Portugal maintains no current controls on capital flows. The Bank of Portugal, however, retains the right to impose temporary restrictions in exceptional circumstances and the import or export of gold or large amounts of currency must be declared to customs. Export Subsidies Program Portugal's export subsidies programs appear to be limited to political risk coverage for exports to high-risk markets and credit subsidies for Portuguese firms expanding their international operations. Portugal's current Trademark Law entered into force on June 1, 1995. The Portuguese government is aware of these deficiencies and has been engaged in a lengthy review and revision process, but no revisions have been approved to date.
Some problems related to intellectual property protection remain.
Software piracy has decreased over the last two years but rates in Portugal remain among the highest in Europe. Furthermore, Portugal's perceived weak protection for test data has restricted the introduction of new drugs into the country. Outside these sectors, however, Portuguese intellectual property practices do not have a significant impact on trade with the U.S. 8. Worker Rights a. Workers in both the private and public sectors have the right to associate freely and to establish committees in the workplace to defend their interests.