Step-by-step: How to register your trademark in Mexico
And why working with a legal expert makes all the difference?
Registering a trademark in Mexico is not just a formality — it’s a legal declaration that grants you exclusive rights over the name or logo of your product or service. While the process seems simple, getting it right requires legal insight and a strategic approach.
Here’s how it works, step by step — and why having a legal specialist is key.
Step 1: Check if your name is legally available
Before filing anything, it’s essential to verify if your brand name:
Is not already registered or pending by someone else
Is distinctive (not generic, descriptive, or confusing)
Complies with Mexican IP Law (LFPPI)
A professional will conduct an in-depth search in the IMPI (Mexican Institute of Industrial Property) database, analyzing visual, phonetic, and conceptual similarities — plus active filings, expiration dates, and legal risks.
30% of applications are rejected due to legal obstacles. Source: IMPI Annual Report, 2023
Step 2: Build your legal registration strategy
This is the critical legal part. You must define:
The correct Nice Class (from 1 to 45)
Whether to register just the wordmark, logo, or both
The scope of your product/service description
An intellectual property expert helps you:
✅ Reduce legal risks
✅ Maximize protection coverage
✅ Align your brand with business goals
Step 3: File the application with the IMPI
The application is submitted online via the IMPI platform. You’ll pay the official fee (currently $3,126 MXN in 2025, approx. USD $185) and submit your documents.
Even minor mistakes here — such as incorrect class, vague descriptions, or wrong ownership data — can lead to delays or rejections.
Step 4: Wait for legal examinations and respond
The process takes about 4 to 6 months. During that time, the IMPI will conduct:
A formal review (is everything filled out correctly?)
A substantive review (does the mark comply with legal and registrability rules?)
If any objections are issued, you must reply within a short deadline. Failure to do so means your application will be automatically dismissed.
Step 5: Receive your trademark certificate
If approved, you’ll get your official certificate, granting exclusive rights over your mark in Mexico for 3 years.
To extend your protection for the full 10-year term, you’ll need to file a Declaration of Use in year 3.
A trademark without proper maintenance can be cancelled — even if it was granted.
⚠️ Why register with a legal expert?
Because behind a simple process, there are legal complexities:
Choosing the wrong class can leave you unprotected.
A non-distinctive name can be denied.
Not replying to IMPI objections in time means starting over.
Poorly written applications expose you to future legal conflicts.
At bucle®, we help you register your brand in Mexico with full legal support, strategy, and follow-up. We know the law — and how to protect what makes you unique.
🇲🇽 Want to register your trademark in Mexico?
Start by validating your brand name for just $400 MXN (~USD $25). If it’s viable, that amount will go toward your full registration process.
Contact us on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/5213338097036
By Mónica Lisette Rayas Ortiz
Master’s Degree in Business and Commercial Law
Over 12 years of experience registering trademarks with the IMPI
Strategic Business & IP Consultant at bucle®
Individual and Group Psychoanalyst
