"Latin America IP SME Helpdesk - Newsletter" Newsletter Issues

New Blog Post: Protecting Your Innovative Ideas in Europe Before Your Latin America Journey (28/09/2023)

Latin America IP SME Helpdesk joined forces with the European IP Helpdesk and the European Network of Research and Innovation Centers and Hubs in Latin America and the Caribbean (ENRICH in LAC) for a special content on the Intellectual Property (IP) landscape in Europe. This content summarizes what the current situation with IP protection in the European Union (EU) is, and what is yet to come in the EU Landscape for European small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is indeed a crucial step to protect your ideas in the EU before embarking on your business journey in Latin America or any other region.

Pre-departure IP Training - Business Mission Argentina (03/10/2023)

Jointly organized by Arhipelago, Eurochambres and the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk, this training will provide an insight into the most relevant aspects to bear in mind from an intellectual property (IP) perspective when doing business in Argentina. It will also highlight the services provided by the EU initiatives that support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region

WIPO Global IP Perception Survey 2023: High Awareness Index Scores from Latin America (28/09/2023)

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has published a groundbreaking survey that explores awareness and attitudes towards intellectual property (IP) rights. It stands out as the most comprehensive survey of its kind, drawing insights from 25,000 interviews conducted across 50 countries. According to the survey results, IP awareness and perception vary by IP subject matter and also across and within regions. Consumers from Latin American and Caribbean have relatively higher awareness index scores and perception of IP regarding trademarks, designs and geographical indications (GI).

Green Days at Pollutec Show 2023 (10/10/2023)

The 30th edition of Pollutec, the leading environmental and waste management trade show, brings in over 46 000 professionals for four days of networking and B2B meetings. It has dedicated a special permanent area to display, demonstrate and discuss Sea and Coastline products and solutions which will focus on the maritime health and solutions to halt the rapidly degrading coastline. The representatives of the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk will participate the event to provide jargon-free, first-line, confidential advice on intellectual property and related issues to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Chem-Match: Corporates Meet Startups 2023 "Green & Digital" (26/10/2023)

"Chem-Match: Corporates meet Startups" brings impetus to the chemical open innovation. Like in the successful last 4 editions, the event matches corporates with startups from the fields of chemistry, biotechnology, bioelectronics, environmental technologies and sustainability, digital process management and digital innovation. Our team members will attend the event virtually to meet European small and medium enterprises and startups to present our free of charge first line intellectual property (IP) support services.

New Biennial Work Plan Between EPO and Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (28/09/2023)

The President of the European Patent Office (EPO), António Campinos and the Director General of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), José Sánchez Pérez met in Mexico to review the activities conducted under the strategic partnership agreement. The main focus of the collaboration is to improve the accessibility of the global patent system and provide support to innovators in both Europe and Mexico. During the meeting a new biennial work plan has been signed. This plan is designed to build upon the successful implementation of their previous cooperation efforts and enable the continuation of joint activities.

Global Innovation Index 2023 Science and Technology Clusters: Brazil Is the Sole Top 100 S&T Cluster in Latin America (28/09/2023)

The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual assessment that evaluates and ranks the innovation capacities of countries and economies across the globe. Its primary goal is to pinpoint specific regions characterized by a significant concentration of top-tier scientific and technological advancements. The Index states that science and technology (S&T) clusters in certain emerging economies grew at a particularly fast pace. According to the findings, Brazil with São Paulo, is the sole top 100 (S&T) cluster in Latin America.

Uruguay Will Officially Become a Member of the PCT by the End of 2023 (28/09/2023)

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international treaty that facilitates the filing and protection of patents on a global scale. It simplifies the process for inventors and companies seeking patent protection in multiple countries. Uruguay's accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) has been approved, and it is expected that Uruguay will officially become a contracting state of the PCT by the end of 2023.

