The Dominican Republic has inadequate patent protection, especially for pharmaceuticals. The piracy of computer software, video and audio tapes, and compact disc technologies continues with little enforcement action by the Dominican Government. Larger cable television companies now generally pay fees and royalties, although smaller systems may still be pirating signals and programs. Existing law provides for broad exclusions of subject matter from patentability, and includes onerous local working requirements. Dominican patent protection law continues to be inadequate with respect to term of protection.
Infringement is widespread.
The Ministry of Health currently is granting marketing approvals for existing pharmaceutical products, thus allowing violation of patent holders' rights. Trademarks Trademark enforcement is inadequate, particularly in the area of well-known apparel and athletic shoe brands, which are counterfeited and sold widely on the local market. Until recently, foreign participation in the financial services sector was restricted by law. The 1995 foreign investment law, and a financial-monetary code now before the Dominican Congress, permit foreign involvement in the financial services sector. However, the practical impact of these provisions is not clear.