The Latin American Intellectual Property Rights Workshop , also known as the Panama Intellectual Property Rights Workshop , was held from June 1-3, 2022 in Panama City as a significant international event. Organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) with substantial support from the Customs Cooperation Fund Japan (CCF/Japan), the workshop aimed to enhance the capabilities of customs administrations across Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean in combating counterfeit and pirated goods.
Background
In an increasingly globalized world, trade in counterfeit and pirated goods has become a serious threat to global economic stability, innovation, and public safety. Latin America faces particular challenges due to its geographic position, economic development levels, and trade environment. These illicit goods not only harm brand owners but also endanger consumer health and safety while stifling innovation and economic growth.
The WCO developed its IPR Strategy 2020 to provide customs administrations worldwide with a framework to address these complex challenges. This strategy emphasizes international cooperation, enhanced customs enforcement capabilities, and technological solutions to combat IPR violations. Against this backdrop, WCO partnered with CCF/Japan to organize this workshop, helping regional customs authorities better implement the IPR Strategy 2020 .
Workshop Overview
Participants
The event brought together approximately 30 customs officials from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Panama, and Peru, along with representatives from regional intelligence offices and 18 private sector rights holders. WCO Secretariat experts and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advisor provided technical guidance.
Objectives
- Raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit goods
- Strengthen customs capabilities in risk management, intelligence sharing, and product identification
- Promote implementation of WCO's IPR Strategy 2020
- Enhance cooperation between customs, intelligence agencies, and private sector
- Advance digital transformation in customs operations
Key Discussion Topics
WCO IPR Strategy 2020
The workshop emphasized the strategy's focus on clear objectives, capacity building, international cooperation, technological applications, and risk management to combat IPR violations.
Risk Management
Participants learned about assessing different product categories, trade routes, and entities to identify high-risk areas and implement appropriate control measures.
Intelligence Sharing
The importance of international and domestic intelligence sharing was highlighted, along with analytical techniques to track counterfeit goods flows and apply findings to enforcement actions.
Product Identification
Rights holders provided training on authentic product characteristics, while experts introduced advanced identification technologies and database solutions.
Digital Transformation
Aligning with WCO's 2022 theme, discussions focused on leveraging digital tools like WCO's IPR CENcomm platform for real-time intelligence sharing and data-driven decision making.
Practical Exercises
Participants conducted field exercises at Balboa Port, applying risk assessment concepts to container inspections while utilizing WCO tools to improve targeting accuracy.
Commitment from Panama
Panama Customs Director Tayra Ivonne Barsallo emphasized the importance of public-private cooperation in combating counterfeiting and reaffirmed Panama's commitment to supporting WCO's anti-counterfeiting initiatives.
Impact and Future Outlook
The workshop successfully enhanced regional awareness and capabilities in IPR protection while fostering greater cooperation. Moving forward, Latin America aims to strengthen international collaboration, improve enforcement capacities, embrace digital transformation, and refine legal frameworks to build more robust IPR protections that foster innovation and economic growth.