Mexico IP Regulation 2026: Comparative Table for Patents and Trademarks

Key Reading

The RLFPPI does not merely fill gaps: it redistributes. It replaces the 1994 RLPI after six years of operating as a supplementary framework for a law that had already surpassed it.

On April 28, 2026, the Mexican Official Gazette (DOF) published the new Regulation of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property (RLFPPI), just twenty-five days after the law itself was reformed in over two hundred articles. This text reorganizes administrative criteria, formalizes practices that operated for years without an express regulatory basis, and redistributes procedural burdens across patents, trademarks, contentious proceedings, digital enforcement, and technology transfer.

The consequence of this lag is documented in the comparative table accompanying this entry. The new regulation does not consolidate or attempt to hide gaps as in the past: it redistributes. It replaces the 1994 Regulation of the Industrial Property Law (RLPI), which for six years functioned as a supplementary framework for a law that had already largely outgrown it.

Those representing rights for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, appellations of origin, or layout designs with active files should not read this regulation as a mere normative update. It should be read as the moment when various administrative practices sustained by custom finally acquire an express formulation—or are partially unauthorized—and as a new starting point for litigation over discretion, procedural burdens, and regulatory limits.

Utility of the Analysis

This table is designed for three primary uses. First, to quickly identify the correlation between the prior and current articles when a pending case—substantiated under the RLPI by mandate of the Third Transitory Article—faces an authority act based on the updated rule.

Second, to detect implicit changes: those that a plain reading of the text does not reveal and that manifest as new burdens for the individual, expansion or restriction of IMPI's powers, or modification of technical criteria regarding evidence, formalities, and deadlines.

Third, to anticipate lines of constitutional challenge regarding regulatory provisions that exceed the scope of the law or improperly develop conduct that the law did not foresee.

Key Data

4 Entirely New Chapters

Online Infringement, Mandatory Patent Resolution, Technology Transfer Registry, and ADR.

⚠ Automatic Lapse

Art. 119 RLFPPI

Automatic lapse without prior declaration if a renewal requirement is not met within two non-extendable months.

Full Digital Blocking

Art. 170 RLFPPI

IMPI may order the complete blocking of digital media when an alleged infringer is unidentified. Compliance term: 3 days.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS: RLPI (1994, last reform 2016) vs. RLFPPI (Official Gazette 2026)

The following table compares, article by article, the 1994 Regulation of the Industrial Property Law (RLPI) against the Regulation of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property (RLFPPI) published on April 28, 2026. Each entry identifies the detected change, classifies it, and, where appropriate, exposes its operational impact on administrative practice and litigation strategy.

CHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS

Applications and Filings

Ch. I — Applications and filings
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Detected Change	Type
1	1	Scope of Regulation	Adds that provisions are of "public order and general observance" and apply without prejudice to international treaties. Reinforces mandatory nature.	Substantive change
2	2	Definitions	RLPI only defined "Secretariat." RLFPPI incorporates 10 definitions: Agreement, Collaboration Agreement, Inter-institutional Agreement, Economic Development Centers for Well-being, Current International Classification, Electronic Media, Online Proceedings, Regulation, Secretariat, Electronic Services of the Institute.	Addition
None	3	Social Focus Programs, Differential Rates, Compliance Badge	Empowers IMPI to establish differential rates, provide training, and grant compliance badges.	Addition / Competence change
None	4	Inter-institutional Agreements in Trademarks	Enables IMPI to enter into agreements to leverage foreign office examinations and protect signs under Art. 173.VII LFPPI.	Addition / Competence change
3	5	Regulatory Authority of the Director General	Expands authority: now covers online proceedings, criteria, and guidelines.	Competence change
None	6	Recognition of Electronic Signatures	IMPI may recognize any electronic signature that complies with regulations.	Addition
4	7	Calculation of Terms in Months/Years	Adds express paragraph for online filings and incorporates specific rule for the three-year term of Art. 233 LFPPI (trademark declaration of use).	Addition / Procedural change
None	8	Additional Terms (Arts. 117, 226, 279 LFPPI)	Clarifies calculation and non-extendable nature. Applicable to online filings.	Addition
4 final para	9	Non-working Days	Adds authority to announce "any suspension of institutional operations."	Competence change
None	10	Official Forms	Full publication in the Gazette + Official Gazette (DOF) + institutional website. Previously (Art. 6 RLPI) only "free copies."	Procedural change / Addition
5	11	General Requirements for Applications	(1) Distinction between physical and electronic filing; (2) signature may be handwritten or recognized electronic; (3) obligation to provide email (Sec. V); (4) distinction between holder, successor, or lien beneficiary status; (5) dismissal for lack of signature; (6) dismissal for failure to exhibit proof of payment after request; (7) express exceptions for administrative declaration and opposition proceedings.	Substantive change + Procedural
5 BIS	12	Place of Filing	Replaces "Secretariat delegations or sub-delegations" with "Economic Development Centers for Well-being in the states." Maintains certified mail and courier.	Competence change / Relocation
5 BIS final para	13	Calculation of Terms by Filing Method	Maintained. Now with express rule for Development Centers.	Relocation
5 TER	14 & 15	One Application per Proceeding + Single Filing for Changes	Split into two articles. Art. 16 mandates individual applications for each patent/registration in notoriety/fame and administrative declaration (nullity/lapse/cancellation/ownership claim) proceedings, and applications per alleged infringer in infringements, as well as per site or establishment if the infringer is unidentified.	Substantive change + New burden
None	16	Individual Application per Act/Party/Site in Contentious Proceedings	Significant economic burden: multiplies rates in cases with multiple alleged infringers or sites.	Addition / Substantive change
7	17	Receipt and Annotations	Removes Art. 7.d RLPI (date and time annotation). Adds electronic receipt rule.	Procedural change
8	18 & 19	Withdrawal and Non-Resumption	New Art. 18 regulates withdrawal (requires express power of attorney or no stipulation to the contrary, with 2 months to cure). Art. 19 maintains non-resumption rule but expands grounds (dismissed, withdrawn, abandoned, denied, or retracted) and allows exception by authority order.	Substantive change + Addition
9	20	Recordal of Transfers, Name Changes, Mergers	(1) Requires new email; (2) application must be filed by the new holder or representative (previously "any party"); (3) new co-ownership rules for trademarks under Art. 217 LFPPI.	Substantive change
10	21	Recordal of Licenses and Franchises	Maintains essentials. Also regulates "exploitation" (not just use).	Formal change
11	22	Simultaneous Recordal for Multiple Applications/Registrations	Expands catalog: now expressly includes representative accreditation, revocation, transformation of regime, and mergers. Requires certified copy in each file for representative accreditation.	Substantive change
12	23	Request for Non-Compliance in Recordals	Adds that partial responses lead to outright dismissal (not just for total omission).	Substantive change (stricter)

Notices, Gazette, Representation, Files

Ch. I — Notices, Gazette, representation, files
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Detected Change	Type
13	24, 25, 26, 27, 28	Notices	Broken into five articles. Innovations: (i) express rule for Gazette notice as primary method for physical filings; (ii) detailed regulation of electronic notices via electronic board, taking effect upon consultation, and fictional notice on the 15th and last day of each month if not consulted; (iii) personal service at Institute offices, domicile, by court order, or "justified cause"; (iv) terms begin on the business day following service.	Substantive change + Procedural (high impact)
14	29	Gazette	Adds that the Director General will establish characteristics and specifications via Agreement.	Competence change
15	30	Gazette Content	Adds publication of "general interest information on industrial property."	Addition
None	31	Suspension of Operations in Case of Force Majeure	Enables Gazette publication before the Official Gazette (DOF).	Addition
16 sec. III	38	Power of Attorney Accreditation by General Power Registry	Simplified: providing the registry number is sufficient (previously a copy of the certificate).	Procedural change
16 sec. I, II, IV, V	None	Letters of attorney, general, special, authorized powers	Removed from the regulation. Subject to the LFPPI and supplementary law.	Removal
17	38, 39	General Power Registry and Validity	New Art. 39 expressly regulates that certificate validity matches the power of attorney; if not specified, it is subject to common law.	Addition / Substantive change
18	32	File Consultation	Reoriented to administrative declaration files (consultation only by parties and authorized persons), with a duty to preserve confidentiality.	Substantive change
19	33	Return of Original Documents and Objects	Adds express legitimacy for "persons specifically authorized to receive documents."	Procedural change
20	34 & 35	Certified and Simple Copies	(1) Expressly introduces "simple copies" in addition to certified; (2) adds delivery of public versions for classified or personal data; (3) for published applications, any person may obtain copies upon request and payment.	Substantive change / Addition
None	36	Electronic Certified Copies with E-Signature	Important innovation: electronic certifications have the same evidentiary value as handwritten ones.	Addition
21	37	File Preservation in Any Medium	Adds that IMPI may preserve via third parties, who are obligated to maintain integrity and confidentiality.	Addition / Competence change (possible confidentiality risk)

