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

May 14, 2020

As we previously informed, in view of the contingency measures adopted to prevent the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the IMPI suspended its activities and interrupted terms from March 24 to May 31, 2020.

During this period, it has been possible to digitally sign new Patent and Trademark online applications and online motions related to cases of that nature, prosecuted already online.

As well, it has also been possible to file before IMPI motions consisting in responses to official actions related only to trademark matters not prosecuted online, through the so called “trademark electronic window”. However, as stated in previous newsletters, the effectiveness of this tool has not been duly tested.

As from today, May 13^th, 2020, IMPI has implemented an additional tool called “electronic trademark office” allowing the filing of trademark applications (including non-conventional trademarks); renewal petitions; assignment, license and franchise recordal petitions; responses to official actions; oppositions and in general, any proceeding associated to trademark prosecution and maintenance.

It is worth mentioning that the above mentioned tool does not apply to patent and litigious matters.

Our firm celebrates IMPI’s efforts for implementing the “electronic trademark office” and we encourage our clients to use it.

OLIVARES and different Mexican Intellectual Property Associations in Mexico will continue conducting lobbying efforts to persuade IMPI to enable and implement additional mechanisms related to patent and litigious matters.

We will keep monitoring and informing regarding any updates.