Decision 876, entitled “Common Regime on Country Brands”, was promulgated by the Andean Community Commission on April 23, 2021. This decision represents an important milestone for the Andean Community, made up of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, since it provides a solid legal framework to protect country brands against unauthorized uses, strengthening their identity and value.
It also harmonizes procedures for the registration and use of country brands, eliminating bureaucratic barriers and promoting consistency in requirements among member countries.
Specifically, the law encourages the strengthening of the Andean identity, protecting and promoting the symbols that represent the region as a whole.
Decision 876 offers various benefits for the member countries of the Andean Community, including:
- Greater legal certainty: It reduces legal uncertainty and facilitates the defense of rights over country brands.
- Investment attraction: A sound legal framework can increase investor confidence and encourage foreign investment.
- Promotion of foreign trade: Protected country brands can serve as effective tools for promoting exports and internationalizing companies in the region.
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