Sweden Brazil Collaboration 2023 (01/02/2023)

The Sweden Brazil Collaboration 2023 is a long-term matchmaking event that brings together small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, and Business Support Organizations (BSOs) from Sweden and Europe with potential partners from Brazil. The goal is to facilitate connections and collaborations between these entities. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team will actively participate in matchmaking sessions. During these sessions, they will introduce the free services funded by the European Union for intellectual property (IP) protection and management to the target audience.

Just Published: New NDA Templates Brazil (05/09/2023)

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), otherwise called confidentiality agreements, are private contracts through which valuable information is kept safe. Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team has just published two new NDA templates (in English and Portuguese) that can be used to prevent the disclosure of certain information shared during negotiations.

Riga Food 2023 (06/09/2023)

The B2B Marketplace brings together companies (buyers as well as suppliers) from a large number of countries. This event is a unique opportunity to generate new business contacts and contracts. On 8 September, in collaboration with the India and China IP SME Helpdesk, Latin America IP SME Helpdesk India will perform a training session focused on internationalisation and intellectual property (IP) protection & management in the food sector, for the European small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are interested in doing business in these regions

New Agreement Between Chile and Brazil to Promote the Use of the PCT (05/09/2023)

During the General Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held in Geneva, the Director of National Institute of Industrial Property Ministry of Economy (INAPI), and the Acting President of the National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI), signed a cooperation agreement regarding the services provided by both offices in their roles as International Authorities of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). In this way, the institutions have mutually designated each other to act as ISA/IPEA for PCT for their respective nationals.

Income Derived From the Use of IP is Exempt From the IRAE Tax in Uruguay (05/09/2023)

Uruguay's Free Trade Zones (FTZs) offer various benefits to businesses and investors. In order to draw attention from foreign investors, Uruguay has set several incentives for companies to benefit from when setting up operations in these areas. One of the most significant incentives offered is a favourable tax regime. In Uruguay, income generated from the utilization of intellectual property (IP) and other intangible assets is exempt from the Tax on the Rents and Activities in Uruguay (IRAE), thereby encouraging knowledge-based industries to establish their presence within the FTZs.

Pre-departure IP training - Business Mission Argentina (03/10/2023)

This webinar will provide an insight into the most relevant aspects to bear in mind from an Intellectual Property perspective when doing business in Argentina. It will also highlight the services provided by the EU initiatives that support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

Alimentaria FoodTech (26/09/2023)

Alimentaria FoodTech is the machinery, technology and ingredients event that integrates the value chain of production, processing and preservation of the food and beverage industry. It is a transversal show that serves the food and beverage production industry from raw materials to commercial distribution. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk will be present at the event to offer accessible and confidential guidance on intellectual property matters and associated issues to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Nordic Innovation Fair 2023 (25/09/2023)

Nordic universities create significant potential for translating early-stage research-based inventions into products and services which benefit society. However, to realise the full potential, it requires support from external business partners. The Nordic Innovation Fair will showcase up to 130 business opportunities, offering a free and unique matchmaking and networking opportunity by bringing together all stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem. Our team will attend the event to meet European small and medium enterprises and introduce Latin America IP SME Helpdesk services.

87th Thessaloniki Trade Fair (09/09/2023)

The annual event Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) presents new ideas and proposals to the market on issues of technology, innovation, environmental protection, energy, education, start-ups, and e-governance essentially reflecting the modern socio-economic reality of the country. This year, TIF will be enriched by a multitude of events and original tributes, attracting the interest of all ages. The representatives of Latin America IP SME Helpdesk will be there to provide jargon-free, first-line, confidential advice on intellectual property (IP) and related issues to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

New Technical Note Regarding the Term "Cachaça" in Geographical Indications (05/09/2023)

The Permanent Committee for the Improvement of Procedures and Examination Guidelines for Trademarks, Industrial Designs, and Geographical Indications (CPAPD) published a Technical Note aiming to improve internal processes while respecting current legal norms and societal expectations. The CPAPD acknowledged that "cachaça" is a recognized and traditional Brazilian beverage that originated in sugar mills in past centuries. Furthermore, "Cachaça" is a product that adheres to official standards of identity and specific qualities.

