A government decree, however, establishes that local products or services of equal quality to, and no more than ten percent more expensive than foreign goods or services, shall be given preference. Among foreign bidders, preference will also be given to those who offer to purchase Uruguayan products. These are applied to neutralize unfair trade practices that threaten to damage national production activity or delay the development of such activities, and are primarily directed at Argentina and Brazil. The government provides a nine-percent subsidy to wool fabric and apparel producers using funds from a tax on greasy and washed wool exports. Foreign trademarks may be registered in Uruguay and receive the same protection as domestic trademarks.
Protection is afforded for ten years initially and is renewable.
Despite legal protection, enforcement of copyrights for software is still weak and pirating of business application software is estimated at 72 percent. There is also considerable pirating of videotapes and music cassettes. IIPA estimates that 74 percent of entertainment software is pirated. Worker Rights a. The constitution guarantees the right of workers to organize freely and encourages the formation of unions.