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The recognition of PIX as a highly renowned trademark by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) represents a milestone in Brazil’s intellectual property landscape.

Originally launched as an instant payment system by the Central Bank, PIX has rapidly evolved into one of the most valuable intangible assets in the country. With this new status, it now enjoys the highest level of trademark protection under Brazilian law.

What does “highly renowned trademark” status mean?

Under Article 125 of the Brazilian IP Law, highly renowned trademarks are granted protection across all sectors of economic activity, regardless of their registration class.

In practice, this means:

• The term “PIX” cannot be registered by third parties in any sector.
• Protection extends beyond financial services.
• Unauthorized use may result in legal enforcement and damages.

This recognition is reserved for trademarks that demonstrate exceptional levels of public awareness, trust, and reputation.

A nationwide asset

PIX’s scale highlights its strategic importance:

• BRL 35.36 trillion in transactions in 2025.
• Nearly 80 billion transactions.
• 54.7% share of all payment transactions in Brazil.

This level of adoption positions PIX as both a financial and institutional asset.

Protection against misuse and unfair association

Highly renowned status strengthens enforcement against:

• Unauthorized associations.
• Opportunistic commercial use.
• Consumer confusion.

It also reinforces the role of trademarks as key drivers of value, trust, and legal certainty in digital economies.

International context and regulatory tensions

The recognition comes amid international scrutiny, particularly from U.S. authorities, who have raised concerns about competitive impacts on global payment companies.

In this context, trademark protection also plays a strategic role in safeguarding national infrastructure and regulatory autonomy.

Implications for international businesses

For foreign companies, the PIX case offers key insights:

• The growing importance of intangible assets in emerging markets is important.
• The strategic value of enhanced trademark protection.
• The role of IP as a business asset, not merely a legal tool.

It also reflects the maturity of Brazil’s IP system in protecting high-impact assets.

How Tavares IP can support

Achieving highly renowned trademark status requires strong evidence, strategic planning, and technical expertise.

Tavares IP supports companies in protecting, managing, and strengthening their trademarks in Brazil, including strategies for achieving enhanced protection.

Contact our team to learn how to protect and leverage your brand assets in Brazil.

Brazil has officially joined the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Filing of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, through Decree No. 13,011/2026.

This development represents a significant step forward for innovation-driven industries.

What changes in practice?

The Treaty allows a single filing of microorganisms in an internationally recognized authority to be valid across all member countries.

Key benefits include:

• Elimination of multiple filings
• Cost reduction
• Simplified procedures
• Greater predictability

Legal certainty and efficiency

Brazil’s accession is driven by:

• Simplification of biological material filings
• Reduced costs for global patent strategies
• Increased legal certainty

This unified system enhances reliability in handling and accessing biological samples.

No changes to current BPTO procedures

According to the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office, current patent filing procedures involving biological material remain unchanged.

Brazil already recognizes filings made in foreign International Depositary Authorities (IDAs).

Opportunities for Brazilian institutions

As a member, Brazil can now seek recognition from the World Intellectual Property Organization for local institutions to act as IDAs.

Entities such as:

• Embrapa
• Fiocruz

are already preparing for this role.

Once approved, local filings will become a reality, reducing logistical burdens.

Impact for international companies

For foreign applicants, this means:

• Stronger alignment with global IP standards
• Reduced complexity in multi-jurisdiction filings
• Improved legal certainty in Brazil
• Enhanced attractiveness of the Brazilian market

Brazil’s accession to the Budapest Treaty marks an important milestone for the country’s IP landscape.

Tavares IP supports companies in structuring and protecting biotech innovations in Brazil. Contact us to optimize your patent strategy.

On June 9, a special committee of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies discussed integrated strategies to combat:

• Piracy
• Smuggling
• Tax evasion
• Illegal trade

The initiative highlights the growing importance of IP enforcement in Brazil.

Economic impact and unfair competition

According to lawmakers, illegal markets:

• Finance organized crime
• Reduce public revenue
• Harm legitimate businesses
• Create unfair competition

A significant portion of criminal activity is economically motivated, directly impacting market dynamics.

Intellectual property at the core

Piracy directly affects key IP rights, including:

• Trademarks
• Copyrights
• Industrial designs

For companies, this leads to risks such as:

• Brand dilution
• Revenue loss
• Reputational damage

Institutional strengthening and coordination

Key proposals include:

• Revitalizing the National Anti-Piracy Council
• Enhancing public-private cooperation
• Updating legislation
• Strengthening enforcement actions

This reflects a more coordinated approach to tackling illegal markets.

