IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. The substantive examination starts automatically, and there is no need for the applicant to submit a separate request for substantive examination. No special requirements or fees. Expedited examination can be requested through the Patent Prosecution Highway. The time limit for responding to the Office Action Notice is 2 months from the date of issue, which can be extended once (2 months).
yes
6-8 months
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
- IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of designs. Substantive examination begins automatically, without a request.
25 years
3-5 years
1-2 years
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 utility model to invention within 3 months of filing the utility model patent application, or within 3 months from the date when IMPI requires the applicant to make the conversion, after paying the relevant fees.
- Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted registration fee within 2 months after receiving the granted decision notice, and pay the annual fee for the first to third 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.