Sweden Brazil Collaboration 2023 (01/02/2023)

Sweden Brazil Collaboration 2023 is a long term matchmaking event where Swedish and European/SMP small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups and Business Support Organisations (BSOs), will have the opportunity to connect with potential partners from Brazil. Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team will actively participate in both matchmaking sessions (online and in-person) to present the free EU-funded services on intellectual property (IP) protection and management to the target audience.

Deputy Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Mexico: "Latin America IP SME Helpdesk is a great opportunity for European SMEs" (31/07/2023)

During the ExpHotel 2023 our team had a chance to meet with Sergio Rubio, the Deputy Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Mexico. In this video, Sergio Rubio highlights the role of Chamber of Commerce in assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) relocate to Mexico as well as their views on EU-funded services provided by the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk.

INAPI Launches: New Green Patent Programme (31/07/2023)

INAPI, the National Institute of Industrial Property in Chile has introduced a groundbreaking Green Patent Program aimed at expediting the patent application process for environmentally friendly innovations. This initiative seeks to reduce the average processing time for green patents by up to a third, providing a faster and more efficient route for innovators to secure protection for their sustainable developments.

Fi South America 2023 (08/08/2023)

Fi South America is an annual trade show and exhibition taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that showcases the latest trends, innovations, and developments in the food and beverage industry within the South American region. Our team will be present at the trade fair to introduce the services provided by the Latin America IP Helpdesk to the EU/SMP small and medium enterprises (SMEs) interested in, or already doing business in the region.

A Mexican SME Is Among the Winners of the 2023 WIPO Global Awards (31/07/2023)

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Awards program has announced the results of its 2023 competition, celebrating winners who have used intellectual property (IP) not just for business success, but also as catalyst for economic, social, and cultural impact. This year small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from China, France, Kenya, Mexico, Singapore, and Slovenia are the winners of the second edition of the annual competition.

Blog Post: IP in the E-commerce Sector in Latin America (Part 1-2) (31/07/2023)

Given that we live in a globally connected economy that allows for global business, intellectual property rights (IPRs) play a critical role in electronic commerce in today's digital economy. Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team recently published two-parts blog post highlighting the important aspects of IP in e-commerce in Latin American countries.

INDECOPI Peru Announces: 25% Reduction in Trademark Registration Fees for Micro and Small Sized Companies (31/07/2023)

The recent decision by Indecopi Peru to reduce the trademark registration fee by 25% for micro and small companies is a significant step in supporting and promoting intellectual property rights (IPRs) for small businesses in the country. This reduction in registration fees will likely encourage more micro and small companies to seek trademark protection, enabling them to safeguard their brands and products in the marketplace.

New Agreement Between INAPI Chile and the EPO: PPH and More (31/07/2023)

The National Institute of Industrial Property in Chile (INAPI) and the European Patent Office (EPO) have signed a Reinforced Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a duration of 5 years. The MoU encompasses an agreement on a new Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) as well as further aspects the cooperation ties between the two Offices that fulfil the role of ISA/IPEA of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

CarIPI Publishes: New Manual on Types of Marks and Distinctiveness of Trademarks (31/07/2023)

The CarIPI has recently published a manual "Types of Marks and Distinctiveness of Trade Marks." This manual serves as a comprehensive guide for both trademark applicants and examiners on understanding different types of marks and how to assess their distinctiveness during the examination process, particularly focusing on absolute grounds for registration.

New WIPO Report on Sustainable Innovation: Latin American IPOs Make Serious Effort (31/07/2023)

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has just published a report titled "Intellectual Property Offices and Sustainable Innovation - Implementing the SDGs in National Intellectual Property Systems" with the aim of identifying examples of intellectual property (IP) offices using best practises to support the accomplishment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). According to the report, Latin American countries use their IP systems to take some important steps towards proactively addressing the region's social and environmental concerns.

