As we have noted before, this draft law is a definite improvement over the current Paraguayan copyright law. A few amendments are needed to ensure that it is compatible with international standards. We remind members of the GSP Subcommittee that the passage of this Copyright Law will have little impact on piracy if the Paraguayan Government is not willing to enforce it. Even if the law were to pass by June 1997, there is a six-month delay before the law enters into effect. As a practical matter, this means that the current Paraguayan copyright law would remain in effect until 1998.
Enforcement remains our highest priority.
Ineffective customs enforcement has contributed to growing copyright piracy in Paraguay. Importantly, customs authorities must have the authority to search, on their own initiative, all persons, objects and vehicles that enter or leave Paraguay and detain persons in possession of infringing goods. We understand that some border enforcement provisions are contained in the draft Trademark Law. However, no such measures appear to be included in the draft Copyright Law. Paraguay must provide effective border enforcement measures to reduce widespread distribution of infringing products.