Source: Baguete (RS), 12/11/2008

Most Brazilian parliamentarians consider that intellectual property is one of the key pieces for the country's economic growth, points out the research “Intellectual Property in the National Congress”, carried out by Ibope Inteligência at the request of Amcham, US Chamber of Commerce and Interfarma .

According to the study, 72% of federal deputies and senators see the topic as very relevant to development; 25% believe that it has some relevance; and 3% do not consider it important.

The survey also indicates that 97% of parliamentarians admit that intellectual property is a topic that is still little discussed in the House, with 72% recognizing that it is the Legislative's duty to debate its importance and discuss new proposals in the area.

"The research shows that deputies and senators recognize the importance of intellectual property, but they must still advance in relation to their responsibility to legislate on the topic to improve the business environment in the country", says Solange Mata Machado, representative of the US Chamber . "We see that there is room for private initiative to approach Congress to debate this issue and bring knowledge", he adds.
 
The vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of Amcham, Geraldo Barbosa, believes that innovation adds value to products, helping companies to have longevity in a highly competitive scenario. "It is necessary to inform that innovations give access to new markets, increase profits, generate jobs and income, and strengthen brands, crucial items in a globalized world", he highlights.

According to the Ibope study, for most congressmen, intellectual property has positive impacts on the economic environment in terms of the competitiveness and security of private investors. According to 89% of the interviewees, these impacts are bequeathed to the export chain, while for 91% they are also good for creating qualified jobs and for increasing wages.

The questionnaires were applied to a universe of 100 parliamentarians - 84 deputies and 16 senators - between September 09 and October 31, 2008. The sample is composed of 74 government officials and 26 opposition members, representatives from all regions of the country: Southeast (26%), South (15%), Northeast (33%), North and Midwest (24%).

Incipient knowledge

The Ibope / Amcham survey also shows that deputies and senators believe that they do not have a deep understanding of the subject of intellectual property.

Among them, 67% answered that they know the subject more or less, 10% know little and 2% hardly know. Only 21% said they have full knowledge.

As for the Brazilian legislation on IP, 60% of the parliamentarians know more or less, 30% know little, 4% practically do not know, 1% did not answer and only 5% claimed to be fully knowledgeable.

The study also detected the opinion of parliamentarians on Intellectual Property legislation. Among the highlights:

• For 70%, there is excessive bureaucratization and conflicting laws;
• The laws are clear and efficient for 11%;
• 41% consider that Brazilian legislation on the subject is less rigid than that of other countries; 19% said it is just as rigid and 9% said it is more rigid;
• 45% responded that Brazilian legislation is less efficient than that of other countries; for 20% it is as efficient and only 4% consider it more efficient.

Only 7% of respondents claim to know the position of the Brazilian government in international discussions, 55% know more or less and 30% know little.

Piracy and patent breaking

According to the survey, for 62% of parliamentarians, the federal government is fighting piracy; 31% think the government is colluding and 7% did not respond.

Regarding the breach of patents, 81% affirm that they are favorable to medicines in cases of epidemic; 9% are totally opposed; 5% defend at any time and 5% did not respond.

Parliamentarians also assessed the image of Brazil among foreign investors after the Brazilian government broke the patent on the drug Efavirenz, developed by the Merck Sharp & Dohme laboratory to combat HIV. For 45%, the country's image remains the same; 27% consider that it has improved and 20% that it has worsened; the remaining 8% did not respond.