Newsletter - Latin America IP SME Helpdesk

The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team has just released a new infographic highlighting the specific aspects of data protection in Latin American countries. Take a look at the infographic to learn more about these particularities!

Recently, Peru and Mexico confirmed that they have signed the new World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. This treaty aims to increase transparency and prevent the misuse of patents on these resources and knowledge.

Brazil's National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) has announced that it is reaching its annual limit of 800 applications for the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot project in 2024. Once this limit is reached, the INPI will no longer accept new PPH applications for the remainder of the year.

The European Patent Office (EPO) and the National Institute of Industrial Property of Chile (INAPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the PPH pilot program on 11 July 2023. The program commenced on 1 June 2024, and will run for three years until 31 May 2027, with the possibility of adjustments by mutual consent along the way.

On 4 June, Uruguay's Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved the country's accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Once ratified by the Senate, the treaty will be submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

On 23 May, Peru's National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) launched an online register of individuals and companies sanctioned for copyright infringement. This initiative aims to make the sanctions imposed transparent and provide a tool for public consultation.

Joining forces with the India IP SME Helpdesk, the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk is organising a webinar on how to register trademarks using the international Madrid system. The webinar will cover essential requirements, benefits, and potential drawbacks. A special guest from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) will provide insights into the SME Fund and how to leverage it to cover up to 50% of official fees.

This training session aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to leverage intellectual property (IP) rights effectively, drawing inspiration from the International Olympic Committee's successful revenue generation strategies. Participants will learn how to identify valuable IP assets, create profitable partnerships, and manage IP-related legal and compliance issues, ensuring sustainable revenue growth for their organisations.