Uruguay officially joins the Patent Cooperation Treaty

Recently, Uruguay officially joined the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), marking an important step for the country in terms of intellectual property protection. Since January 7, 2025, the PCT has officially come into effect in Uruguay, and the Uruguayan Patent and Trademark Office (DNPI) has also issued Resolution 1/2025, laying the foundation for the legal framework for PCT applications. Here are a few key points of the new regulations:

• National phase application deadline: The national phase application deadline in Uruguay is 30 months from the priority date.
• Application Language: Spanish is specified as the only accepted language for application.
• National phase: Only international applications filed on or after January 7, 2025 will enter the national phase. Applicants should pay attention to this date so that they can plan their application time appropriately.
• Legal equivalence of PCT and national applications: PCT applications filed internationally have the same legal status as national applications, and the international filing date is regarded as the national filing date, making the application process seamless.
• Priority restoration processing: The applicant needs to submit a statement explaining the delay and pay the corresponding fee to restore the expired priority. This requires the explanation of "due care" or "unintentional error", which is also one of the professional consulting services that Yezhima can provide to customers.
• Filing applications using the ePCT system: Uruguayan citizens or residents may file applications through the WIPO ePCT system, selecting the DNPI as receiving Office.
• International filing fee reduction: Nationals or residents of Uruguay can enjoy a 90% reduction on the international filing fee.
• Recognized International Searching Authorities: Uruguay recognizes several international search authorities, including those in Chile, Brazil, Spain, Europe, the United States, Singapore and Japan, providing a variety of options for patent searches.

This development in Uruguay not only benefits Uruguayan inventors, but also enhances the country's attractiveness for international business projects seeking strong IP protection. We will continue to pay attention to the latest regulations of the DNPI and provide timely professional support and advice to our clients to help them better adapt to and take advantage of this change. We look forward to helping companies stand out in the global market through our professional services.