Mexico

Types of protection

Patent: Any human creation that allows matter or energy existing in nature to be transformed for utilization by man for the satisfaction of his specific needs is considered an invention and is therefore eligible for patent protection. Mexico allows two types of patents: invention patents and method patents. The patent term is 20 years from the filing date.

Utility Model: Objects, utensils, appliances or tools which, as a result of a modification in their arrangement, configuration, structure of form, offer a different function with respect to their component parts or advantages with respect to their use shall be considered Utility Models. Utility Models that are new possessing an industrial application shall be eligible for registration. The term for a Utility Model is 10 years from the date of filing.1

Industrial Design: Industrial Designs are divided into drawings and models. The industrial drawing is a combination of figures, lines or colors that make up the characteristic of a manufactured product. The industrial model is a three-dimensional shape that shows specific appearance of the product without technical effects.2 Industrial Designs that are new and possess industrial application are eligible for registration. To be considered new, a design must be created independently of existing designs or a combination of features of existing designs and differ significantly.3

Convention and treaty membership

Mexico became a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in January 1995 and is also a signatory of numerous treaties and conventions including, but not limited to the following:

  • Paris Convention
  • Budapest Treaty
  • World Intellectual Property Organization
  • International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants5

International, National and Regional applications

For information regarding how to file international, regional or national patent applications in each country, we welcome you to contact us.

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1 https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=128802#JD_MX016EN_A9

2 https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=128802#JD_MX016EN_A9

3 https://ip-science.thomsonreuters.com/m/pdfs/dwpicovkinds/mexico.pdf