The “Brasil Legal” agenda

The discussion is part of the broader “Brasil Legal” initiative, which focuses on:

• Border control
• Road enforcement
• Criminal investigation
• Institutional coordination

This systemic approach is essential to dismantle illegal supply chains.

Impact for international companies

For foreign businesses, stronger enforcement means:

• Better protection of IP assets
• Increased legal certainty
• Lower operational risks
• Improved investment environment

The renewed focus on anti-piracy measures signals a more robust IP enforcement landscape in Brazil.

Companies should align their IP strategies accordingly.

Tavares IP supports companies in protecting and enforcing their IP rights in Brazil. Contact us to strengthen your strategy.

Today (on June 11), the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, bringing global attention not only to football but also to the complex IP-driven business ecosystem behind the event.

Major sporting events rely on:

• Broadcasting rights
• Global sponsorships
• Trademark licensing
• Athletes’ image rights

IP is the backbone of the sports industry

These events are powered by intangible assets, including:

• Official trademarks and logos
• Symbols and emblems
• Audiovisual content (copyrights)
• Athletes’ image rights

The monetization of these assets drives the entire event economy.

The Brazilian legal framework

Brazil has developed a robust legal framework for IP protection in sports, including:

• Industrial Property Law
• Copyright Law
• Pelé Law

The Pelé Law:

• Protects sports symbols
• Secures rights over athletes’ names and nicknames
• Regulates image rights (licensable assets)

Special legal regimes for megaevents

Brazil implemented specific laws for major events:

• World Cup Law (2012)
• Olympic Games Law (2016)

These introduced:

• Recognition of well-known marks
• Fast-track trademark examination
• Criminal penalties for misuse

Ambush marketing risks

One of the key legal challenges is ambush marketing, which can take two forms:

• Unauthorized association
• Physical or visual intrusion

These practices are regulated to protect official sponsors.

The 2026 World Cup scenario

Unlike Brazil in 2014, the US, Canada, and Mexico have not adopted specific IP regimes for the 2026 World Cup.

However, the core challenges remain:

• Protecting official trademarks
• Preventing misuse
• Ensuring sponsor exclusivity
• Safeguarding image rights

A modern legal framework

Brazil’s General Sports Law (2023) further strengthens protection by:

• Criminalizing misuse of sports IP
• Penalizing unauthorized products
• Regulating ambush marketing

The World Cup highlights the central role of IP in global sports.

For companies and rights holders, strategic IP management is critical to maximizing value and minimizing risk.

Tavares IP supports companies in protecting and leveraging IP assets globally. Contact us to develop your strategy.

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) has launched a new Quick Patent Guides page to simplify access to information and services related to patent applications.

The platform centralizes:

• Step-by-step guidance
• Links to official systems
• Applicable legislation and regulations
• Patent search databases

Supporting users throughout the patent lifecycle

The guides cover key stages of the patent process, including:

• Patent filing
• Preliminary formal examination
• Request for technical examination
• Compliance with office actions
• Grant of patent rights

Additional content includes:

• Optional procedures (ownership transfer, amendments, preliminary opinions)
• Exceptional procedural situations
• System interactions

Digital transformation and user experience

The transition from PDF guides to structured web pages marks a significant improvement:

• More intuitive navigation
• Integration with digital systems (e-Patents, e-filing)
• Direct access to payment tools and services
• Enhanced usability

This aligns Brazil with international best practices in IP office modernization.

Impact for international businesses

For foreign companies, the initiative brings clear advantages:

• Reduced procedural complexity
• Increased transparency
• Easier management of patent filings
• Improved predictability

These factors contribute to a more accessible and business-friendly IP environment.

IP as a business enabler

Improved access to patent information reinforces IP as a strategic tool:

• Enables faster decision-making
• Reduces operational risks
• Enhances portfolio management efficiency
• Encourages market entry

Visit the New Quick Guides page to discover the available content.

Tavares IP provides full support for patent filing and management in Brazil. Contact us to streamline your IP strategy.

The EU–Mercosur agreement, now provisionally in force, marks a significant step forward in promoting Brazilian Geographical Indications (GIs).

Brazil currently holds:

• 150 national GIs
• 119 Indications of Source (IP)
• 31 Appellations of Origin (DO)
• 161 total GIs, including foreign recognitions

This reflects a growing adoption of GIs as strategic IP assets.

