The Superintendency of Industry and Commerce ("SIC") modified the procedure to apply for the registration of industrial designs

The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce published Resolution 60452 of 2022, by which the instructions for the filing of applications for the registration of industrial designs were modified, according to the international standards of article 107 of Andean Decision 486 of 2000. The document contains: i) modernization of the developed procedures; ii) filing of applications; iii) graphic representation of the design; iv) filing of applications in physical format and by electronic means; and v) graphic representation of user interface and animated designs.

Is there an environmental protection deficit in rules for granting mining titles?

The Council of State (Consejo de Estado) pronounced on a popular action in which it was considered that the evaluation procedure for the proposal and oversight of mining titles had flaws that could cause environmental damage. The action sought to protect collective rights, such as: healthy environment, the existence of ecological balance, the management and rational use of natural resources, the conservation of animal and plant species, the protection of areas of special ecological importance and the defense of public patrimony.

Does surrogate motherhood allow maternity leave in its totality to biological father?

Decision T 275 of 2022 was released. In it, the Constitutional Court studied a tutela action filed by a petitioner in his own name and on behalf of his daughter against Sanitas EPS to request the recognition and payment of "paternity leave for a time equivalent to the number of weeks granted to mothers by law", in order to take care of his newborn daughter, since she had been born through the figure of "surrogate gestation" and therefore, he would be the "unique father and head of the family".

Total exports for July grew 71.7% and fuel exports increased 148%

The National Administrative Department of Statistics ("DANE"- acronym in Spanish) has published the Technical Bulletin with the results of exports for July of this year. According to the bulletin, total exports were of US $5,913 million FOB, which represents a growth in exports of 71.7% compared to the same month last year. In the January to July period, total exports were USD $34,561 million FOB, 59.8% higher than last year.

Most relevant bills filed in 2022-2023 legislature for the environmental sector

For the current legislative period, corresponding to the 2022- 2023, a considerable number of bills and legislative acts have been filed, in both, Senate and House of Representatives. Most of these proposals may have a significant impact in the environmental field.