U.S. Trains Salvadoran Judges on Intellectual Property Issues
August 19, 2008

US Ambassador Charles Glazer delivers his remarks at the opening ceremony of a three-day work shop on IPR.

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office (ICE) of the United States Departments of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau of the Department of State are co-hosting an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Workshop for Salvadoran judges from August 19th – 21st.  The Workshop brings together United States Department of Justice officials and U.S. Federal judges, along with judges from Honduras and Panama, to train their Salvadoran counterparts on the unique practice and challenges of adjudicating IPR cases.

United States Ambassador Charles L. Glazer addressed the gathering at an opening ceremony and highlighted the great importance of Intellectual Property and its protection.  “The modern world’s economy depends on an ever-increasing supply of knowledge and innovation – which becomes stifled whenever and wherever intellectual property is unprotected.”   Ambassador Glazer also emphasized the importance of the program to local creators of intellectual property.  “The steps you’re taking to develop uniform rules and procedures, once put into place, will give confidence to Salvadoran artists, entrepreneurs, and foreign investors that their intellectual property will be protected”.  Salvadoran Supreme Court Justice Rosa Maria Fortin also highlighted how important IPR protection is for El Salvador.

The three-day workshop is part of an IPR enforcement series hosted by ICE. On July 14th, 15th and 16th of this year, ICE gathered 25 prosecutors, police and investigators from El Salvador for training and discussion of IPR investigation and enforcement in the country. These workshops provide Salvadoran law enforcement officials with valuable training to assist in strengthening the protection of IPR in order to create a business-friendly environment that attracts investment from abroad.