Intellectual property in the economic partnership agreement between Colombia and Japan

Intellectual property rights (IPR) have become a central focus in the negotiation of international trade agreements, as they are a key instrument for both the protection of innovations and the governance of global value chains. In this context, Colombia has signed multiple treaties in which the inclusion of intellectual property chapters has been recurrent. This article analyzes, from a descriptive and documentary approach based on primary and secondary sources, the treatment of intellectual property in the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiated between Colombia and Japan. It employs a methodology that combines documentary review and specialized literature, defining official negotiation documents as primary sources. The results show that, unlike the agreements signed with the United States and the European Union, which are characterized by the adoption of "TRIPS-plus" standards and stricter requirements, the intellectual property chapter in the EPA with Japan was limited to general provisions, with an explicit reaffirmation of the multilateral commitments made within the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. It is concluded that Colombia's strategy sought to preserve margins of regulatory flexibility in the face of external demands, prioritizing a balance between the protection of intellectual property rights and national interests in public health, innovation, and technology transfer. This study contributes to the debate on how developing countries negotiate with advanced economies, highlighting the need to incorporate safeguards that ensure that international intellectual property commitments are aligned with sustainable development goals and regulatory autonomy.