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The Brazilian Ministry of Justice has issued a rule for the Program for the Prevention of Antitrust Infractions-PPI by which interested parties may file their Brazilian antitrust laws compliance programs with the Secretariat of Economic Law (SDE) to obtain necessary government certification. The companies must make the filing within sixty days to ensure certification and this certification will help in preventing antitrust violations by companies that file them.

The enactment of the Brazilian Competitive Law, 8884 in June 1994, has aroused many doubts on the correct interpretation of its article 54 that deals with the preventive control of acts and contracts that may harm competition. The far-reaching extent and inaccuracy of the wording of this legal provision prompted doubts and legal insecurity on various aspects is detailed.

Marcelo Mesquita, the head of research at UBS Investment Bank in Brazil, is of the view that there is less opposition to consolidate Brazilian companies than it is for multinationals. The Brazilian government's announcement to give special concessions to information technology, pharma and semi-conductor companies would create a window of opportunity.

The differences that might arise between the Civil Code of Brazil and the International Convention of Warsaw in enforcing the damages for injuries in international transport are discussed. According to the Civil Code the transporter is responsible for the damage caused to the passenger during transport.

The new rules issued by the federal government for the pharmaceutical sector are analyzed. This rule shows the government's efforts to define a new regulatory landmark for this segment.

The board of CADE has fined Matec Tecnologia de Informatica Ltda (Matec) for its unreasonable refusal to sell replacement parts necessary for maintenance of the telephone switchboard. The recent developments in the Brazilian Competition law and the non-competition clause that is limited to five years is discussed.

Brazil has specific competition and antitrust laws since 1960's as well as a specialized regulator Administrative Council for Economic Defense- (CADE); the fact ignored largely by the business community is described. An overview of some recent developments concerning simplification of procedures, filing fee and changes in the administrative structure of CADE, is provided.