MEDIA REACTION -FTAA

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001446

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, WHA/EPSC

STATE FOR INR/IAA, PM, INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION -FTAA



1. On July 5, conservative, afternoon daily "La Segunda" (circ.
31,834) carried a column by attorney Carolina del Rio, from Diego
Portales University, entitled, "The FTA and Industrial Property
Regulations."


2. "The accusations made by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce against our
country are based on complaints by pharmaceutical multinationals
against the production and/or sale of certain products in their
generic form and the lack of respect for the patents owned by these
companies. Large pharmaceutical laboratories invest considerable
resources and years of research to develop new products.... It is
therefore necessary to respect their right to recover...this
investment. It is also legitimate for them to defend themselves
every time they believe these rights are violated.... The GOC
introduced important changes to IPR law...and today this law
complies in general terms with international regulations...but as
with any process of this kind there is a period in which the parties
involved adjust and begin applying the new regulations. That is
what the U.S. companies are demanding through their Chamber of
Commerce. It is now Chile's duty to strictly apply the new
regulations.... This is part of Chile's accession to the world and
that is why it is an issue that must be on the agenda of Chilean
authorities and entrepreneurs."

KELLY