Dear clients and friends, As a follow-up to our previous bulletin, we would like to inform you that on April 3rd, 2026, the Decree amending, adding to, and repealing various provisions of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property (“LFPPI”) was published in the Federal Official Gazette, thereby entering into force. Below, we highlight some additional relevant aspects beyond those discussed in our previously published bulletin:
1.New types of trademarks
The amendment expressly recognizes new categories of distinctive signs, expanding the scope of trademark protection:
- Position marks: protect the specific placement of a sign on a product (for example, a logo consistently placed on a particular part of a shoe or garment).
- Motion marks: consist of signs that include animations or sequences of movement.
- Multimedia marks: combine visual and sound elements simultaneously.
These categories are incorporated into the provisions governing types of trademarks, modernizing the system in line with international standards
2.Ownership of patents and registrations
A new provision is introduced allowing the rightful party to claim ownership where a patent or registration has been granted to a person not entitled to obtain it. In particular:
- The entitled party may claim ownership at any time, provided that the right remains in force.
- Such claim is processed through an administrative proceeding before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property ("IMPI" for its spanish acronym)
- If resolved in favor of the claimant, the IMPI will order the reissuance of the corresponding title.
A specific administrative procedure is therefore established to safeguard the proper ownership of patents and registrations.
3.New procedure for the issuance of a mandatory resolution
The amendment introduces a new procedure aimed at preventing delays in the resolution of patent and registration proceedings.
In general terms:
- If a proceeding has not been resolved within the applicable legal timeframes, the applicant may request the initiation of this procedure.
- The request will be referred to a Specialized Technical Committee within the IMPI.
- This Committee will review the file and determine whether the issuance of a mandatory resolution is appropriate.
- Where applicable, the competent authority will be ordered to issue a final decision within a specified timeframe.
This mechanism operates as a control and acceleration tool, aimed at preventing unjustified delays within the IMPI.
4.“Ambush marketing”
The amendment also introduces a new infringement in industrial property matters, as a clear sign of protection and institutional support for the FIFA World Cup football tournament:
- The creation of a false or misleading sponsorship relationship between a trademark and a public or private large scale event is subject to sanctions.
This seeks to address “ambush marketing” practices, where companies improperly associate themselves with events without authorization. For example, during major events such as the FIFA World Cup, a company may carry out advertising campaigns that lead the public to believe it is an official sponsor when it is not.
Under the amendment, this type of conduct may be sanctioned.
5.Use of artificial intelligence in infringements
The amendment provides that:
- Infringements in industrial property matters will also be subject to sanctions when carried out through the use of artificial intelligence.
This expands the scope of the law to address emerging technologies.
6.Legislative Progress
Following approval by the President and its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), the amendment has entered into force, thereby concluding the legislative process and rendering the law binding and enforceable.
Conclusion
The approval of this amendment represents a decisive step toward the modernization of Mexico’s industrial property system, introducing measures that are more aligned with current market dynamics and strengthening the mechanisms for the protection of intellectual property rights.
At Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster®, we will continue to monitor the publication and entry into force of the amendment, as well as its practical implications for our clients.
Our specialist lawyers
Our team of lawyers is ready to help you understand how to apply these new rules to your company or investment project.
Profile
Elías-Fernández, Edmundo
Perfil
Mr. Elías has 36 years of experience in the legal profession. His practice focuses on international trade and customs matters, commercial law, corporate law, corporate compliance (anti-corruption), and government affairs. Mr. Elías has extensive experience across various sectors and industries, including the maquiladora industry, pharmaceuticals, automotive, consumer products, information technology, among others.
He has advised and represented numerous companies (Fortune 10, 100, and 500) in corporate, foreign trade, and customs matters, as well as in international commercial and anti-corruption issues. Likewise, he has represented such companies in matters related to free trade agreements, duty deferral programs, customs compliance, representation before authorities, tariff classification, rules of origin, customs valuation, and non-tariff regulations, among others.
Mr. Elías is recognized by Chambers and Partners (Band 1 National and Global), The Legal 500 (Hall of Fame), Best Lawyers, and Who's Who Legal as a leading lawyer both nationally and globally.
Experiencia Profesional
Currently, Mr. Elías is the Head Partner of the Foreign Trade practice at Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster. From 2015 to 2018, Mr. Elías served as Managing Partner of the Guadalajara office of the international law firm Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton. Mr. Elías worked at Baker McKenzie from 1992 to 2014. Among other responsibilities, he served as Coordinator of the International Trade and Customs practice in Mexico and Latin America. He also served twice as Global Coordinator of the firm’s International Trade and Customs practice.
Previously, Mr. Elías was founding partner of Bufete Elías, S.C. (1989–1992), a firm focused on corporate and commercial matters; Estrategia Bursátil, S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa (1987), where he served as assistant to the Legal Department; and Gallástegui y Lozano, S.C. (1985–1986), where he worked as a law clerk.
Mr. Elías has held a customs broker license authorizing him to operate throughout Mexico since 1995.
He has served as a professor at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, and Tecnológico de Monterrey Guadalajara Campus. He currently teaches at the Law School of Universidad Panamericana (undergraduate and graduate programs) at its Aguascalientes, Mexico City, and Guadalajara campuses.
