Paraguay does not have a comprehensive framework in place that provides effective protection of trade secrets, but there are limited measures addressing some issues related to them. Art. 65 of the Labour Code establishes the employee's obligations to maintain strict confidentiality of technical, commercial and manufacturing secrets of the products in the production of which they are directly or indirectly involved or of which they have knowledge by reason of the work performed, as well as of administrative matters whose disclosure could be detrimental to the company. In addition, the literature indicates that in the absence of special laws for the protection of industrial secrets, Criminal Law has a role since Art. 147 of the Penal Code establishes penalties for the disclosure of "other people's" secrets and industrial or trade secrets.

It is reported that there is no obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Paraguay to deliver telecom services to end users. However, it is practised in both the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.

Paraguay is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).

It is reported that the telecommunications sector is open to competition, except for fixed lines and international carrier services, which remain under State monopoly with the "Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones". This is despite full foreign ownership being allowed in the telecommunications sector. In December 2001, as part of the process of “Reorganization of decentralized Public Entities, of reform and modernization of Central Administration Organizations”, provided for by Law 1615/2000, the National Telecommunications Administration (ANTELCO) changed its name to Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones Sociedad Anónima (Copaco S. A.), becoming a 100% state-owned company.

According to Art. 33 of the Public Procurement and Contracting Law, international contracting may only be pursued under two conditions: (i) when a market analysis conducted by the bidder determines that no domestic suppliers, consultants, or contractors are able to offer the required goods, services, consulting, or work, either in terms of quantity, quality, or price; or (ii) when, following a national call for bids, no proposals are submitted, or none meet the requirements specified by the bidder. Art. 33 further establishes the obligation to register an address in Paraguay or to designate a local representative for the purposes of the relevant communications at the time of contracting in the case of a foreign bidder.

Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones (COPACO S.A.) is the leading fixed-line telephony operator in Paraguay and is wholly state-owned. It is reported that, in December 2001, within the framework of the “Reorganisation of Decentralised Public Entities and the Reform and Modernisation of Central Administration Organisations” established by Law No. 1615/2000, the former National Telecommunications Administration (ANTELCO) was converted into Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones Sociedad Anónima (COPACO S.A.), as a 100% state-owned company. COPACO also owns 100% of the mobile service operator HOLA.

According to Art. 33 of the Public Procurement and Contracting Law, in international contracting procedures, the bidders shall grant the benefit of a 10% margin of preference to bids that incorporate (i) the use of the country's human resources and (ii) the acquisition and lease of goods produced in the Republic of Paraguay.

In accordance with Art. 27 of the Public Procurement and Contracting Law, an Annual Public Procurement Program is established to promote micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This program must specify expenditure items and categories from the Catalogue of Goods, Services, Consultancy, and Public Works that are designated for preferential contracting with MSMEs. The Law requires each entity to set an annual market reserve for MSMEs, aiming to reach 20% within a period not exceeding five years from the law's enactment.

Paraguay is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 2019.

It is reported that the telecommunications sector is open to competition, except for fixed lines and international carrier services, which remain under State monopoly with the "Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones". This is despite full foreign ownership being allowed in the telecommunications sector.

It is reported that, although shareholders of Paraguayan companies may be natural or legal persons regardless of their residence status, directors, managers and legal representatives must be Paraguayan citizens or foreigners with valid residence permits in Paraguay.

According to Art. 8 of Decree No. 14201/2001, which regulates Law No. 1630/2000 on Patents, a patent application must include, inter alia, the name and address of the acting Industrial Property Agent together with their registration number, as well as a simple copy of the power of attorney or instruction document. According to the official website of the National Intellectual Property Directorate (DINAPI), representation by an Industrial Property Agent is mandatory for filing patent applications, and one of the requirements to act as such an agent is to be a lawyer duly registered with the Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay.

According to Art. 60 of the Patent Law, all proceedings before the Industrial Property Directorate must be conducted through an Industrial Property Agent registered with the Directorate and domiciled in the capital. According to the official website of the National Intellectual Property Directorate (DINAPI), one of the requirements for acting as an Industrial Property Agent is to be a lawyer duly registered with the Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay.

Paraguay is not a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).