CHAPTER II — INVENTIONS, UTILITY MODELS, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS, AND LAYOUT DESIGNS

Ch. II — Inventions, utility models, industrial designs, and layout designs
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Detected Change	Type
36	40	Priority Claim	Maintains requirements and adds that, upon failure to provide proof of payment, IMPI will request under Art. 106 LFPPI. Innovation: expressly regulates proof of payment for priority restoration under Art. 42 LFPPI.	Addition
None	41	Translation of Priority	Express obligation to exhibit Spanish translation.	Addition
22	42	Prior Art (Pending Prior Applications)	Expanded to industrial design registrations (not just patents and utility models). Specifies that denied, withdrawn, retracted, abandoned, or dismissed applications do not form part of the prior art unless already published under Arts. 61, 77, 107 LFPPI or by international treaties.	Substantive change
23	43	Application of Patent Rules to Utility Models	Separates the design regime (now has its own chapter in Arts. 44-46).	Systematic relocation
None	44	Industrial Designs Not New due to Reproduction of Official Emblems	New rule extending protection of flags, coats of arms, emblems, and names of organizations to designs.	Addition / Substantive change
None	45	Description of Industrial Design	Requires indicating references to traditional cultural expressions and related traditional knowledge.	Addition
23 para 2	46	Supplementary Application to Designs	Maintains application where appropriate.	No relevant change
None	47	Prior Disclosure (Art. 52 LFPPI)	New rule: mandates indicating date and means of disclosure upon filing and allows curing omissions during substantive examination.	Addition / Procedural change
24 para 2	48	Divisional Applications	Adds operational definition of "initial application" and requires it to be pending under Art. 102 LFPPI.	Substantive change
None	49	Divisional Mandated by IMPI	New rule: if IMPI orders division and it is not met, the subject matter is deemed unclaimed and no subsequent voluntary divisional may be filed for it. High litigation impact.	Addition
25	50	Data in Application and Clarifications	Removes the phrase "whose examination and valuation shall be at the Institute's discretion" (remains implicit).	Technical change
26	None	Exhibition of Specimen/Model of Invention	Removed from the regulation.	Removal
27	51	Formal Rules for Description/Claims/Abstract	Replaces "frames" with "tables."	Technical change
29	52	Claim Rules	(1) Detailed rules on dependent claims removed (Art. 29.VI and VII RLPI); (2) maintains rule for first independent claim and categories. Impact on patent drafting: greater flexibility but less certainty on dependency.	Substantive change (relevant)
33	53	Abstract	Expands preferred length from "100-200 words" to "100-400 words."	Technical change
30	54	Drawings	Expressly adds the possibility of substituting photographs for drawings (voluntary or by request) without adding new matter.	Addition / Procedural change
31	None	Provisional Drawings	Removed. Now governed by the general regime of Art. 54.	Removal
32	55	Drawings in Utility Models and Designs	No relevant change (updated legal reference).	Relocation
37	56	Biological Material Deposit Requirement	Adds "or set of microorganisms" to the case of the microorganism itself.	Technical change
34	57	Biological Material Deposit Certificate	(1) Removes specific 6-month term (now governed by Art. 111 LFPPI: 2 months); (2) regulates that if exhibited voluntarily or by request and the deposit was prior to filing, the filing date is preserved; otherwise, the exhibition date is recognized.	Substantive change