He has been a panelist and speaker at more than 100 seminars on foreign trade, customs, and foreign investment organized by distinguished organizations, including the World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, International Fiscal Association, American Management Association, Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, the Mexican Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Development, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Confederación de Asociaciones de Agentes Aduanales de la República Mexicana, the Barra Mexicana Colegio de Abogados, and the Consejo Nacional de la Industria Maquiladora y Manufacturera de Exportación, among others.
Mr. Elías also served as Special Advisor and Co-Coordinator of private sector working groups during the modernization of United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement negotiations (NAFTA/USMCA).
- Co-author, NAFTA Handbook, CCH.
- Co-author, Mexican Tax Guide, CCH.
- Author of various essays and articles.
- Barra Mexicana Colegio de Abogados, currently Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Jalisco Chapter.
- American Bar Association.
- Academia Internacional de Derecho Aduanero (full member).
- Confederación de Asociaciones de Agentes Aduanales de la República Mexicana.
Formación Académica
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law – Master of Laws (LL.M.) with Honors.
Universidad Panamericana – Master’s Degree in Business Law with Honors.
IE Business School – CBA.
Universidad Panamericana – Doctoral Candidate in Law.
IPADE Business School – AD-2 Program (2005).
Management Executive Program, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Universidad Panamericana – Postgraduate Studies.
National Autonomous University of Mexico – Law Degree with Honors.
Centro Universitario México (C.U.M.) – High School Diploma.
Área de Práctica
Idiomas
Spanish, English
Certificaciones, Rankings, Publicaciones, Afiliaciones
Band 1 - Latin America Guide 2026, International Trade / WTO
Shortlisted - Lawyer of the year 2026, International Trade and Customs
- Corporate and Mergers Acquisitions Law
- International Trade and Finance Law
- Trade Law
Testimonios
Profile
Ripoll-González, Alejandro
Perfil
Alejandro Ripoll has more than 20 years of experience in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment, infrastructure and energy projects, corporate governance, and cross-border transactions.
He has led M&A transactions with an aggregate value exceeding USD 4 billion and has participated in infrastructure and energy projects with a combined value of more than USD 15 billion across Mexico and Latin America.
His recent experience includes advising on the cross-border acquisition of Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol (Spain) by an international investment group (2025), advising on the acquisition of Logistik Industrial Park in San Luis Potosí for more than USD 250 million (one of the largest industrial parks in Latin America), as well as advising on the acquisition of Fox Sports México, including audiovisual rights structures in Mexico and the United States.
Mr. Ripoll has extensive experience structuring sophisticated transactions involving rollover schemes, earn-outs, hybrid stock and asset transactions, and cross-border reorganizations in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, maquiladora, technology, and entertainment sectors.
In addition to his transactional practice, Alejandro Ripoll serves as a board member of various companies in the agribusiness, industrial park development, energy generation, and railway terminal infrastructure sectors. This board-level experience allows him to advise clients from both a strategic and business-oriented perspective.
He is recognized by Chambers and Partners (Global and Latin America) in the areas of Corporate/M&A, Projects, and General Business Law.
Experiencia Profesional
Alejandro is a partner at Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster and co-leads the Corporate & Business and Energy & Infrastructure practice groups. Prior to joining Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster, he was part of the Corporate/M&A group at Baker McKenzie.
He regularly advises multinational corporations, private investors, and family-owned business groups on acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and corporate governance matters.
Mr. Ripoll also serves as board member and external advisor to companies in the agribusiness, industrial park, power generation, and railway terminal sectors.
He is a member of the Executive Committee of Legalink, a global alliance of more than 70 independent law firms across 60 jurisdictions, where he promotes cross-border collaboration and the development of international clients.
Publications, Conferences, and Academic Activities
Mr. Ripoll is a professor of Legal Business Strategies in the MBA program at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (Guadalajara).
He has taught corporate law and alternative dispute resolution methods at Universidad Panamericana and has participated in international academic initiatives, including the Global Sales Law Project of the University of Basel. He has also participated in numerous conferences and seminars related to corporate governance, infrastructure, energy, and cross-border investment.
Professional Affiliations
- Barra Mexicana Colegio de Abogados – Member of the Executive Committee, Jalisco Chapter (2023–2025).
- Legalink – Member of the Executive Committee (2022–2026).
Formación Académica
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Executive Program in Blockchain and Disruptive Technologies.
- Harvard Law School – Negotiation Program.
- Escuela Libre de Derecho – Specialty in Energy Law.
- Fordham University School of Law – U.S. Legal System for Foreign Lawyers Program.
- Universidad Panamericana – Master’s Degree in Commercial and Corporate Law.
- Universidad Panamericana – Law Degree.
Área de Práctica
- Corporate / Mergers & Acquisitions
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Infrastructure & Public Procurement
- Real Estate & Urban Law
Idiomas
Spanish, English
Certificaciones, Rankings, Publicaciones, Afiliaciones
Band 5 - Projects
Band 1 - General Business Law: Guadalajara
Band 5 - Projects
- Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Investment