Ley de la Propiedad Industrial
The Ley de la Propiedad Industrial (Industrial Property Law), enacted in 2020, governs the protection of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and trade secrets in Mexico. The law modernized the previous 1991 statute to align with international intellectual property standards, including the USMCA/T-MEC agreement. It establishes requirements for patentability, trademark registration, and the enforcement of industrial property rights. The law is administered by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI).
Legal area: Intellectual property law protects creations of the mind, including patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets.
Year enacted: 2020
Full text: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/ley_propiedad_industrial.htm
Key Provisions
- Art. 4-8: Patentability requirements (novedad, actividad inventiva, aplicación industrial)
- Art. 22-27: Patent term (20 years from filing)
- Art. 87-98: Trademark registration and protection (marcas)
- Art. 99-107: Industrial designs (diseños industriales)
- Art. 163-170: Trade secrets (secretos industriales)
- Art. 171-177: Enforcement and remedies (protección de los derechos)
- Art. 178-185: International treaties and obligations
Significance
The 2020 Industrial Property Law modernized Mexico’s IP framework in compliance with the USMCA (T-MEC) agreement. The law strengthened trade secret protection, improved trademark examination procedures, and enhanced enforcement mechanisms. Mexico’s IP framework has become increasingly important as the country has become a major manufacturing and innovation hub. IMPI plays a central role in administering and enforcing industrial property rights.