During the event, participants received updates on four projects led by the Trademark, Industrial Design, and Geographical Indications Directorate:
i. Expedited Trademark Examination. Available since August 7, this service enables certain trademark applications and petitions to be examined more quickly.
ii. Opposition 2.0. Scheduled to launch on December 20, this initiative seeks to introduce a faster and more cost-effective mechanism for opposing trademark applications.
iii. Famous Mark(1). In effect since August 7, the new guidelines for applications seeking recognition of famous marks are designed to promote greater transparency, predictability, and simplification in these proceedings.
iv. Artificial Intelligence for Trademarks. Still under development and scheduled for launch in September, this project will introduce intelligent search tools and automated analyses of absolute grounds for refusal. Its objective is to reduce examination times and deliver a more streamlined filing system.
Read the complete article (in Portuguese): INPI apresenta novos serviços e projetos para os usuários do sistema de marcas
(1) Under Brazilian law, a ‘Famous Mark’ (art. 125 LPI) enjoys cross-class protection upon INPI recognition; it is distinct from a ‘Well-Known Mark’ (art.126 LPI; Paris Convention art. 6 bis), which is protected in its field of activity even without prior registration. (https://www.gov.br/inpi/pt-br/servicos/marcas/arquivos/legislacao/lpitradpmsrevpms.pdf)