El Salvador approves new IP law

In July 2024, El Salvador's Legislative Assembly approved a new intellectual property law to replace the 1993 law. 

The new IP law aims to protect intellectual property rights, encourage innovation, and promote economic development. 

Key changes include expanded protection for trade secrets, plant varieties, and traditional knowledge, and more efficient procedures for registering trade marks, patents and copyright. Furthermore, the law will strengthen measures against piracy and counterfeiting, aligning El Salvador with international standards and enhancing its global competitiveness.

In addition, the new IP law establishes the Salvadoran Institute of Intellectual Property (ISPI), which will centralise and simplify IP services, including digital registration processes. This initiative seeks to reduce bureaucracy and lower costs, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creative industries.