35	58	Recognition of Deposit Institutions	(1) Replaces IMPI recognition under "internationally accepted criteria" with recognition "disclosed by WIPO"; (2) removes obligation to publish list in the Official Gazette (DOF).	Substantive change / Competence change
28	59	Description Rules	Aligned with Art. 96 LFPPI; regulates section headers.	Technical change
None	60	Disclosure of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge	New rule of extreme impact: mandates disclosure of country of origin/source for genetic resources and peoples/communities/source for traditional knowledge when the invention is based on them. If unknown, a declaration under oath is required.	Addition (substantive)
None	61	Request for Failure to Disclose Genetic Resources	If detected during substantive examination that the invention is based on undisclosed genetic resources/traditional knowledge, a 2-month cure period is mandated.	Addition / Procedural change
38	62	Filing Date	Updated legal references and sections. Essence (filing date = date of meeting minimum requirements) is preserved.	Relocation
None	63 & 64	Provisional Patent Application	New rule aligned with Art. 105 Bis LFPPI. Regulates proof of payment requirement, 5-day cure period, and the rule that additional matter in the "definitive" application does not benefit from the date.	Addition (high operational impact)
39	65	Gazette Publication of Applications	Enriches mandatory content: number, dates, priority, international application, classification, title, abstract, inventor/applicant/representative data, and provisional application data. Includes rules for industrial designs.	Substantive change / Addition
None	66	Publication of Utility Model/Design Divisionals	New rule: publication only after passing formal examination; no early publication allowed.	Addition
40	67	Early Publication	Requires written request with file number and proof of payment.	Procedural change
41	68	Transformation of Applications	No substantive change; updated references.	Relocation
42	69	Substantive Examination	Adds "nucleotide or amino acid sequence listing" and "biological material deposit certificate" as elements to consider.	Substantive change
43 & 44	None	Foreign Examination Offices / Patent Granted Abroad	Removed express regulatory regime. Absorbed into LFPPI and inter-institutional agreements (Art. 4 RLFPPI).	Removal / Relocation
45	None	Specific Procedure for Novelty/Inventive Step	Removed. Replaced by general LFPPI regime.	Removal
None	70	Restoration of Rights (Art. 113 Bis LFPPI)	New rule: 5-day cure period for omissions; failure to cure leads to dismissal of the restoration petition.	Addition
46	71	Date of Patent/Registration Grant	Maintains primary rule and adds rule for when payment is made within the Art. 16 LFPPI term (5 days).	Procedural change
47	72	Publication of Patent or Registration	Adds that IMPI may provide an electronic link to the issued title.	Addition / Technical change
None	73	Renunciation of Patent/Registration Right	New rule: mandates express power of attorney (unless no stipulation to the contrary), with a 2-month cure period.	Addition
48	74	Changes in Text/Drawings of Title	Express prohibition added: if intended to expand the conferred protection, rectification is denied.	Addition (substantive)
None	75	Calculation of Days in Art. 131 LFPPI	Calendar days.	Addition / Clarification
None	76	Reasonable Delays	Defines what is considered a reasonable delay for Art. 132 LFPPI (compensation for grant delays): terms of eighteen and two months, and time between the end of said terms and the first substantive examination action.	Addition (high impact)
50	77	Compulsory License	Maintained.	Relocation
51	78	Compulsory License Application	Adds email to requirements.	Procedural change
52	79	Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits	No relevant change.	Relocation

