DELIVERED: SPECIAL 301 - BOLIVIA 2009

UNCLAS LA PAZ 000637

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DOC PASS AWILSON
DOL PASS MPETTIS
DOJ PASS JZACHARIA
DHS PASS MMDUDEK
LOC PASS PPINHA
NSC PASS DBELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ECON ETRD BL
SUBJECT: DELIVERED: SPECIAL 301 - BOLIVIA 2009

REF: SECSTATE 42891


1. Econoff delivered reftel to Dr. Alvaro Sepulveda Rivero,
Executive Director of the Bolivian National Service of
Intellectual Property (SENAPI) April 29. Dr. Sepulveda was
unfamiliar with the Special 301 list but said he was relieved
that Bolivia had not been moved to the Priority Watch List.
He explained that he was the fifth person to head SENAPI in
the past year.


2. Dr. Sepulveda said he would pass the information on to his
superiors and emphasized his willingness to hear about
positive examples of countries that had successfully removed
themselves from the list. He said that his tactics for
combating piracy were to reach out to universities and social
groups to change their mentality of protection of
intellectual property. He said his office brought in several
speakers for World IPR Day and that any type of training or
guidance from the USG in these matters would be much
appreciated.


3. Dr. Sepulveda admitted that some areas of concern in
reftel would be very difficult to confront given President
Morales' stance on "protection" of foreign companies. He said
that pharmaceuticals were particularly an issue, as under the
new constitution, people are guaranteed health and medical
treatment. He did agree he would try to work further with the
other branches of government, particularly on increasing the
enforcement and punishments for violations. He further asked
to be sent a copy of both Watch Lists as to potentially work
with neighboring countries on improving contraband control
and access to legal goods.


4. POC at Post for Special 301/IPR issues is Kelly Diiro;
diirokl@state.gov, (591) 2-216-8225.
URS