Everything you need to protect your trademark in Mexico with the IMPI, explained step by step. Updated with the 2026 amendment to the Federal Industrial Property Law.
Mexico is Latin America's leading economy and one of the largest e-commerce markets. It operates under the "first-to-file" principle: the mark belongs to whoever files first with the IMPI, not whoever used it first. If you sell on Mercado Libre or TikTok Shop Mexico, your U.S. or Chinese mark does NOT protect you here — a third party could register your name before you and then block your sales.
In Mexico you can register word marks, composite marks (text + logo), figurative marks (logo only), 3D marks, sound marks, and trade slogans. Generic or descriptive terms cannot be registered. A distinctive name has a higher chance of approval.
Foreign applicants must file through a legal representative domiciled in Mexico. You need: the applicant's name and address, a graphical representation of the mark, a specific description of goods or services (in Spanish), and payment of the official fee per class.
1) Availability search to rule out conflicts; 2) Preparation and filing of the application with the IMPI; 3) Publication in the Gazette and a one-month opposition period; 4) Issuance of the registration certificate. Under the 2026 amendment, the IMPI must decide within a maximum of 5 months.
Registering a trademark in one class costs from $5,000 MXN with Marcaron (search, documents, filing, and follow-up included). The full process usually takes 4 to 6 months. Each additional Nice class costs extra.
A trademark is protected by class. The Nice Classification divides goods (classes 1-34) and services (classes 35-45). Choosing the right class is key: electronics = class 9, apparel = class 25, online retail services = class 35. See our class finder.
Describing products generically (the IMPI requires a specific Spanish description), choosing the wrong class, failing to respond to an official action on time, or registering only abroad believing it protects you in Mexico. Avoid these with professional advice.
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