Argentina updates
Aviation
Contributed by Freidenberg Freidenberg & LifsicFederal court dismisses passenger claim based on Article 33 of Montreal Convention
- Argentina
- 20 February 2019
A federal court recently dismissed a lawsuit against El Al Israel Airlines which had been filed by an Argentine passenger based on a lack of jurisdiction as set out by Article 33 of the Montreal Convention. The court examined the different hypothesis described by Article 33 and found that the claimant had failed to file a lawsuit against El Al before the courts where it was domiciled or had its principal place of business, where the contract had been made or before the courts of the claimant's planned destination.
Qatar Airways struck with fine over breach of contract
- Argentina
- 05 December 2018
Carriers' commitment to travel at certain times implies a duty of extreme diligence to respect the terms of their offer and such commitment is essential to those who use their services. A first-instance court recently declared that Qatar Airways breached its transport contract and the obligations to its passengers following the delay and cancellation of one of its flights from Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires.
Plane and simple changes to airfares
- Argentina
- 12 September 2018
In the context of deregulating the aviation sector and attracting low-cost carriers, the Ministry of Transportation recently issued Resolution 656/2018, which allows domestic carriers to charge any fare that they wish under certain circumstances. Before this resolution, domestic carriers could charge no lower than the Civil Aviation Authority threshold.
National Commercial Court decision sets favourable precedent for Argentine aviation industry
- Argentina
- 20 June 2018
A recent National Commercial Court decision has set a favourable precedent for the aviation industry in Argentina. The court ordered the application of international conventions rather than local law and federal jurisdiction instead of commercial national jurisdiction. This application of international conventions by the Argentine courts is important, as it establishes the limited liability that is generally overlooked by domestic legislation.
Passenger wins damages following re-routing of non-stop flight
- Argentina
- 07 March 2018
A passenger filed a claim against Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA for a breach of contract after her non-stop flight to Europe was modified due to overbooking. The claimant argued that the defendant had fraudulently failed to fulfil its obligations. The Civil and Commercial Court of Appeals rejected the punitive damages awarded by the first-instance court, but increased and maintained compensation for moral and material damages, respectively.
Banking
New measures introduced to encourage foreign investment
- Argentina
- 07 April 2017
Since the Macri administration took office in December 2015, several resolutions have been passed to encourage and simplify foreign investments in Argentina. Two recent Central Bank regulations relate to the relaxation of additional foreign exchange restrictions and a new bank account regime which makes it easier for foreign financial institutions to invest in Argentina.
Corporate Finance/M&A
New legal framework to boost local start-ups
- Argentina
- 19 April 2017
Argentina is one of Latin America's most innovative tech hubs and home to several pan-regional unicorn start-ups. However, until now, it lacked an adequate legal framework to fund start-ups through venture capital, crowdfunding platforms or seed capital. In order to boost local financing of new projects, Congress recently approved the long-awaited Entrepreneurship Law, which is set to change the start-up environment.
Energy & Natural Resources
Contributed by Beretta GodoyFirst round of competitive bidding for offshore exploration launched
- Argentina
- 17 December 2018
The government recently published Decree 872/2018, ordering the Secretariat of Energy to launch the first round of international competitive bidding for offshore exploration permits. Given Argentina's size and the potential for the discovery of new energy sources, the government aims to exploit its resources through effective investment in seismic surveys and hydrocarbon explorations in partnership with major oil and gas companies.
New resolution issued on offshore reconnaissance permits and related commercial rights
- Argentina
- 24 September 2018
The Ministry of Energy and Mining recently issued Resolution 197/2018, which details the requirements and procedures relating to obtaining reconnaissance permits and the commercial use of data obtained during reconnaissance activities along the Argentine Continental Shelf. Although the Ministry of Energy and Mining has already granted a number of offshore exploration licences, significant potential for offshore basin exploitation remains.
Resolution on offshore reconnaissance permits
- Argentina
- 30 July 2018
This update has been removed at the request of the authors.
Latest round of renewable energy tender process success
- Argentina
- 27 November 2017
Argentina has established a long-term state policy for energy development, which encourages the use of non-fossil fuels suitable for environmental protection and economic sustainability. In pursuance of this goal, the Ministry of Energy and Mining launched a set of tender proceedings for the procurement of electrical energy from renewable sources. Following the success of Rounds 1 and 1.5, Round 2 was recently published with the aim of adding 1,200 megawatts of renewable energy to the interface system.
Bill to promote distributed energy generation from renewable sources introduced
- Argentina
- 14 August 2017
In order to unify various national regulations, the National Congress is analysing the Bill for the Promotion of Distributed Energy Generation from Renewable Sources. The bill's main aims are to unify inconsistent provincial laws in order to reduce local bureaucratic red tape, combine technical and security standards, simplify permit requirements and reduce lengthy review procedures in order to ensure timely installation and avoid added costs.
Intellectual Property
Contributed by Obligado & CiaAmendments to law on industrial models and designs
- Argentina
- 03 December 2018
The Argentine Executive Power recently issued Decree 27/2018, which has introduced significant and substantial amendments to the Law on Trademarks, the Law on Patents and the Industrial Model and Design Decree 6,673/63. The most important amendments include a simpler registration process, an expansion of the facts that do not destroy novelty and adjustments to renewal and grace periods.
Regulation of new trademark opposition system
- Argentina
- 08 October 2018
The government recently issued a decree which introduced substantial changes to the trademark opposition system, empowering the National Institute of Industrial Property to settle disputes concerning oppositions that parties cannot resolve through negotiation. The changes include the establishment of a three-month term to obtain oppositions and a 40-day evidence period.
Health Authority and use of trademarks on pharmaceuticals
- Argentina
- 06 August 2018
The Health Authority examines all relevant information to decide whether to authorise a product's introduction to the market, including its trademark or product name. In this regard, the Health Authority considers potential health risks that could occur in the event of confusion and error as regards trademarks or product names and how such confusion could affect physicians, pharmacists and consumers.
New trademark opposition system
- Argentina
- 14 May 2018
Decree 27/2018 was recently issued with the aim of further reducing and simplifying the regulations of different regimes in order to improve commerce and industry. In the IP sphere, the decree introduced important and substantial changes to the trademark opposition system. As a result, the administrative authority will be empowered to settle disputes concerning oppositions that cannot be resolved between the parties by means of negotiation.
Effect of new decree on industrial property and trademark law
- Argentina
- 12 March 2018
A recently issued decree aims to further reduce and simplify the regulations of relevant regimes in order to provide an efficient response to requests for the exercise of commerce and the development of industry. Among other things, the decree simplifies the trademark opposition procedure; implements the administrative resolution of oppositions, nullity and cancellation for non-use actions; and requires proof of use for registered trademarks.
