According to Art. 16 of the Investment Promotion Law, foreign investment in strategic sectors of the State, including in the telecommunications sector, can only be made in mixed capital companies in which the foreign investors has less than the 50% of the shareholding, and the State has a majority shareholding.

Bolivia lacks a comprehensive regime for the protection of trade secrets.

Bolivia has signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty in December 1996, but has not ratified it.

It is reported that copyright is not adequately enforced online in the country. Significant challenges persist with respect to adequate and effective IP enforcement and communication between the "Servicio Nacional de Propiedad Intelectual" (SENAPI) and customs. Video, music, literature, and software piracy rates are among the highest in Latin America. In addition, it is reported that the rate of unlicensed software installation in the country was 79% in 2017 (above the 52% rate of the Latin American countries), for an estimated commercial value of USD 94 million.

Bolivia has signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty in December 1996, but has not ratified it.

Bolivia is not a signatory of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Bolivia has a copyright regime under the Law No. 1322. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Art. 24 lists the exceptions, which include citation of an author as long as it is for teaching or research purposes, in accordance with honest uses, to the extent justified by the purpose pursued and not abusive. Furthermore, Bolivia is a member of the Andean Community of Nations, and is subject to Decision 351 issued in 1993. Art. 22 of the Decision sets forth a list of mandatory exceptions in the internal market, but also allows the adoption of additional exceptions in the domestic law of members, as long as they comply with the international standards of the so-called three-step test.

There are some complains are that the laws on intellectual property rights in Bolivia are outdated, and constitutional restrictions limit effective IP protection, because these laws relies on a century-old industrial law (Law of December 2, 1916), rather than any specific law governing industrial property.

According to the Art. 416 of the Commercial Code, in order for a foreign company to operate in Bolivia, it must be registered in the Commercial Registry by establishing either a branch or a permanent representation with a domicile within the territory of the Republic.

According to Art. 11 of the Investment Promotion Law, there is an obligation for foreign direct investment to generate technology transfer under at least one of the following modalities:
- Generation of capacities and skills in Bolivian personnel from technical institutes, technological institutes, technological colleges and universities of the Plurinational Educational System, in the technical areas developed by the investment. The incorporation of Bolivian personnel shall contemplate the operational, administrative and executive areas, observing promotion policies linked to the capacities and skills acquired;
- Transfer of state-of-the-art technological machinery and equipment to technical institutes, technological institutes, technological colleges, universities of the Plurinational Educational System and public entities linked to the investment area, through agreements with clearly defined objectives and goals according to the interest of the parties;
- Develop applied research within the company aimed at improving the industrial process or contributing to public welfare.

According to Art. 16 of the Investment Promotion Law, foreign investment in strategic sectors of the State, including in the telecommunications sector, can only be made in mixed capital companies in which the State has a majority shareholding.

According to Art. 6 of the Supreme Decree No. 27328, in the contracting of consulting services, international companies can only participate in partnership with local consulting firms.

According to Art. 28 of the General Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technologies Law, broadcasting companies can have a maximum of 25% of foreign investment participation, except as determined by the State through international agreements and treaties. It is not clear whether this provisions also applies to online broadcasting.

Bolivia is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), nor does it have observer status.

According to Art. 16 of the Investment Promotion Law, foreign investment in strategic sectors of the State, including in the telecommunications sector, can only be made in mixed capital companies in which the foreign investors has less than the 50% of the shareholding, and the State has a majority shareholding.