GreenOffshoreTech Brokerage Event (05/07/2023)

GreenOffshoreTech is a Cluster Facilitated Project with the purpose of supporting innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), fostering development of the emerging Blue Economy industries. Featuring a virtual matchmaking and a brokerage event, this year the GreenOffshoreTech is open for all SME, enterprises, research institutions and universities as well as NGOs, who would like to connect, exchange ideas and find out about potential cooperations in the blue economy. As Latin America IP SME Helpdesk Team, we look forward to meeting SMEs and start-ups and introducing our free-of-charge services on intellectual property (IP) protection as well as enforcement in Latin America.

New Blog Post: Brazil Joins the Hague Agreement (30/06/2023)

Following Mexico, Brazil has just joined the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, expanding the geographical reach of World Intellectual Property Organisation’s system to 96 countries. As of August 1, 2023, Brazil is set to become the second country in Latin America to be a party to the agreement. Happy reading!

EU-Chile: Modernised Agreements on Protection of Chilean and European Wines and Spirits (30/06/2023)

On 9 March, the modernised EU-Chile agreements on wines, spirits, and aromatised wines came into effect. These updated agreements aim to enhance bilateral trade in these products and play a significant role in agricultural trade for both the European Union (EU) and Chile. By modernising the agreements, it becomes easier to revise them in the future to ensure they align with any changes in the protected conditions of wines, aromatised wines, and spirits in both Chile and the EU.

EU Business Support – Latin America (11/07/2023)

Eurochambres and the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk are glad to announce the online event “EU Business Support – Latin America". The event will mainly focus on the benefits of the EU-funded projects supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Business Support Organizations (BSOs) that are interested or already active in the Latin American market. During the session, the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk, ENRICH in Latin America and Caribbean, the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator and AL-INVEST Verde will present their activities and/or their services.

DINAPI Paraguay: Sound Mark Registration Will Become Official (30/06/2023)

The Paraguayan IP Office (Dirección General de Propiedad Intelectual - DINAPI) has initiated a cooperation agreement with the National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) to facilitate the formal registration of sound marks in Paraguay. This collaboration aims to establish a framework for recognizing and protecting sound marks, providing a new avenue for businesses to register their unique audio identifiers.

PPH Program Between EPO and INDECOPI Became Permanent (30/06/2023)

A Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) cooperation facilitates the collaboration of intellectual property (IP) offices and enables a multilateral work-sharing agreement. The PPH program between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Intellectual Property Protection of Peru (INDECOPI) has been made permanent.

Legislative update in Argentina: “Partial Revocation” for Non-Use of Trademarks (30/06/2023)

As of 12 June 2023, the "partial revocation" for non-use of trademark registration has entered into force in Argentina. Under this provision, trademarks that have not been used within the country for a continuous period of five years prior to the initiation of the non-use cancellation action are susceptible to invalidation.

INPI-AR Announced Their Decision on Joining DesignClass (30/06/2023)

On 12 May 2023, The National Institute of Industrial Property of Argentina (INPI-AR) declared its intent to join DesignClass which is a search and translation tool for the product indicators required to apply for design protection. With that decision, Argentina begins to adopt the Harmonised Database of Product Indications (HDBPI) list of terminology in DesignClass.

New Blog Post: All You Need to Know About Non-Disclosure Agreements in Brazil (31/05/2023)

For a company to be competitive in the market and achieve its business objectives, its valuable intangible assets– such as confidential information– must be protected. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team recently published a new blog post delving deeper into the Non-Disclosure Agreements in Brazil. Enjoy the read!

