Colombian Council of State will reduce backlog: it is expected a faster speed to solve IP Invalidity Actions

On 15 December 2017, the Council of State (the Colombian Supreme Court responsible for reviewing invalidity actions) has decided to make an agreement between its First -which has competence on the aforementioned lawsuits- and Fifth Chambers to reduce backlog.

The agreement consists in the sending of more than 500 lawsuits (not related to industrial property matters) from the First Chamber to the Fifth, which will be responsible for issuing a judgment in such cases.

It is expected that the measure means that several trademarks and patents invalidity actions be finally resolved.  The above, considering that the Council of State backlog has led to many processes lasting 5 years or more without a final ruling.