Archive

The Communications & Information Technology (CIT) Department is dedicated to help overcome the legal challenges presented to our clients by the internet, telecommunications and the new technology industries. The expertise of our CIT lawyers makes ICAZA, GONZALEZ-RUIZ & ALEMAN the leading law firm in Panama in this area of business, delivering expert tailor-made solutions to e-business and technologies issues.

Our partners hold positions at the Society for New Technologies and Law, which advises the government on legislation and related issues and consequently remain in contact with any existing or eminent developments.

Our CIT team deals with all legal aspects related to:

• E-commerceTelecommunications
• Copyright
• Domain protection
• Cyber-crimes
• Data and software protection
• E-banking
• Taxation on the Internet
• Data privacy

Past projects include legal advice to the banking sector in relation to the establishment of e-banking services, ATMs, software development, software platforms implementation. Clients include among others AT & T, Dell Inc., International Bank of Costa Rica, Global Bank Corporation, the National Pensions Fund, Tecnasa.

The country has recently entered a period of coordinated activity that already is bearing fruits, making Panama a choice destination for the telecom industry. Following the deregulation of the market, the state has been committed in backing the sector’s development with new legislation, intensive investment, tax-free status for operations, special labor incentives, and educational grants.

Our staff can help to establish the corporate structure that will meet the client needs and allow them to benefit from all applicable tax advantages. Our experience in obtaining swiftly all concessions, licenses and registrations that are required by law in order to start operating a telecommunication business, as well as in the processes of negotiating and drafting of interconnection agreements, telecommunication service agreements, price agreements, confidentiality (privacy) issues and in the past we have negotiated such matters with the incumbent operator Cable & Wireless and Bellsouth. Further to that we can advise on the legal aspects of equipment acquisition and financing techniques.

ICAZA GONZALEZ-RUIZ & ALEMAN regularly advises on a range of other issues that are relevant to the parties, such as compliance and regulations, competition, consumer protection, privacy, and disputes among providers. Our law firm in particular has often represented clients in front of the Telecommunications & Public Services Regulator, and the Consumer Association with regards to competition & customer protection matters and mediation processes.

An area of recent growth for us has been the Call Center industry in Panama, and we have acted for Dell Panama (subsidiary of Dell Inc.) in what has been recognized as a key deal for the sector, advising on all the stages that led to the establishment of their call-center in the future special economic zone of the reverted former U.S Air Force Howard Base. We have been able to achieve for our client a highly competitive commercial advantage, securing all available public backing, negotiating property leases, licenses, and advising on employment issues and financing.