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COLOMBIA

Since October 2012, last amended in May 2015
Since June 2013

Pillar Cross-border data policies  |  Sub-pillar Conditional flow regime
Law No. 1,581 Data Protection Law (Ley No. 1581 Ley de Protección de Datos Personales)

Decree No. 1,377 Which Partially Regulates Law No. 1,581 (Decreto No. 1377 Por el cual se reglamenta parcialmente la Ley No. 1581 de 2012)
According to Art. 26 of Law No. 1,581, cross-border transfer of personal data is forbidden unless it is made to a country that offers adequate levels of data protection (as defined by the Colombian data protection authority). The above-mentioned prohibition does not apply in certain cases, including when the data subject authorizes the cross-border transfer, or in the case of medical data being required for health or public hygiene reasons. According to the law, the institution in charge, "Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio" (SIC), establishes the standards regarding international data transfers.
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Since July 2009, last amended in July 2021
Since May 2015, last amended in August 2022

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Sub-pillar Presence of an independent telecom authority
Law No. 1,341 Issues principles and concepts on the information society and the organization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), creates the National Spectrum Agency [...] (Ley No. 1341 Por la cual se definen principios y conceptos sobre la sociedad de la información y la organización de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), se crea la Agencia Nacional de Espectro [...])

Single Regulatory Decree No. 1,078 About the Information and Communication Technologies sector (Decreto No. 1078 Por medio del cual se expide el Decreto Único Reglamentario del Sector de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones)
The "Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones" is the executive authority in Colombia for the supervision and administration of services in the telecommunications sector. According to Art. 19 of Law No. 1.314 and Art. 1.2.1.1. of Regulatory Decree No. 1,078, this authority is independent of the government in the decision-making process.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

COLOMBIA

Since July 2009, last amended in July 2021
Since December 2009
Since April 2021

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Sub-pillar Other restrictions to operate in the telecom market
Law No. 1,341 Issues principles and concepts on the information society and the organization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), creates the National Spectrum Agency [...] (Ley No. 1341 Por la cual se definen principios y conceptos sobre la sociedad de la información y la organización de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), se crea la Agencia Nacional de Espectro [...])

Decree No. 4,948 Regulates the general legal authorization for the provision of telecommunications networks and services and ICT registration (Decreto No. 4948 Por el cual se reglamenta la habilitación general para la provisión de redes y servicios de telecomunicaciones y el registro de TIC)

Decree No. 377 (Decreto No. 377 Por el cual se subroga el título 1 de la parte 2 del libro 2 del Decreto 1078 de 2015, Decreto Único Reglamentario del sector de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, para reglamentar el Registro Único de TIC y se dictan otras disposiciones)
It has been reported that in practice companies that require to be registered in the ICT Registry, which include telecommunication companies and those that manage scarce resources (such as the electric spectrum), need to be incorporated into the country because of the documents needed for the mandatory registration in the ICT Registry (pursuant to Law No. 1,341, Decree No. 4,948, Decree No. 377). These documents include the Tax Identification Number for network and services providers and "Rol Único Tributario" for natural persons (according to Art. 5 and 6 of Decree No. 4,948).
Coverage Telecommunications sector

COLOMBIA

Since April 2014

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Sub-pillar Signature of the WTO Telecom Reference Paper
WTO Telecom Reference Paper
Colombia has appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

COLOMBIA

N/A

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Sub-pillar Functional/accounting separation for operators with significant market power
Lack of mandatory functional separation for dominant network operators
The country does not mandate functional separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market. However, there is an obligation of accounting separation since 2009. According to Arts. 64 and 65 of the Law No. 1,341 Issues principles and concepts on the information society and the organization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), creates the National Spectrum Agency [...] (Ley No. 1341 Por la cual se definen principios y conceptos sobre la sociedad de la información y la organización de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), se crea la Agencia Nacional de Espectro [...]), the operators must keep separate accounting and would be subject to specific sanctions if they do not comply with the requirement.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

COLOMBIA

N/A

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Sub-pillar Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
Presence of shares owned by the government in the telecom sector
The government of Colombia holds 32.5% shares of Colombia Telecomunicaciones SA ESP, which operates under the brand Movistar and focuses mainly on the telephony and mobile connection businesses. In September 2018, the authorities reported that the State was going to sell its stakes in the company but this has not been the case yet. Some public telecommunication companies exist at the local level, for example, ETB (which provides services in Bogotá), EPM (in Medellín), and Metrotel (in Barranquilla).
Coverage Telecommunications sector