CHAPTER III — TRADEMARKS, SLOGANS, AND TRADE NAMES

Ch. III — Trademarks, slogans, and trade names
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Detected Change	Type
None	80	Graphic Representation of Non-Traditional Marks: Sound	Rule for sound marks: representation in staff, description + sample in electronic format.	Addition (substantive)
None	81	Representation of Olfactory Mark	Chemical description + IUPAC name + physical sample.	Addition
None	82	Representation of Position Mark	Detailed description of the position on the product and graphic representation with dashed lines.	Addition
None	83	Representation of Movement Mark	Series of sequential images showing the animation or movement, with description.	Addition
None	84	Representation of Multimedia Mark	Description + audiovisual sample in electronic format.	Addition
None	85	Representation of Three-Dimensional Mark	Front, side, top, and bottom views with dashed lines for unprotected parts.	Addition
None	86	Representation of Holograms	Images showing different viewing angles of the hologram.	Addition
None	87	Survey or Market Study for Acquired Distinctiveness (Secondary Meaning)	New rule of high evidentiary impact: detailed minimum elements: objective, methodology, sample size and representativeness, statistical analysis, market penetration data, digital platform positioning.	Addition (high evidentiary impact)
None	88-91	Letters of Consent	New rule. Regulates content, timing of presentation, and the rule that they can only be invalidated by court order. High litigation impact.	Addition
54	92	Legitimate Imports (Exhaustion)	Adds "authorized distributor" in addition to the holder and licensee.	Substantive change (expands parallel trade)
55	93	Economic Group of Common Interest	No relevant change.	No relevant change
59	94	International Classification (Nice)	(1) Mandatory specific class descriptions using Alphabetical List names; (2) introduces "Alphabetical List" and "Supplementary List of Products and Services."	Substantive change / Technical
None	95	Limitations and Precisions of Products/Services	New rule: holder may limit/specify at any time without increasing scope. Representative must have express powers.	Addition
None	96 & 97	Collective Mark	New rules: mandates articles of incorporation of the society/association + signed rules of use.	Addition
None	98 & 99	Certification Mark	New rules: mandates accrediting certification status + signed rules of use.	Addition
None	100	Survey or Market Study for Notoriety/Fame	New rule with detailed minimum elements: objective, methodology, sample, analysis, signature.	Addition (high evidentiary impact)
None	101	Rate for Notoriety Declaration	Payment per class.	Addition (economic burden)
67	102	Supplementary Application to Slogans	No relevant change.	Relocation
None	103	Accreditation of Trade Name Use	New rule: notary public document with specific data (owner, location, line of business, first use date, storefront photos).	Addition (high operational impact)
67	104	Supplementary Application to Trade Names	No relevant change.	Relocation
56	105	Data in Trademark Application	(1) Must indicate if mark includes indigenous/Afro-Mexican cultural heritage; (2) acquired distinctiveness must be expressly stated with proof; (3) translation for non-Spanish indigenous languages; (4) transliteration for non-Latin characters.	Substantive change / Addition
56 para 2	106	Reservation of Exclusive Use	Maintained; IMPI empowered to move/remove elements placed in wrong sections without modifying the mark.	Procedural change
None	107	Website as Business Location	New rule: allows signaling a website as location, with an oath stating no physical establishment. High e-commerce impact.	Addition
57	108	Indication of Products/Services	Express prohibition: products/services that constitute pending or registered trademarks cannot be indicated. Appropriation risk.	Addition (substantive)
None	109	Trademarks with Protected AO/GI	New rule: if mark includes protected Appellation of Origin/Geographical Indication, exclusive use is not reserved and is subject to Art. 268 LFPPI.	Addition
58	110	Use Rules for Co-owned Marks	Maintained; adds stipulations on limitations during use declaration and renewal, and withdrawal. Subsequent modification must be recorded to affect third parties.	Substantive change
60	111	Priority Recognition in Trademarks	Requires indicating country of origin, number, and date at filing (previously "when known").	Substantive change
59 BIS	112	Gazette Publication of Trademark Application	No relevant change.	Relocation
59 TER	113	Incomplete Opposition	Maintains 5-day cure period. Innovation: dismissal also applies for partial or failed cures.	Substantive change (stricter)
59 QUATER	None	Publication of Opposition List	Removed from regulation (remains in Art. 221 LFPPI).	Relocation
59 QUINQUIES	114	Terms when Filed in Development Centers	Replaces delegations with Development Centers.	Relocation
None	115 & 116	Formal and Substantive Examination of Trademarks	New rules detailing order and content of examinations (formal first, then substantive, notice of impediments).	Addition
61	117	Sign Modification = New Application	Maintained; adds rule that IMPI may request removal of non-reservable elements without implying a new application.	Procedural change
None	118	Correction of Errors in Title	New rule: IMPI may correct obvious or formal errors, ex officio or upon request.	Addition
None	119	Term to Cure Renewal Request	New rule of HIGH IMPACT: 2 non-extendable months; failure = automatic lapse without prior declaration.	Addition
None	120	Declaration of Use (Arts. 233 & 237 LFPPI)	New rule: IMPI may request product/service precision and removal of non-specific indications. Failure leads to dismissal. If limited, notice on which products/services protection continues. High impact on portfolio maintenance.	Addition
62	121	Effective Use of Trademark	Adds paragraph on accreditation: commercial transactions in relevant numbers, not sporadic or apparent, external acts of sale/distribution/commercialization/storage. High litigation impact.	Substantive change
63	122	Ratification of Voluntary Cancellation	Adds sec. III: "in cases where the Institute deems it necessary."	Addition (discretionary)
64	123	Indications on Licensed/Franchised Products	No relevant change.	Relocation
65	124	Information to Provide in Franchises	Expanded catalog: master contract, ROI amounts and times, number of company-owned and franchised units, number of units opened, relocated, transferred, and closed. High impact on COFI.	Addition
None	125	Dissolution of Linked Trademarks	New rule: express consent required to dissolve linkage under Art. 254 LFPPI, with identification requirements.	Addition
None	126	Nullity Grounds due to Violation (Art. 258.I LFPPI)	New rule delimiting impediments whose violation generates nullity: Arts. 12 and 173 sec. I to XVII and XIX to XXII LFPPI. High litigation impact.	Addition
66	None	Classification in Slogans	Removed (absorbed in general provisions).	Relocation
68	None	AO Use Authorization Request	Relocated to Ch. IV (AO/GI).	Relocation

