Institutional Framework: Intellectual Property and the Impact on Import and Export Operations in Ecuador

This paper introduces a review based on the economic analysis of the law. In that sense, it analyzes the application of border measures in terms of “the right and its consequences”. This mechanism of precaution applied by the customs in the air, maritime and terrestrial limits foresees the suspension of the customs clearance of the merchandise that may infringe. He therefore resorts to the theoretical-descriptive method to make a consistent description in a context where there are ample perverse incentives for the import and/or export of unauthorized copies. The first section focuses on facilitation against regulation and customs control of trade. Next, the second part addresses the relevance of customs control of import and export goods in Ecuador. The third explores the importance of border measures (criminal and unfair competition). The fourth section considers in a theoretical sense the impact on transaction costs in import and export operations. Finally, the document develops a comparison between national norms and procedures with the type of request for a border measure made by other countries of the Andean community of the United Nations. It is concluded that the adoption of the mechanism can generate high administrative and transaction costs in import and export operations, due to the absence of rules of the game and more efficient automated procedures and under a continuous improvement scheme.