Patricio M. Albornoz, left, senior associate with M. & M. Bomchil, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Jorge Espinosa, right, partner with Espinosa Martinez, in Miami.
For companies in the United States who have done business in Argentina, the bureaucracy has always been a significant hurdle. Processes simply take longer or require more complex submissions than in the United States. Argentina is aware that this bureaucratic barrier costs the economy growth particularly in the area of intellectual property. Argentina has therefore taken steps to simplify the process in order to make the protection of intellectual property in the country more inviting and competitive.
Decree N º 27/2018 of De-bureaucratization and Simplification (the Decree), published in the Official Gazette on Jan. 11, introduces important changes in the formalities required in dealing with the government. The law is clear as to its purpose which is “to encourage investment, productivity, employment and Social Inclusion.” Because of these greater economic goals, the Decree goes beyond mere procedural changes to actual substantive changes. We will discuss how well it succeeds in its goals.