EC Publishes Report on Intellectual Property Rights in Third Countries: Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador Remain As Priority 3 (31/05/2023)

The European Commission (EC) recently published its biennial Report on the “Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in third countries” which identifies so-called ‘priority countries’ in which the state of IPR protection and enforcement is a source of major concern. The report finds that some of the Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador remain as priority 3 for the European Union (EU).

INPI Brazil Publishes Its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan (31/05/2023)

The Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) recently released its action plan for the years 2023-2026. The automation of the patent flow, the review of trademark examination procedures, the quality of examination compliance and putting Hague Agreement into operation are the topics included in the strategic plan.

INPI and the USPTO Discuss Collaboration Initiatives for 2023 (31/05/2023)

Representatives from the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) met this year to consider extending ongoing measures by strengthening technical cooperation between the two organisations. In addition to exchanging general information, the Hague Agreement, Madrid Protocol, and other initiatives in diversity and equality were also part of the discussion.

DINAPI Implements the Use of EUIPO's TMclass System (31/05/2023)

TMclass is an administrative tool designed by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to help the user know where a product or service (term) can be classified before registering a trademark. As of 8th May 2023, the Paraguayan National Directorate of Intellectual Property (DINAPI) has implemented the TMclass system. DINAPI will use and accept the terms from the alphabetical list of Nice in TMclass (in Spanish).

Dublin Tech Summit 2023 (31/05/2023)

The Dublin Tech Summit (DTS) is a two-day conference at the heart of the international tech scene gathering the global community of innovators and tech leaders. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team will take part in the event to meet participants who would like to learn more about intellectual property (IP) protection and management in Latin American countries.

Business Opportunities & Intellectual Property in South America (13/06/2023)

Joining forces with the State of Bavaria Office for South America and AHK Chile, Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team organizes a new webinar "Business Opportunities & Intellectual Property in South America". This webinar will provide insights into the economic challenges and opportunities in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru, as well as their particularities in terms of intellectual property (IP).

EBN Congress 2023 (14/06/2023)

The EBN Congress unites people around the potential of scientific breakthroughs, entrepreneurship and company creation to drive sustainable economic development and greater well-being in Europe and beyond. Our team will join this largest gathering of European incubators, accelerators, science parks, innovation centres, and innovation supporters to SMEs that operate or intend to access the Latin American market and look to improve their global competitiveness.

EXPHOTEL 2023 (13/06/2023)

Expo Hotel has established itself as the most anticipated International Business Forum in the HORECA sector. As Latin America IP SME Helpdesk Team, we look forward to meeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups at the event and introducing our free-of-charge services on intellectual property (IP) protection as well as enforcement in Latin America.

How to Protect Your Intellectual Property Rights at Trade Fairs Internationally? (20/06/2023)

Trade fairs are becoming constantly challenging since we live on a time for innovation and new technologies but also fraud and counterfeiting. In this training session, our expert speakers will provide insight into the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection at trade fairs and what to do in case of infringement in the target market. Participants will also hear about how best practices are developed, how to choose the right strategy and the ways of identifying risks before they occur.

Torino Fashion Match 2023 (28/06/2023)

Torino Fashion Match is an international event of bilateral meetings supporting businesses to innovate and grow internationally. The event is an excellent forum for SMEs and start-ups who want to generate new business opportunities in the fashion and textile industry. Joining forces with the experts from the India IP SME Helpdesk and Africa IP SME Helpdesk, the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk will explain the importance of IP protection in this sector during a dedicated training session "Intellectual Property Rights in Fashion and the Creative Industry". The team will also be present at matchmaking sessions to answer related questions.

We Are Happy To Be Back! (26/04/2023)

Happy World IP Day 2023: Empowering and Embracing Women in IPR and Innovation (26/04/2023)

Today, the World IP Day celebrates the ground-breaking work and "can-do" spirit of female entrepreneurs, creators, and inventors globally. Joining forces, the International IP SME Helpdesks published an article compiling initiatives being carried out by different countries and national IP offices to empower women in their IP journey in Africa, China, India, Latin America, and South-East Asia.

