COVID-19. Mexican Patent and Trademark Office (IMPI) Update

April 16, 2020

As we previously informed, on March 23, 2020, in view of the contingency measures adopted to prevent the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the Mexican Patent and Trademark Office (IMPI) issued a decree suspending and interrupting terms from March 24 to April 19, 2020 and stating that the office would remain open to the public, being possible to file applications and briefs.

Thereafter, on March 26, 2020, IMPI issued an additional decree suspending all its activities from March 27 to April 19, 2020, stating however that on-line new applications could still be pre-filed, being necessary to digitally sign the same until April 20, 2020 date on which the application number would be assigned.

IMPI has now issued a statement informing that as from today, April 16, 2020, it will be possible to digitally sign not only new online applications but also online motions related to cases prosecuted already on line.

Additionally, IMPI has issued a decree extending the suspension of activities and interruption of terms until April 30, 2020. Having in mind that May 1^st is Labor day, up to this moment IMPI will not resume normal activities until May 4^th.

The decree has been published today in the Mexican Industrial Gazette today and it is expected that tomorrow is published in the Federal Official Gazette.

OLIVARES will keep monitoring and informing regarding any updates.