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