COLOMBIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Jaime Trujillo, Juan David Velasco, Natalia Ponce de León and Angelica Navarro, Baker McKenzie S.A.S.
Trade marks classification and practice updates Recent developments in IP in Colombia demonstrate the adoption of the new Nice Classification (13th edi - tion), which introduces changes in product classifica - tion, including: • rescue, safety and emergency goods moving from Class 9 to Class 12; and • electrically heated garments moving from Class 11 to Class 25. Adjustments in the classification of food products. The Colombian Trade Mark Office has begun incorporating AI to enhance the efficiency and speed of trade mark searches. At the same time, the international IP sys - tem is increasingly integrating advanced tools, includ - ing image similarity search, automated assistance in the Vienna Classification, retrieval of word marks, and pre-examination data extraction. In parallel, Official Communication No 002 of 2025, issued by the Trade Mark Office, established strict - er compliance expectations for technology transfer processes involving personal data or technologies designed to process such data. Furthermore, a legal interpretation released in February 2026 provided additional clarity on key aspects such as cross-border data flows, allocation of responsibilities, contractual structures and accountability requirements. Taken together, these developments are not isolated changes but rather part of a broader transformation of Colombia’s IP framework. They signal a shift towards a more integrated and sophisticated system, where AI adoption, data governance and regulatory compli - ance interact to reshape how IP is managed both at an operational and strategic level. Trends in Employment and Compensation Matters Sexual harassment in the workplace An employer’s Workplace Coexistence Committee is no longer competent to investigate cases of sexual harassment. These cases must be exclusively han - dled by senior management and the human resources department, and employers must now establish a sep - arate internal procedure led by the human resources function to receive and address cases and complaints
• incentives for AI research and development – the bill seeks to implement programmes and funding to support AI research; and • protection of fundamental rights – continuous monitoring and oversight will be carried out to clas - sify and mitigate risks, ensuring the safe develop - ment and use of AI. Since late 2024, the Colombian Congress has formed a special Bicameral Commission on Artificial Intel - ligence to support, analyse and build consensus regarding AI-related legislative initiatives. The commission, established by Resolution 02 on 11 September 2024, monitors legislative proposals and assesses future initiatives. It is currently working to shape AI legislation and strengthen the regulatory framework for technological development. Developments in IP Matters Pending comprehensive AI legislation (2026 status) As of early 2026, multiple AI bills, including those introduced in July and October 2025, remain under review by Congress and have not yet been enacted, reflecting an active but still transitional regulatory envi - ronment. Recent proposals include significant penal - ties, such as fines of up to 3,000 minimum wages, operational suspension, or closure of AI-related activi - ties for non-compliance. AI innovation programmes (2026) Initiatives such as the Colombia Inteligente 2026 call, launched by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, promote AI research and development across strategic sectors, focusing on food security, energy transition, healthcare sovereignty, and science for peace. These initiatives aim to strengthen research, technological development, and the adoption of AI, contributing to progress in the following areas: • biodiversity management and bioeconomy; • intelligent agrifood systems; • renewable energy and energy transition; • AI technologies for educational transformation in the regions; and • risk management and wildlife conservation through AI.
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