The National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) has introduced a set of amendments to the administrative trademark registration procedure, as published in Resolution 583/2025 in the Official Gazette of 11 December 2025.
The aim is to simplify the procedure, reduce timeframes and bring it closer to the model applied in the European Union. The new framework will apply to pending applications and will enter into force gradually.
The first change to be taken into account, with immediate effect, is that the National Directorate of Trademarks will no longer examine ex officio certain grounds for refusal, specifically:
- Similarity with previously registered or applied-for trademarks for the same goods or services.
- Signs that may mislead the public as to the characteristics of the product or service.
- The use of a person’s name, pseudonym or likeness without their consent.
- Descriptive designations of activities, including company names and corporate names.
These grounds for refusal may now only be assessed at the request of third parties through opposition proceedings (which, in turn, remain unchanged). From now on, the INPI’s substantive examination will focus on the lack of distinctive character and on grounds related to public order.
Continuing with the amendments, as from 1 March 2026 the registration procedure will be updated and trademark applications will be subject to a formal and substantive examination prior to publication. Only those trademarks that pass this examination will be published.
If the Argentine market is of interest to you and you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our experts will be ready to assist you in any way we can.