COLOMBIA

Since December 2000
Since January 1996, last amended in July 2012
Since July 2000, last amended in January 2022

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Effective protection covering trade secrets
Andean Decision No. 486 Common Regime on Industrial Property (Decisión No. 486 Régimen Común sobre Propiedad industrial)

Law No. 256 By which rules on unfair competition are issued (Ley No. 256 Por la cual se dictan normas sobre competencia desleal)

Criminal Code (Código Penal)
Laws No. 256, Decision No. 486, and the Penal Code provide a framework for the adequate protection of trade secrets. Arts. 260-266 of Decision No. 486 regulate trade secrets, Art. 245 of the same allows requesting preventive measures to stop an alleged infringement, avoid its consequences, obtain or retain evidence, or ensure the effectiveness of the action or compensation for damages. In addition, Art. 16 of Law No. 256 punishes the violation of trade secrets and Art. 308 of the Penal Code defines the violation of trade secrets and establishes a sanction.
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Since November 2016

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Sub-pillar Passive infrastructure sharing obligation
Resolution CRC No. 5,050 (Resolución No. 5050 Por la cual de compilan las Resoluciones de Carácter General vigentes expedidas por la Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones)
According to Title IV of Resolution CRC 5050, there is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in the country to deliver telecom services to end users. It is practiced in the mobile sector and in the fixed sector based on commercial agreements.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

COLOMBIA

Since May 2002

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Signature of the WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treaty
Colombia has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonogram Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Reported in 2018, last reported in 2022

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Concerns have been reported about copyright online. High levels of digital piracy persist, and Colombia has not curtailed the number of free-to-air devices, community antennas, and unlicensed Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services that permit the retransmission of otherwise-licensed content to a large number of non-subscribers. Within marketplaces, there is a high amount of illegal streaming websites and there is a high amount of visits to illegal websites for streaming live broadcasting. In addition, it is reported that the rate of unlicensed software installation in the country was 48% in 2017 (below the 52% rate of the Latin American countries) for an estimated commercial value of USD 241 million.
Coverage Live broadcasting

COLOMBIA

Since March 2002

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Adoption of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Colombia has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Since February 2001

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Colombia is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Since January 1982, last amended in July 2018
Since December 1993

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Sub-pillar Copyright law with clear exceptions
Law No. 23 About Copyright (Ley No. 23 Sobre derechos de autor)

Andean Decision No. 351 Common Regime on Copyright and Related Rights (Decisión Andina No. 351. Régimen Común sobre Derecho de Autor y Derechos Conexos)
Colombia has a copyright regime under the Law No. 23. However, the exceptions does not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Arts. 31-44 list the exceptions, which include the use of literary or artistic works or parts thereof, as illustrations in works intended for educational purposes; the reproduction, distribution, and communication to the public of news or other information relating to facts or events that have been publicly disseminated by the press or by broadcasting; among others.

Moreover, Colombia 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.
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Since June 1971, last amended in January 2022

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Sub-pillar Commercial presence requirement for digital services providers
Commerce Code (Código de Comercio)
Art. 471 of the Commerce Code stipulates that for a foreign company to engage in "permanent" business in Colombia, it must set up a branch domiciled in the country. According to Art. 474 of the Code, activities deemed "permanent" include:
- Opening commercial establishments or business offices;
- Intervening as a contractor of works or of provision of services;
- Obtaining a concession from the Colombian State (or if the State has formally given up rights through another title), or participating in some way in the exploitation of a concession;
- The fact that associate assemblies, board of directors, or administration of a foreign company, are operating in the national territory.
Coverage Horizontal

COLOMBIA

Since June 1971, last amended in January 2022
Since July 2009, last amended in July 2021

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Sub-pillar Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Commerce Code (Código de Comercio)

Law No. 1,341 Issues principles and concepts on the information society and the organization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), creates the National Spectrum Agency [...] (Ley No. 1341 Por la cual se definen principios y conceptos sobre la sociedad de la información y la organización de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), se crea la Agencia Nacional de Espectro [...])
If the purpose of the company is to exploit or manage a public service, it must appoint a legal representative who must be a Colombian citizen (Arts. 473 and 472 of the Commerce Code). This is the case for telecommunication providers since the provision of networks and telecommunication services is deemed a public service (Art. 10 of Law No. 1,341).
Coverage Telecommunications sector

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