Dominican deputies approve Treaty on microorganisms

http://www.dominicantoday.com 02/11/06

SANTO DOMINGO. The Chamber of Deputies yesterday ratified the Treaty of Budapest on the Recognition of the International Deposit of Microorganisms for Procedure regarding Patents.

The cooperation treaty results from commitments assumed by Dominican Republic in the matter of industrial property, contemplated in Chapter Fifteen, which require legislative and administrative actions for the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the United States.

The treaty’s objective is to facilitate that the signatory States recognize the deposit of microorganisms carried out in a "international authority of deposit," regardless that the scientific institution able to conserve them is outside the territory of the State.

The deputies accepted the information presented by the commissions Foreign Relations, headed by Minou Tavares Mirabal, and Judiciary, which Abel Martinez presides.

"We recommended its approval to the plenary session because it protects our territory from microorganisms very detrimental to health, the environment and national security, and in addition because it’s a prerequisite for the Dr-Cafta to take effect," said the legislators.