Mexico Patent Guide

Registration
A patent can be registered in Mexico pursuant to the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property 2020 which provides for national patent applications.

The following information and documentation is required:

1. a request for the grant of the patent
2. a description of the invention
3. one or more claims and any drawings referred to in the description or any claim
4. applicant’s name, address and nationality
5. certified copy of priority document (if priority is claimed)

It usually takes between three to five years for the Director General of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) to process an application for registration. Paris Convention priority can be claimed. Once the registration is complete IMPI will issue a Certificate of Registration.

Patent Cooperation Treaty
Mexico is signatory to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and accordingly national phase filing of a PCT patent is possible. This is encouraged if you are seeking coverage in another domicile. A PCT application can simplify the process of seeking a patent in countries that are party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

Searches
Whilst there is no requirement to conduct a search in Mexico prior to the filing of an application for registration a search is recommended to ascertain that there will be no discrepancies concerning the innovativeness of the patent. The result can usually be provided within one month.

Annuity Payments
Once a patent has been registered in Mexico there is an annuity payable to the Mexican Government each year.

The first (quinquennial) fee covers all accumulated annuities from the date the application was filed up to the year of the grant of the patent. Thereafter the fee is due on the anniversary of the application date. Annuities for a PCT issued patent are due on the anniversary of the international filing date.

Failure to pay an annuity will result in the rights protected by the registration being placed in abeyance. This will effectively prevent any enforcement action being taken.

A grace period of 180 days, however, is allowed for the late payment of an annuity upon payment of a late fee. After that time the patent application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn or the patent will lapse.

Expiry
A patent registration is valid for 20 years from the date of the grant of the application. Once the registration has expired it cannot be renewed.

Abandonment
Please inform us as soon as possible if you wish to abandon your patent or allow it to lapse so that we can update our records and advise IMPI accordingly. This will avoid us sending out unnecessary Reminder Notices.

Assignment
Please inform us as soon as possible if the patent has been assigned so that we can file an application to record the assignment in Mexico.

To record the assignment of a patent registration the only documentation required is the Deed of Assignment (notarised and legalised / apostilled by the Mexican Consulate) and a Power of Attorney.

It usually takes between three to five months for IMPI to process an application to record an assignment. Once the recording is complete IMPI will issue a Certificate of Assignment.

Change of Particulars
Please inform us as soon as possible if there is any change to the registration so that we can file an application to record the change in Mexico.

To record a change of name and/or address for a patent registration the only documentation required is the document evidencing the change (notarised and legalised / apostilled by the Mexican Consulate) and a Power of Attorney.

It usually takes between three to five months for IMPI to process an application to record a Change of Particulars. Once the recording is complete IMPI will issue a Certificate of Recording showing the change.