Quevedo & Ponce - Legal News

Geographical indications (GIs) are a form of intellectual property protection that recognizes the link between a product and its place of origin. They ensure that the product’s characteristics, quality, or goodwill derive from its geographic environment, helping preserve authenticity, strengthen the local economy, and protect the cultural heritage of communities.

The Constitutional Court of Ecuador declared the total unconstitutionality of the Organic Law of National Solidarity, determining that it was enacted in violation of the principle of unity of subject matter and the ordinary legislative procedure. This decision nullifies the obligations imposed upon Simplified Stock Companies (S.A.S.) and Sports Joint Stock Companies (S.A.D.), restoring the previous regulatory framework and reaffirming both the supremacy of constitutional review and the need of maintaining normative coherence within the Ecuadorian legal system.

Mediation is a conflict resolution process whereby the parties, assisted by a neutral third party called a mediator, seek to reach a voluntary agreement on a negotiable matter, in an extrajudicial and definitive manner. This mechanism promotes fast, confidential, and fair solutions that have the same legal validity as a final judgment, fostering dialogue and a culture of peace in Ecuador.

The Superintendence of Popular and Solidarity Economy (SEPS) has established new rules for the incorporation, governance, and liquidation of communal and savings funds, effective as of November 20, 2025. This regulatory framework strengthens the transparency, monitoring, and financial security, ensuring that these community-based entities can manage resources, grant loans, and contribute to the development of the popular and solidarity economy.

Customs and the National Service for Intellectual Rights work together to protect legitimate trade and prevent counterfeiting, smuggling, and piracy. Through the Customs Intellectual Property Registry, trademark, patent, and copyright holders can register their creations to strengthen protection at the border.

The new Organic Law on the Regulation Against Unfair Competition aims to ensure a fairer and more transparent Ecuadorian market by sanctioning unfair practices such as deceptive acts, unlawful imitation, unfair comparisons, and the misappropriation of trade secrets.

The appointment of a legal representative is far more than a formal requirement: it constitutes a strategic basis that ensures legal certainty, transparency, and the continuity of the company. This article examines the essential elements for a valid appointment, the risks associated with non-compliance, and the significance of electronic signatures in the modernization of corporate management.

Trade dress protects the visual identity of products and establishments, such as packaging, shapes, colors or store decorations that make them unique in the market. In Ecuador, its regulation seeks to safeguard business identity, promote innovation, and prevent unfair competition.

Resolution No. 063-2025 of the Council of the Judiciary establishes a new regulation governing the authorization of minors to leave the country. This normative framework strengthens legal certainty, safeguards the best interests of the child, and prevents risks such as human trafficking or hazardous migration.

The certification of direct substitutes for persons with disabilities is a legal mechanism that ensures care, maintenance, and the protection of both labor and social rights. This regulation, issued by the Ministry of Labor on August 22, 2025, establishes who may act as substitutes, the requirements for obtaining certification, its validity, and the grounds for its termination. It constitutes a key step toward labor inclusion and legal security for families and businesses in Ecuador.

The National Service of Intellectual Rights (SENADI) is part of the AL-INVmentor Andean Countries initiative, within the framework of the AL-Invest Verde program, sponsored by the European Union.

Ministerial Agreement No. MDT-2025-102, issued on August 22, 2025, by the Ministry of Labor, establishes mandatory rules to prevent and address discrimination, violence, and workplace harassment in the private sector in Ecuador. The regulation requires employers to implement an Internal Protocol and psychosocial risk prevention programs, while employees must maintain a respectful environment and report inappropriate behavior. It also regulates the reporting procedure, victim protection, and sanctions, ensuring safe, inclusive, and respectful workplaces for all employees.