The short answer
A Mexican trademark registration lasts 10 years from the grant date and renews for further 10-year periods. Two rules are unusual: the owner must declare real and effective use in the 3 months after the third anniversary of the grant, or the registration lapses, and the same declaration is needed at renewal. The opposition period is only 1 month from publication in the Gazette, and it cannot be extended. A mark can lapse after 3 consecutive years of non-use.
Trademark deadlines in Mexico at a glance
These rules come from the Federal Law on the Protection of Industrial Property (Ley Federal de Protección a la Propiedad Industrial, DOF 1 July 2020), in the Spanish text on WIPO Lex and the Chamber of Deputies. The Law has been amended since, including reforms dated 2026, so we check the current text, the Regulations and IMPI's fees before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the grant date, renewable for periods of the same length (Article 178). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date the registration is granted (otorgamiento), not the filing date (Article 178). |
| When can I renew? | The owner must request renewal within the six months before expiry, and must declare real and effective use of the mark for the specific goods or services. Protection continues only for the goods or services for which use is declared (Article 237). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. IMPI also processes renewal requests filed within 6 months after the registration expires. If the use declaration is missing, the owner has 2 months to cure it, or the registration lapses by operation of law. If no renewal is filed at all, the registration lapses (Articles 237 and 238). |
| Opposition period | IMPI publishes the application in the Gazette within ten days of receipt and gives a non-extendable period of one month from the publication taking effect for any interested third party to oppose, on the grounds in Articles 12 and 173. An opposition filed late is rejected outright. The opposition needs proof and the fee, and does not decide the substantive examination (Articles 221 to 224). |
| Reply to an office action | After the one-month period, IMPI examines the application. If there are objections or oppositions, the applicant has 2 months to respond, then an additional 2 months with a fee. If it does not respond, the application is treated as abandoned (Articles 225 and 226). |
| Priority claim | Priority can be recognised within the periods set by treaties, or if none, within 6 months of filing in another country. The claim must state the country and filing date, and cannot cover additional goods or services (Articles 218 and 219). |
| Non-use | If a mark is not used for 3 consecutive years on the goods or services for which it is registered, the registration can lapse (caducidad), in whole or in part, unless the owner or a licensee used it in the 3 years before the request or events outside the owner's control prevented use (Article 235). Separately, the declaration of use at the third anniversary is mandatory (Article 233). |
| Assignment | A registered mark can be licensed by agreement, and the licence is recorded at IMPI on request (Articles 239 and 240). Transfers of rights are also recorded at IMPI, and we confirm the current procedure, fee and document legalisation before filing. |
Who can register a trademark in Mexico
Any person or company can apply. Co-applicants must file agreed rules on use, licensing and transfer (Article 217). The filing date sets priority among applications (Article 220).
Representation. Foreign owners act through a Mexican attorney or agent, who also receives notices and, for opposition, needs a power of attorney. We confirm the current representation requirement in the Law and the Regulations before filing.
Trademark registration process in Mexico
Search
- Search the the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), through your Mexican attorney.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After filing, the application is published in the Gazette, and any interested third party can oppose within 1 month (Article 221).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Mexico trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the grant date.
- Declare real and effective use in the 3 months after the third anniversary of the grant.
- Renew in the 6 months before expiry, or within 6 months after, with a use declaration.
- Use the mark in Mexico to avoid lapse after 3 consecutive years of non-use.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Mexican trademark
Declaration of use
Third-year duty
Without the declaration at year three, the registration lapses by operation of law (Article 233).
Licence
Licensing the mark
Licences are recorded on application, and the licensee's use counts as the owner's use (Articles 240 and 244).
Franchise
Technical know-how
Franchises have a separate disclosure duty of 30 days before signing (Article 245).
Registered mark symbol
Use of ®
The ® symbol and "M.R." may be used only for the registered goods and services (Article 236).
Non-use and cancellation of a Mexican trademark
Under Article 235, a registration can lapse for 3 consecutive years of non-use. Under Articles 233 and 237, it lapses by operation of law if the owner does not declare use at the third anniversary or at renewal. Under Article 178, IMPI can start a nullity procedure if the goods break the law.
Keep dated proof of use in Mexico: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Mexico
Search IMPI's trademark database (MARCia) and the Gazette, where applications are published. The 1-month opposition period runs from publication.
Sources used
- Federal Law on the Protection of Industrial Property (DOF 1 July 2020), Spanish text on WIPO Lex and the Chamber of Deputies: Articles 178, 217, 218, 219, 220 to 226, 233, 235 to 240, 244 and 245.
- IMPI for the Regulations, forms and fees. The 2026 reforms must be checked against the Official Gazette (DOF).
Mexico trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Mexico, and from when?
10 years from the grant date, renewable for periods of the same length (Article 178). It counts from the grant date (Article 178).
When should I renew a Mexican trademark, and is there a grace period?
The owner must request renewal within the six months before expiry, and must declare real and effective use of the mark for the specific goods or services. Protection continues only for the goods or services for which use is declared (Article 237).
What is the opposition period in Mexico?
IMPI publishes the application in the Gazette within ten days of receipt and gives a non-extendable period of one month from the publication taking effect for any interested third party to oppose, on the grounds in Articles 12 and 173. An opposition filed late is rejected outright. The opposition needs proof and the fee, and does not decide the substantive examination (Articles 221 to 224).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Mexico?
The official fee is set by the the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Mexico?
Yes. Foreign owners can apply and normally act through a Mexican attorney. Applications are in Spanish, and powers of attorney and other documents follow the Regulations.
Can I assign a Mexican trademark?
A registered mark can be licensed by agreement, and the licence is recorded at IMPI on request (Articles 239 and 240). Transfers of rights are also recorded at IMPI, and we confirm the current procedure, fee and document legalisation before filing.
Can a Mexican trademark be cancelled for non-use?
If a mark is not used for 3 consecutive years on the goods or services for which it is registered, the registration can lapse (caducidad), in whole or in part, unless the owner or a licensee used it in the 3 years before the request or events outside the owner's control prevented use (Article 235). Separately, the declaration of use at the third anniversary is mandatory (Article 233).
How can I check the status of a Mexican trademark?
Use the the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority can be recognised within the periods set by treaties, or if none, within 6 months of filing in another country. The claim must state the country and filing date, and cannot cover additional goods or services (Articles 218 and 219).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Mexico
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Mexican deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