CHAPTER IV — APPELLATIONS OF ORIGIN AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

Ch. IV — Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications (largely new chapter)
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Type
None	127 & 128	Delegation of AO/GI Protection — IMPI may delegate protection and defense actions to third parties when unable to exercise them directly.	Addition / Competence change
None	129	Maintenance of Geographical Link — link, quality, characteristics, reputation, natural and cultural factors. For GI, more limited link.	Addition
None	130	Generic Terms — criteria to determine if a name is common or generic (dictionaries, trade, official standards, significant imports).	Addition
None	131	Recognition of Foreign AO/GIs and Common Terms — IMPI will publish list in Gazette.	Addition
None	132	Translation/Transliteration of Free-Use Generic.	Addition
None	133	Coexistence of Homonymous Names.	Addition
None	134	Unprotected Descriptive/Generic Elements.	Addition
None	135	Transformation Request (Art. 280 LFPPI).	Addition
None	136-138	AO/GI Oppositions — 10 business days to cure oppositions; dismissal if partial or uncured.	Addition
None	139	IMPI Unilateral Investigations — express authority for unilateral investigation results. High evidentiary impact.	Addition
None	140	Suspension due to Prior or Related Issue.	Addition
None	141	Validity of Accreditation Certificate — valid until cancelled.	Addition
None	142	AO/GI Infringement Procedure — administrative declaration procedure applies (physical or online) where appropriate.	Addition / Relocation
None	143 & 144	Suspension of Effects due to Certification Agency Change — Gazette notice, suspension of pending filings, preservation of authorizations.	Addition
68	145	AO Use Authorization Request — relocated and adapted: adds email, original/certified power of attorney. Certificates within prior 6 months.	Relocation / Procedural change
None	146	Renewal of Use Authorization.	Addition
None	147	Lapse without Declaration — lapse occurs without declaration. High impact.	Addition
None	148	Authorized User Associations.	Addition
None	149	DOP/IGP Legends on Labels — prominent and legible in Spanish; translation allowed.	Addition
None	150	Voluntary Cancellation.	Addition
None	151 & 152	Agreement Allowing AO/GI Use — agreement requirements and voluntary cancellation.	Addition
None	153	Verification of Compliance by Distributors.	Addition
None	154	Recordal of Changes.	Addition
None	155-159	Declaration Request, Cessation of Effects, Recognition of Foreign AO/GIs, Opposition to Foreign Recognition, Voluntary Cancellation.	Addition

