO to assist development. ¶3. ONAPI Director Enrique Ramrez was head of litigation for the law firm of President Fernandez until that firm became inactive Fernandez's election. A young and vigorous lawyer, he was responsible for civil litigation. We expect that he will be a moderate voice within GRULAC and will be willing to engage with the U.S. delegation; he is well aware of U.S. concerns on IPR, especially in the context of the regional free trade agreement CAFTA now under consideration by the U.S. and Dominican legislatures. Ramrez has expressed great interest in visiting USPTO to get a better handle on the task of setting up the Dominican patent office ) perhaps on a &voluntary visitor8 program. He understands the U.S. issues with Dominican IPR piracy and appears likely to be a useful ally over the next three years of the Fernndez administration - - and perhaps for longer, if Fernndez runs for the second term that is an option under the current version of the Constitution. ¶4. FREETOWN MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. HERTELL