Newsletter - Latin America IP SME Helpdesk

Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team has just published a new intellectual property (IP) factsheet on Argentina which is a comprehensive document covering all IP-related issues you should know before doing business in the country.

Our team team has just released a brand-new factograph that provides insightful information about the specifics of intellectual property (IP) in Brazil. This document encompasses key IP characteristics as well as recent developments in the field of IP.

Board games have seen an outstanding comeback, capturing the interest of players of all ages in an increasingly digital environment. In this blog post, we explore the recent growth in popularity of board games and how it connects with intellectual property (IP), which provides both legal protection and an opportunity for creativity.

We've enriched our E-Learning section with additional modules focusing on intellectual property (IP) in Latin America. Explore our extensive collection of online resources, all customized based on your area of interest or the country you're interested in.

On 13 November 2023, in Copenhagen, Denmark, the president of Brazil's National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the Director General of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO) signed an official document outlining the third phase of their cooperation in industrial property. Initiated in 2018, this collaboration focuses on strengthening the examination and protection of intellectual property (IP) assets in Brazil, promoting innovation and commercialisation, and strategically using IP in Latin American industrial policies.

The Cuban Industrial Property Office (OCPI) has informed the International Bureau that it will start functioning as a depositing and accessing office of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Digital Access Service starting from 1 January 2024. This service is often utilized in the context of patent applications and related intellectual property (IP) matters. The involvement of OCPI in this service enhances global collaboration and accessibility in the field of IP.

World Intellectual Property Indicators report analyses intellectual property (IP) activity around the globe. Recently published Report finds that Latin America and the Caribbean countries experienced 7.5% growth in number of patent grants and 4.5% increase in trademark registrations. According to the findings, Brazil (+13.6%) and Mexico (+9.0%) were among the top 20 countries for industrial design registrations.

The Executive Director of the National Registry Center (CNR), Camilo Trigueros, and the Director General of Customs of El Salvador (DGA), José Benjamín Mayorga, signed an important inter-institutional cooperation agreement on compliance with intellectual property (IP). This agreement is expected to increase positive compliance rates regarding the protection of IP at the Salvadorian customs.

The long-running dispute between Apple and Gradiente over the use of the iPhone trademark in Brazil has been the subject of much debate. The Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) decided that Gradiente and Apple could both use the trademark, but with some limitations: Gradiente can only use the term "iPhone" in its specialised form, "Gradiente iPhone," while Apple is free to use the phrase "iPhone" at all times. Gradiente's appeal resulted in a partial ruling in favour of Steve Jobs' company; nevertheless, the issue is still pending and a final determination date has not been established.

Internationalisation is an ongoing process that requires flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of diverse markets. In this training session, you can expect to hear about the common needs of small and medium-sized enterprises abroad in terms of registration and use of intellectual property rights and how they can affect your company's interests.

Organised by the Clust-ER GREENTECH in partnership with Latin America IP SME Helpdesk and CIFLA for the Technopole of Ravenna (Italy), the webinar 'Chile and Brazil markets - Internationalisation and protection of Intellectual Property'' will explore the internationalisation process, specifically addressing the safeguarding of intellectual property (IP) within foreign markets. One of our IP experts will participate the training session to deliver a free of charge training session on IP protection in those countries.