IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of designs. Substantive examination begins automatically, without a request.
A 12-month novelty grace period applies if the inventor or his successor has communicated in any form, put the design into practice or made it public at national and international exhibitions.
yes
25 years
1-2 years
15 years
- Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee within 2 months after receiving the notification of granted decision, and pay the annual fee for the first to fifth years at the same time.
- Annuity: Subsequent payment of annual fee every 5 years, overdue payment can be made within the grace period after 6 months, but a penalty must be paid at the same time.
yes
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
Filing Language: Spanish
Necessary documents:
- Exterior Design Picture (Six Views)
- A Brief Description
Attachments (if any):
- Certified Priority Document
- Power of Attorney
- Certified Priority Document
- small entity declaration
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
yes. As long as the application is not abandoned, the patent type can be converted from invention to utility model within 3 months of filing the invention patent application, or within 3 months from the date when IMPI requires the applicant to make the conversion, after paying the relevant fees.