Number of Female Inventors Filing Patents in Chile Increased by 27% in 2022 (25/04/2023)

The National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) recently published a study stating that the number total patent applications in Chile increased by 3.3 % in 2022. According to the analysis, the number of female inventors went up by 27% whereas the number of male inventors increased by only 3% compared to the previous year.

The First Quality Index for Latin American Patents (25/04/2023)

Strong technology portfolios help businesses to generate a competitive advantage with their products or services. For these businesses to remain competitive, it can be essential to understand the quality of their patents rather than the quantity of patented inventions. In order to thoroughly evaluate the patent quality in Latin America the first-ever Quality Index has been developed. Have a look at the Index created based on seventeen countries in the region and a 20-year timespan (1997 - 2016).

Brazil and Colombia Outperform in the 11th Edition of the International IP Index (25/04/2023)

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has just released the eleventh edition of the International IP Index benchmarking the IP framework in 55 global economies across 50 unique indicators. Brazil and Colombia outperform their overall Index scores on the category of System Efficiency. The Index reported that a new law in Chile, which entered in to force in January 2022, introduced statutory damages for trademark infringement.

WIPO Records the Highest Number of PCT Filings: Latin America Sees a Slight Increase (25/04/2023)

The number of international patent applications has increased by 0.3% and reached its peak in 2022. Innovators in China, the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Germany have been the top five countries in filings under World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Along with the top five countries, more than a few Latin American countries - Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Argentina Uruguay- have also experienced growth in PCT applications.

Chile Adopts the New Edition of the Nice Classification for Trademarks (25/04/2023)

The Chilean National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) has recently announced that Chile adopts 12th edition of the Nice Classification for trademarks to keep up with the constant evolution of the international market. The new edition also aims to modernize technical criteria for the classification of products and services as well as the correct registration of trademarks.

EU Knowledge Valorisation Week 2023 (25/04/2023)

EU Knowledge Valorisation Week brings together research and innovation actors to exchange experiences, discuss current trends and challenges, and explore valorisation opportunities with various stakeholders. Inspired by the European Year of Skills, the event offers hands-on training for researchers, young innovators, and anyone interested. On 28 April, together with the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the European IP Helpdesk will offer free online courses to improve skills in managing intellectual assets and present the services provided by the International IP SME Helpdesks.

International B2B Software Days 2023 - The Future of Digital Business (08/05/2023)

The 7th edition of International B2B Software Days will concentrate on new business and innovation trends and networking among the participants. The event primarily targets companies and research and development (R&D) institutions looking for technological, research and business co-operations. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team will take part in the event to introduce the free of charge EU-funded services on intellectual property (IP) protection as well as enforcement in Latin America.

Murcia Food Brokerage Event 2023 (11/05/2023)

This year the Murcia Food Brokerage Event will take place from 11 to 16 May and showcase the most recent innovations in the food technology industry. This event will offer businesses from various European countries a great opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the goal of establishing technology cooperation agreements. There will be opportunities for bilateral discussions between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups from Europe and SMP nations to create agreements for technology collaborations. The meetings will be held in a hybrid format on May 11–12 in Murcia and May 15–16 through the b2match platform. Looking forward to meeting you!

Book a meeting with our IP experts (24/05/2022)

Do you want to have a confidential, free-of-charge meeting with an Intellectual Property Expert for IP business-oriented support? Book a meeting now!

Send us your IP queries (19/12/2020)

The Helpline service provides first-line assistance on Intellectual Property protection and IP rights enforcement in Latin America. All questions sent through this service will receive a tailor-made answer by our IP experts or it will be signposted to appropriate organisations within no more than 3 working days.

IP webinars available from any device at any time (26/07/2022)

Are you planning to refresh your IP knowledge during the holidays break? Remember, our intellectual property trainings are available in the most flexible way: you can join our webinars from any device at any time.

