Where do you register a trademark in Mexico?

With IMPI (Mexican Institute of Industrial Property). Applications can be filed online through Marca en Línea using the SAT e.firma.

What do I need to register a trademark with IMPI?

The owner's ID, CURP or e.firma, the mark (name and, if applicable, logo), the list of products or services with their class, and the fee for each class.

How long does it take to register a trademark in Mexico?

About six months from filing when there are no objections, according to IMPI. An opposition or an office action can extend it.

How long does a Mexican trademark registration last?

Ten years from the grant date, renewable for equal periods. A declaration of use is due in the third year so it does not lapse.

Can I use the ® symbol before my registration is granted?

No. The ® is only used once the mark is registered. While the application is pending, you can use the legend "Marca en trámite".

How to Register a Trademark in Mexico (IMPI): Requirements and Process

Designing a great logo is half the job. The other half is making sure nobody else can use that name in your industry. In Mexico, that protection comes from registering your trademark with IMPI, and the sooner you do it, the safer your brand is.

I have been designing brands since 1994, and I have seen businesses forced to change their name after years of work because someone else registered it first. Here is the process the way I explain it to my clients.

How to register a trademark in Mexico: the process in 6 steps

What is IMPI and why register your trademark?

IMPI (Mexican Institute of Industrial Property) is the authority that grants trademark registrations in Mexico. A registration gives you the exclusive right to use your brand for the products or services you chose, and lets you act against anyone who copies it.

Having your name in your articles of incorporation, with the tax authority or as a web domain is not the same as a registered trademark. Only an IMPI registration protects your brand.

What types of trademark can I register?

Word mark: the name only, in any lettering.
Design mark: the logo or symbol only, without words.
Combined mark: the name and logo together, exactly as designed.
Others: three-dimensional, sound, scent or trade dress, for special cases.

My practical advice: if your logo may still change, register the name first, since it gives you the strongest protection. Once your logo is final, you can register it as a combined mark. If you want to understand logotypes, symbols and combination marks, read What are the types of logos?

What are Nice classes and how many do I need?

IMPI organizes products and services into the 45 classes of the Nice Classification. Each class is a separate application and fee. Some examples:

Class 25: clothing and footwear.
Class 35: advertising and business management.
Class 41: education, courses and events.
Class 43: restaurants and accommodation.
Class 44: medical and beauty services.

What are the requirements to register a trademark in Mexico?

Owner's ID and, for companies, the articles of incorporation and the representative's power of attorney.
CURP or SAT e.firma (advanced electronic signature): the e.firma is required to file online.
The mark: the exact name and, for design or combined marks, the logo image.
The list of products or services and their class.
Date of first use, if you already use the brand.
The government fee for each class.

What is the trademark registration process step by step?

Clearance search in MARCia, IMPI's public database: check that no identical or similar mark exists in your class.
Choose the type of mark and the classes.
Pay the fees on IMPI's payment portal.
File the application in Marca en Línea with your e.firma. Keep the receipt: the filing date gives you priority.
Examination and publication: IMPI reviews the application and publishes it in its Gazette; for one month, anyone can file an opposition.
Decision and certificate: if everything is in order, IMPI grants the registration and issues your certificate.

How much does it cost to register a trademark in Mexico?

The official cost depends on IMPI's current fee schedule and the number of classes, and it is lower when you file online. Check the updated fee on the official procedure page at gob.mx/impi before paying, because it is updated every year.

How long does trademark registration take in Mexico?

IMPI states that it responds in about six months from filing when there are no objections. An opposition or an office action makes it longer. Meanwhile, you can use your brand with the legend "Marca en trámite" (trademark pending).

How long does a registration last and what comes next?

Term: 10 years from the grant date, renewable for equal periods.
Declaration of use: for registrations granted since August 2018, you must declare in the third year that you actually use your mark. If you don't, the registration lapses.
Renewal: you can file from 6 months before it expires and up to 6 months after.
The ® symbol can only be used once the mark is registered.

Which famous brands had problems for not registering their name in time?

Burger King in Australia. When it arrived in 1971, the name was already registered by a local business, so the chain had to open under a different name: Hungry Jack's, which it still uses today. Read the story of Hungry Jack's
Apple and the iPad in China. Proview owned the iPad trademark in China; in 2012 Apple paid 60 million dollars to end the dispute. Read the story of Proview and the iPad

This guide is general guidance on the process and does not replace advice from an intellectual property attorney. If you receive an opposition, an office action or a refusal from IMPI, or have legal questions about your case, consult a specialist.

How Do You Register a Trademark in Mexico (IMPI)? Requirements and Process