CHAPTER V — ADMINISTRATIVE DECLARATION PROCEDURE

Ch. V — Administrative declaration procedure
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Detected Change	Type
None	160	Guidelines by Director General Agreement	Director General may issue guidelines on administrative declaration procedures via Agreement.	Addition
69	161 & 162	Data in Declaration Request	(1) Adds RFC (tax ID) and CURP (unique ID); (2) expands location to "physical, virtual or electronic establishment, platform, profile or digital account"; (3) IMPI may accept provided address references.	Substantive change (high impact on digital infringements)
None	163	Dismissal for Lack of Validity or Untimeliness	New rule formalizing dismissal grounds at start of proceeding.	Addition
79	164	Fees for Inspection/Verification	Key rule: payment per company, negotiation, physical establishment, as well as per search or login on digital platforms, email address, profile, or digital account. High economic impact.	Substantive change
None	165	Ocular Inspections	Payment per object, document, analog support, or electronic medium.	Addition
71	166	Inspection Visit — Rules	(1) Credential must specify issue date and validity + name of issuing official; (2) order signature may be handwritten or electronic; (3) no substantive change to inspected party's rights.	Procedural change
70	None	Copy for Counterparty	Removed (absorbed into LFPPI).	Relocation
None	167	Request for Provisional Measures	Complies with same requirements as declaration request.	Addition
72	168	Asset Seizure	(1) Custodian must communicate any situation affecting the mandate and merchandise; (2) aid of federal, state, or local police + civil or armed institutions allowed.	Substantive change
None	169	Suspension of Free Circulation (Customs)	Applicant provides customs info and all expenses are at applicant's cost. High impact on anti-counterfeiting.	Addition
None	170	Blocking of Virtual/Digital/Electronic Media	New rule aligned with Art. 344.VII LFPPI: blocking of the specific part where violation exists; if infringer unidentified, full media blocking. 3-day term to comply. High impact on online strategy.	Addition
None	171	Counter-bond	Counter-bond equal to original bond + 40%.	Addition
73	172	Lifting of Seizure	Adds sec. V: by agreement between parties.	Addition
None	173	Return of Seized Assets Upon Lifting Measures	10 business days for the custodian.	Addition
None	174	Bond Destination Upon Lifting Provisional Measures	New rule regulating bond destination based on proceeding outcome.	Addition
None	175	Destruction of Assets (Art. 366 LFPPI)	Facilitates destruction and materials handling.	Addition

CHAPTER VI — INFRINGEMENTS, SANCTIONS, AND CRIMES

Ch. VI — Infringements, sanctions, and crimes
RLPI Art.	RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Detected Change	Type
75	176	Calculation of Fines	Replaces "daily general minimum wage for Mexico City" with "Unit of Measure and Update (UMA)." Constitutional alignment.	Substantive change
76	177	Temporary/Permanent Closure	No relevant change.	Relocation
77	178	Execution of Temporary Closure	No substantive change.	Relocation
78	179	Additional Fine	Establishes 15 business days for the infringer to demonstrate cessation (previously unspecified).	Procedural change
None	180	Coordination with Tax Authorities	New rule for inter-institutional coordination for fine collection.	Addition
None	181	Damage Claims Before IMPI	New rule: procedure before IMPI, request and response requirements. High litigation impact.	Addition
None	182	Technical Opinion (Art. 405 LFPPI)	IMPI may take additional trademark registrations into account.	Addition
None	183	Term Extension for Technical Opinion	New rule regulating requests for term extensions to issue technical opinions.	Addition

CHAPTER VII — ONLINE ADMINISTRATIVE DECLARATION OF INFRINGEMENT

Ch. VII — Online administrative declaration of infringement (entirely new chapter)
RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Type
184	Online Infringement: at the request of the interested party, with infringer consent for online or physical processing.	Addition
185	Chronological electronic file.	Addition
186	File access with advanced e-signature; evidentiary value of digitized docs; oath on integrity; 24/7 service.	Addition
187	IMPI-recognized electronic signature.	Addition
188	Electronic notices via electronic mailbox (15th and last day of month for fictional notice).	Addition
189	Electronically served resolutions with same effects.	Addition

CHAPTER VIII — MANDATORY RESOLUTION OF PATENTS OR REGISTRATIONS

Ch. VIII — Mandatory resolution of patents or registrations (entirely new chapter)
RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Type
190	Mandatory resolution procedure request.	Addition
191	Non-computable terms (5 cases: applicant actions/omissions, additional terms, periods not attributable to IMPI, non-working days, force majeure). High impact.	Addition
192	Responsible official's report.	Addition

