OMC Abogados & Consultores: Intellectual Property Updates in Latin America

As specialists in Intellectual Property in Latin America, OMC Abogados & Consultores informs that during the first months of the year changes have been implemented focused on streamlining procedures and reducing the times to process patents and register trademarks in the region.

Intellectual Property Update in Latin America: Mexico and Argentina announced changes in their processes for patent registration

The modifications announced by the respective authorities of the sector aim to accelerate the substantive examination for patent applications, which in the case of Mexico also includes Utility Models.

The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has ordered the reduction of official actions from four to two for the substantive examination of a patent or utility model application. Likewise, virtual meetings between the applicant and the examiner remain authorized during any stage of said examination, allowing the IMPI representative to propose a technical meeting after the first official action.

For its part, the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) of Argentina, through Resolution INPI N° 142/2026, has established the validity of the following requirements to expedite the process:

- That an equivalent patent already granted abroad exists.
- That the patentability criteria applied by the office of origin match those provided by Argentine legislation.
- That the scope of the claims of the Argentine application is equal to or more limited than that of those granted abroad.
- That the national claims are presented duly translated.
- That no national antecedents exist that affect the patentability of the application.
- That the request is filed before the application is granted or denied in Argentina.
- To pay the fee corresponding to the service

Update: Modifications for trademark registration in Argentina

Through Resolution INPI P-583/25the National Institute of Industrial Property of Argentina (INPI) announced the modifications for trademark registration in Argentina, where substantive and formal examinations will be carried out jointly at the beginning of the registration process. Under this modality, only absolute prohibitions related to public order, lack of distinctiveness, the prior existence of identical trademarks, or the presence of signs contrary to morality and good customs will be reviewed.

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