Utility Models

It is an alternate protection for innovations characterized by a lower degree of technological development in objects, appliances, utensils or tools. Unlike patents, the criteria for protection do not involve inventive step as such for this type of registrations. For protection of Utility Models, our service starts from rendering a preliminary opinion on the registrability of the new model, and continues with the drafting of the specification (description, claims and abstract) and drawings, and any other documentation required for completing the new application. Utility model registrations are granted for a non-extendable period of 10 years running from the date of filing of the corresponding application subject to the payment of the annuity fees when due.

Industrial Designs

This type of registration comprises the following two options:

• Industrial Models.- Any tridimensional shape that serves as a model or pattern for the manufacture of an industrial product, giving it a special appearance that does not involve any technical effects.

• Industrial Designs.- Any combination of shapes, lines or colors incorporated into an industrial product for ornamentation purposes and that give it its own and peculiar aspect.

For protecting Industrial Designs, first we render a preliminary opinion on the registrability of the new design and continues with the drafting of the specification and drawings, and any other documentation required for completing the new application. Industrial design registrations are granted for a non-extendable period of 15 years running from the date of filing of the corresponding application subject to the payment of the annuity fees when due.

Trademarks

Due to the undisputable value of a trademark as a valuable commercial asset and the growing diversification of trademarks and service marks, and the inevitable interaction with others, we are committed to offering our customers an adequate opinion on the viability of registration of a mark prior to filing the corresponding application before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI). Also, we provide advice and other recommendations leading to a better and more complete protection of the mark.

The registration of trademarks, according to the different kinds (nominative, figurative, mixed and three-dimensional trademarks) provided for in the Mexican Law, in the corresponding class to which the goods or services belong, and eventually in other classes represents a strategic advantage, which gives its owner the exclusive right to prevent others from marketing goods or services with a confusingly similar mark.

Trademarks are registered in Mexico for a period of 10 years from the date of filing of the application and they can be renewed indefinitely for sucessive periods of ten years by paying the applicable fees.

Additionally, we take care of the international registration of marks under the Madrid Protocol through which the costs of registration and renewal of registered marks in multiple countries are significantly reduced. Also, we provide assistance for responding to oppositions and/or official requirements raised against international applications filed by our customers and foreign partners.

Appellations of Origin

We provide consulting on how to apply the Mexican Institute for the declaration of protection for an appellation of origin and requests for authorization to use it in the terms set out in the Law on Industrial Property.

Copyrights

We also provide support for the protection of literary and artistic works, computer programs (software) and other intellectual works before the National Institute of Copyright (INDAUTOR) for Mexican and foreign clients. Although the copyright exists automatically upon the creation of the intelectual work, it is highly advisable to apply for the registration thereof because the ownership of the rights is recognized only by the official certificate issued by the Registration Authority. This is important especially in the event of copyright infringement either because if you are facing a claim for copyright infringement or because someone is infringing your copyrighted work.

Legal Services

The protection of rights of intellectual property (patents, trademarks and copyrights) is valuable and necessary to obtain ownership of the rights thereof; however, it is even more important for our customers to defend and enforce them against third parties to prevent them from being used without authorization or a license agreement. Consequently, it seeks to ensure that the value of the creative or innovative process and investment of time and financial resources will be properly rewarded by the privilege of the exclusive rights of exploitation made directly by the owner or his authorized licensee. Therefore, when it is necessary to bring actions for fighting an infringement of the rights or actions seeking the revocation or nullity of their own rights, we have an experienced technical/legal team to diligently attend to any contentious issue or dispute related to IP matters. Based on a thorough and objective analysis of the circumstances of the case, we offer our customers an overview of possible actions to bring and expectations of the legal proceedings.

Other Services

• Protection of trade secrets by implementing the necessary actions such as agreements of confidentiality, non-disclosure, collaboration, professional services, etc.
• Drafting of agreements and contracts, licenses of use and other legal instruments for licensing and/or transfer of intellectual property rights.
• Opinions on patentability.
• Opinions on infringement of intellectual property rights.
• Clearance searches and opinions on registrability of marks.
• Prior art searches on inventions.
• Renewal of Trademarks.
• Payment of patent and registration annuities.
• Audits of intellectual Property assets (patents, trademarks and copyrights) to verify their status and proper maintenance and use thereof.
• English-Spanish-English translation of legal and technical documents.
• Design and creation of the brand and corporate image.