The new Regulations strengthen electronic proceedings before IMPI and establish operational rules on trademarks, renewals, geographical indications, enforcement proceedings and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
On April 28, 2026, the Regulations of the Federal Law on the Protection of Industrial Property were published in the Federal Official Gazette. The new Regulations repeal the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law and implement various provisions introduced by the current legislation and its recent amendments.
The Regulations provide for a 60-business-day period to facilitate the operational transition of users and authorities to the new framework. They also establish that the online infringement procedure will be implemented at a later stage, once the corresponding specific provisions are issued.
More broadly, the new framework strengthens electronic proceedings before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (“IMPI”), develops rules applicable to several procedures and provides greater clarity on matters that had required further definition since previous reforms, including the 2018 trademark reform.
Key changes include:
• Entry into force and transitional regime. Pending matters will continue to be processed under the provisions in force at the time they were filed. However, certain ongoing proceedings may, where applicable, benefit from new tools introduced by the Regulations, particularly in relation to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Electronic proceedings, signatures and notifications. The Regulations provide greater detail on online filings and proceedings, including electronic signatures, digital case files and electronic notifications. This reinforces the importance of closely monitoring deadlines and communications issued through IMPI’s systems.
• Trademark coexistence and consent. Specific rules are introduced regarding express consent between rights holders for the coexistence of distinctive signs, providing greater clarity on the requirements and scope of these arrangements in administrative practice.
• Declarations of use and renewals. The Regulations clarify operational aspects relating to declarations of use and renewals, including circumstances in which non-compliance may lead to automatic consequences such as expiration of the registration.
• Appellations of origin and geographical indications. The applicable framework is developed in greater detail, including procedural and operational rules that may be relevant to different participants across production and commercial chains.
• Enforcement and proceedings. Several aspects of infringement proceedings, inspections and enforcement measures are further developed, with express references to the digital environment, including online platforms and accounts.
• Technology transfer and alternative mechanisms. The Regulations include provisions on the registration of technology transfers and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as administrative conciliation, expanding the tools available for dispute management and legal strategy.
The Regulations provide greater operational clarity to Mexico’s industrial property system and, in particular, to electronic proceedings before IMPI. Their practical implementation will require close monitoring, especially regarding the launch of online infringement proceedings and the criteria adopted by the authority in applying the new provisions.
Von Wobeser y Sierra is available to assess the implications of the new Regulations and assist rights holders, applicants and companies in adapting their industrial property protection and enforcement strategies.