Our best wishes for the upcoming year (20/12/2022)

The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk team would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a good start to a successful New Year. We'll be back in January with more IP updates, resources and training events in 2023. Enjoy the holiday season!

Using customs to enforce your IPRs in Brazil (20/12/2022)

Counterfeiting is well-known and broadcast in the media due to the volume of seizures of goods and cases brought to justice. In Brazil, this activity affects mostly trade marks, and to a lesser but also relevant extent, it affects industrial designs, as well as other intellectual property rights, including patents. For this reason, the Brazilian procedure to register a trade mark and its importance are specifically detailed below.

Case Study: Trade mark coexistence agreement in Bolivia (20/12/2022)

A Croatian SME filed a trade mark application to protect its brand “KEKSI” in Bolivia – but it did so without conducting a prior trade mark search. Once the application was published in the Official Gazette of Bolivia, a Bolivian company filed an opposition to this application based on the likelihood of confusion between “KEKSI” and its own prior trade mark “KEKIS”, under which the company commercialised candy and chewing gum...

IP in Argentina in the video games sector (17/11/2022)

We have just published a new infographic focused on the video game sector in Argentina. The Argentine Video Games sector is projected to reach EUR 672 million in 2022. Don't miss the chance to check how to protect your Intellectual Property Rights (i.e. copyright, trade marks, industrial designs and patents) in the video game sector when doing business in Argentina.

Protecting Latin American superfoods (18/11/2022)

The so-called “superfoods” are rich in compounds considered beneficial to a person’s health. Be aware that, in the European Union, marketing products as "superfoods" is prohibited unless accompanied by a specific health claim supported by credible scientific research. Many of these "superfoods" such as avocado, quinoa, açaí berries and cocoa come from Latin America. Here is a quick overview of how Intellectual Property (IP) protection can be used to benefit from these ancient foods and their exploitation.

Enhancing tourism experience through IP (18/11/2022)

IP and innovation applied in the tourism sector represents capacity to support tourism. This means collecting data from various sources, combining it with evolving technologies therefrom and transforming this data into personalised experiences and valuable business propositions.

Why is intellectual property important for your business (18/11/2022)

Intellectual Property is more rooted in our society than you might imagine at first, and it is paramount in the development of new businesses and the growth of existing ones. Why? For four great reasons we explain in this post.

European Innovation Council Summit 2022 (07/12/2022)

The second edition of the European Innovation Council will take place on December 7-8, 2022, at Tour & Taxi in Brussels. The European IP Helpdesk and the International IPR Helpdesks will be present at the EIC Summit with an institutional stand, together with some other EU initiatives, to welcome all participants interested in knowing more about free EU-funded services on internationalisation and IP protection for European SMEs.

High-growth technology business conference 2022 (21/11/2022)

The High-growth Technology Business Conference aims to support business decision makers in technology-driven businesses, especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups by sharing how intellectual property can support their business. This virtual and free-of-charge event is organised by the European Patent Academy of the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI). The HTB conference features four keynote lectures and eight plenary sessions. These will give you the opportunity to meet leading experts in their fields, who will share their latest insights and provide practical takeaway messages.

New case studies on PVRs and GIs in the Dominican Republic (17/11/2022)

The CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Project (CarIPI) has released 4 new case studies on the registration of Plant Variety Rights and Geographical Indications in the Dominican Republic. These case studies are part of CarIPI's Activity 3 of its third Annual Work Plan on case studies and promotion of opportunities for research cooperation, to keep raising awareness on IP tools in the Caribbean.