CHAPTER IX — TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER RECORDAL

Ch. IX — Technology transfer recordal (entirely new chapter)
RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Type
193	Technology Transfer Registry: licenses, assignments, NDAs, R&D, consulting, research sponsorship, MTAs, JV, spinoffs, startups. Not a validity requirement, but required for opposability against third parties. High substantive impact.	Addition
194	Recordal under Art. 21.	Addition
195	Public version with basic data.	Addition
196	Catalogs of free-use technologies and transfer publicity.	Addition

CHAPTER X — ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)

Ch. X — Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (entirely new chapter)
RLFPPI Art.	Subject	Type
197	Conciliation within administrative declaration procedures; IMPI participation in TFJA ADR.	Addition
198	Principles: voluntariness, confidentiality, good faith, legality, impartiality, equity, flexibility, party autonomy.	Addition
199	Physical meetings or via secure video-conferencing/digital platforms.	Addition
200	Conciliation at any stage before final resolution.	Addition
201	*Written agreement (physical or electronic) with binding effects and administrative res judicata* status.**	Addition (high impact)
202	Minimum agreement content.	Addition

Transitory Provisions

Transitory provisions
Aspect	RLFPPI (2026)
Entry into force	60 business days after publication in the Official Gazette (April 28, 2026). Effective date: approx. July 2026.
Online Procedure (Ch. VII)	Enters into force with the publication of an Agreement (max. 18 months later). Online infringement system could take until October 2027.
Pending Cases	Substantiated under provisions in force at filing. Exception: pending cases may access ADR provided in the new regulation.
ADR in TFJA	From the entry into force of the new regulation.
Abrogation	1994 RLPI and reforms abrogated. RLPI loses formal validity, though applies to pending cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes with the new Regulation of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property (RLFPPI) published in 2026?

The RLFPPI published on April 28, 2026, replaces the 1994 RLPI and reorganizes IMPI's administrative criteria into ten chapters. It introduces express regulation for electronic notices, non-traditional marks (sound, scent, position, motion, multimedia), mandatory disclosure of genetic resources and traditional knowledge in patents, a technology transfer registry, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and a full chapter on online infringement featuring digital media blocking.

What new obligations does the RLFPPI 2026 impose on owners and applicants?

Key new obligations include: providing an email address for all filings, submitting individual applications per alleged infringer or site in contentious proceedings, disclosing the country of origin for genetic resources and traditional knowledge when an invention is based on them, meeting two-month non-extendable deadlines for trademark renewals under risk of automatic lapse, and providing signed rules of use for collective and certification marks.

What additional powers does IMPI have under the RLFPPI 2026?

IMPI gains the authority to establish differential rates and grant compliance badges, enter into inter-institutional agreements to leverage foreign office examinations, recognize electronic signatures, preserve files through third parties, order the full blocking of digital media when an infringer is unidentified, delegate protection actions for AO/GIs, and participate in ADR proceedings before the TFJA.

What are the relevant deadlines in the RLFPPI 2026?

Key deadlines: two non-extendable months to cure trademark renewal requests (failure leads to automatic lapse); five days to cure provisional patent applications; two months to cure genetic resource disclosure omissions; three days to comply with digital media blocking orders; ten business days to return seized assets; and specific timelines for electronic notices with a fictional notice rule on the 15th and last day of each month if the dashboard is not consulted.

Which 1994 RLPI provisions were removed in the RLFPPI 2026?

Removals include: detailed regulation of letters of attorney and general/special powers, the exhibition of specimens or models of inventions, detailed rules for dependent claims, provisional drawings, the express regulatory regime for foreign examination offices and patents granted abroad, the paragraph on arbitration for pharmaceutical linkage ownership disputes, and the obligation to publish the list of biological deposit institutions in the Official Gazette (DOF).

When does the RLFPPI enter into force and what happens to pending cases?

The RLFPPI enters into force 60 business days after its April 28, 2026, publication. Ch. VII online proceedings will enter into force following a subsequent Agreement, no later than 18 months thereafter. Pending matters will be handled under the rules in force at their filing date, unless parties choose to use the new ADR mechanisms.