Database

Paraguay's regulatory agency, CONATEL (Comision Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) requires approval of all radio frequency equipment as well as equipment that connects to the public network, such as E1 or ADSL devices. CONATEL requires certificates to be issued in the name of a legal representative in Paraguay.

Paraguay requires each import shipment (e.g., commercial receipt, certificate of origin, and cargo manifest) to be certified by either the Paraguayan consulate in the country of origin or, subject to payment of a fee, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paraguay. Paraguay requires all companies operating in the country to contract the services of a customs broker. Customs broker fees are standardized by Paraguayan law.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Paraguay are connected to the Internet through networks of Argentina and Brazil that have access to fiber-optic sub marine cable systems, users in Paraguay are prevented de facto to access any website blocked by Brazil or Argentina.

According to press reports, Whatsapp voice calling feature is currently being blocked in Paraguay by telecommunication operators.

The Paraguyan Law does not foresee any exception to internet liability services.

According to press reports, Whatsapp voice calling feature is currently being blocked in Paraguay by telecommunication operators.

Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones (Copaco) is the incumbent telecommunications operator for fix line in Paraguay. The company is state-owned and its services include basic, corporate, public, and GSM fixed wireless telephony.

According to the Paraguayan Telecommunications Law, competition rules apply in the telecommunications market. Yet, Paraguay is a WTO member since 1995, but it has not adopted specific telecommunications commitments nor the WTO Reference Paper on Basic Telecommunications.

The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) reports serious copyright enforcement deficiencies that persist in the country.

In Paraguay, there are no special provisions that admit exceptions of fair use/fair dealing. The "3 steps rule" is the applicable standard with regards to prevision and interpretation of the exception to the author’s right.

Paraguay is not a signatory of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Businesses cannot use the convenience of a "one-stop-shop" to file for international patent filing.

In order to be appointed as managers in Limited Liability Companies, foreigners must obtain Paraguayan residence.

Directors of corporations must be nationals of Paraguay or foreigners with legal residence in the country.

Paraguay is not a party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement.

Decree 4008/2010, introduced in 2010, established national preferences in public tenders to promote national production and employment in direct response to the economic crisis. The Decree was valid for one year and was then replaced by Decree 6255/2011 which is of indefinite duration. The latter was published to support domestic production and employment, providing as well for domestic preference margins ranging from 5% to 70%. For national industrial or manufactured products, a single margin was set at 40%.

Law No. 4558 published in December 2011 also supports domestic producers through public procurement and envisages reference margins of 20% for local content in a product.