Open Licensing in Latin America (26/10/2022)

A workable and pragmatic definition of open licensing is a copyright licensing scheme characterised by: a) A general offer that does not require bilateral negotiations to conclude an agreement (the requirements for benefiting from the licence are public and defined upfront, as well as the scope of the open licence) b) Related to all or part of the rights vested in an intellectual property right. While all modalities of intellectual property rights can, in principle, be exploited in open licensing terms, open licences have been mostly used in the copyright realm – their use being merely anecdotal in the case of trade marks and patents. Lately, open licensing has also been used in the framework of data sharing and open data. As opposed to copyright, data regulations are far from being harmonised in Latin America. Hence, the use of open data licences in any Latin American jurisdiction requires a case-by-case study.

IP in the ICT sector (26/10/2022)

EU SMEs have to bear in mind that ICT products are innovation intensive and often require the combination of different technologies to operate. Just think of the mobile sector: smartphones allow you to make calls, take photos, access the Internet, listen to music or make contactless payments. Those activities often involve the implementation of different technologies and creative works for the same product. All these components will most likely require different Intellectual Property Rights to ensure a full and adequate protection of your product.

The Unitary Patent System - A Game Changer for Innovation in Europe (17/11/2022)

The DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is organising an international conference to mark this milestone in the completion of the EU’s single market for innovation. This conference will welcome a host of high-level speakers, including the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market (tbc) and the President of the European Patent Office. They will discuss the various avenues the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court will open up for IP protection, as well as their potential to boost innovation across Europe. It`s an opportunity you cannot miss!

Web Summit Lisbon 2022 (01/11/2022)

Web Summit has become “Europe’s largest and most important technology marketplace”, expecting an attendance of 70,000 people for this year’s edition, including 2000+ start-ups, all active in the tech industry. This is an unrivalled global meeting place for the world’s most disruptive technology companies as well as for those interested in how that disruption can transform their businesses. The Latin America IP SME Helpdesk will attend the event to meet European SMEs and start-ups and answer any IP-related questions they might have in accordance with their internationalisation needs and interests.

Smart City Challenges (15/11/2022)

The Smart City Expo World Congress is back to Barcelona on 15th - 17th November, 2022. SMEs, start-ups, entrepreneurs and BSOs will have the chance to meet during this match-making activity and have a series of 30-minute pre-scheduled B2B and B2P meetings according to their interests and goals. Representatives of the Latin America IP SME Helpdesk and of the India IP SME Helpdesk will attend the event to meet EU SMEs and start-ups and answer any IP-related questions they might have in accordance with their internationalisation needs and interests.

IMPI Mexico implements EUIPO's CP6 (26/10/2022)

Thanks to the joint efforts of both IP Key Latin America and the EUIPO, the Mexican Institute of IP (IMPI) has just found common grounds with the criteria listed under the EUIPO's Common Communication (CP6) — Convergence on graphic representations of designs - Common Communication. The practice document provides a clear and comprehensive explanation of the principles on which the practice is based. As a rule, these will be applied by the IMPI and by the intellectual property (IP) offices that are members of the European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN). The publication of the practice paper seeks to increase clarity, transparency, legal certainty and predictability for the benefit of the users and examiners of the IP offices involved. It is intended to be a reference for IP offices, users of the EU and Mexican IP systems, and other interested parties.

Paraguay extends its PPH PROSUR program for 5 years (26/09/2022)

The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) has been extended for a period of five years between the member states of PROSUR (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, and Uruguay), including Paraguay. This system allows patent applicants in Paraguay, who have obtained a favourable decision at DINAPI Paraguay, to request another PROSUR IP Office to take into account the study carried out by the Paraguayan Office.

Brazil is closer to its accession to the Hague Agreement (26/09/2022)

The Brazilian Chamber has just approved its accession to the Hague Agreement, which will now go to the Senate. Brazil comes a step closer to becoming the 2nd country in Latin America (after Mexico) to enter this International Agreement, that allows industrial designs to be protected in multiple countries or regions with minimal formalities. The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides a practical business solution for registering up to 100 designs in 77 contracting parties covering 94 countries through the filing of a single international application.