Newsletter - Latin America IP SME Helpdesk

Consequences of Not Registering Your IPRs in Latin America

Costa Rica has signed a landmark validation agreement with the European Patent Office (EPO). This milestone makes Costa Rica the first country in Central America to allow European patents to be validated within its jurisdiction, strengthening international cooperation and intellectual property protection.

Starting 1 December 2024, applicants with successful outcomes from the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) can benefit from expedited processing at the European Patent Office (EPO) through a newly launched Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot. Additionally, the highly effective PPH pilot with the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI Brazil) will be extended for another five years from the same date.

On 6 December, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the presidents of the four Mercosur countries—Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Argentina’s Javier Milei, Paraguay’s Santiago Peña, and Uruguay’s Luis Lacalle Pou—concluded negotiations on a landmark EU-Mercosur partnership agreement. This agreement comes at a pivotal moment for both regions, offering significant opportunities for mutual benefits through enhanced geopolitical, economic, sustainability, and security cooperation.

The Andean Community (CAN) has introduced a new design manual to unify its visual identity across Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The guide incorporates modern design with vibrant colors and indigenous patterns, reflecting the region's cultural and natural diversity.

The Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) has announced that it will begin to accept trademark registration applications containing advertising elements such as slogans.