International protection and legal impact

The agreement enhances legal protection for Brazilian GIs in the European market, resulting in:

• Reduced misuse of geographical names
• Increased legal certainty for exports
• Stronger international recognition
• Enhanced product authenticity and reputation

Key sectors such as coffee, wine, cheese, honey, and cachaça are expected to benefit.

GIs as a strategic IP tool

Geographical Indications play a critical role in:

• Linking quality to origin
• Preserving local know-how
• Creating competitive differentiation
• Strengthening regional economies

When combined with trademarks, GIs allow producers to:

• Build individual brand positioning
• Differentiate within the same territory
• Expand long-term commercial strategies
• Market access challenges

Despite regulatory progress, effective market entry depends on:

• Consistent product quality
• Production scalability
• Producer organization
• Compliance with EU technical standards

The agreement creates opportunities, but execution is key.

Regulatory and economic ripple effects

International agreements also drive domestic impact:

• Encourage new GI registrations
• Influence public policies
• Strengthen innovation ecosystems
• Support future agreements (e.g., EFTA)

Additionally, GIs contribute to:

• Regional development
• Rural tourism
• Local business expansion

The EU–Mercosur agreement reinforces intellectual property as a key driver of international competitiveness.

Geographical Indications are no longer just origin labels; they are strategic global assets.

At Tavares IP, we support companies and associations in protecting and leveraging IP assets globally. Contact us to develop your GI strategy.

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) recently hosted representatives from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) to discuss new joint initiatives and reinforce bilateral cooperation in intellectual property.

This partnership, established in 2007, remains a key pillar in strengthening Brazil’s IP system and its global integration.

Strategic priorities through 2027

The meeting outlined key initiatives with direct impact on the innovation ecosystem:

• Joint activity plan through 2027
• Advancements in digitalization and data usage
• IP-based financing initiatives
• Promotion of the Brazilian IP system to foreign companies
• Short-term technical cooperation projects

These priorities highlight IP as a strategic tool for economic development.

Impact for international companies

Enhanced cooperation between Brazil and the UK brings relevant implications for foreign businesses:

• Greater institutional alignment and predictability
• Improved environment for IP protection
• Increased support for innovation and technology transfer
• Strengthened legal certainty

Additionally, efforts to promote Brazil’s IP system may attract foreign companies seeking to enter or expand in the Brazilian market.

Institutional modernization and efficiency

Cooperation with the UK IPO also contributes to:

• Institutional modernization
• Improved internal processes
• Increased efficiency in IP examination

International partnerships have historically played a key role in enhancing Brazil’s IP framework.

IP as a driver of global competitiveness

This initiative reinforces a broader trend: intellectual property is central to innovation strategies and global competitiveness.

It supports:

• Brazil’s integration into the global IP ecosystem
• Stronger protection frameworks
• Increased attractiveness for foreign investment

The strengthened relationship between Brazil and the UK signals a positive step toward a more robust and internationally aligned IP environment in Brazil.

For global companies, this represents both opportunity and strategic relevance.

Tavares IP supports international companies in navigating Brazil’s IP system. Contact us to develop your protection and market-entry strategy.

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) published today, May 19, 2026, in Official Gazette No. 2889, Ordinance #69/2026. This ordinance establishes a transitional rule applicable to the examination of industrial design applications, mitigating potential conflicts arising from the implementation of the second edition of the Industrial Design Manual.

Protection of rights: Pending applications filed up to December 1, 2023 (60 days after the entry into force of the second edition of the Manual) will be assessed under the guidelines of the first edition, provided that the application of current rules could result in prejudice to the claimed protection.

Ongoing petitions: This transitional regime also applies to responses to office actions that are pending BPTO’s analysis, provided that the underlying technical OA was issued during the term of the first edition of the Manual.

This measure ensures enhanced legal certainty and predictability for both domestic and international applicants managing active portfolios in Brazil. Our technical team is available to evaluate the specific impacts of this ordinance on our clients’ assets.

For further information, please contact patents@tavaresoffice.com.br.

Brazil is emerging as a significant player in the global innovation landscape. But turning that potential into a real competitive advantage requires a solid Intellectual Property (IP) framework. At the heart of this discussion are Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) and technology standards, two pillars that shape access to technology, investment flows, and the ability of Brazilian companies to compete internationally.

Understanding SEPs and Their Strategic Role

SEPs are patents that cover technologies indispensable to implementing global standards such as 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi. Any manufacturer or developer operating within these standards must access these technologies, making licensing a critical business and legal issue.

To balance the rights of patent holders with broad market access, SEP owners commit to licensing under FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory) terms:

• Fair: compensation reflects the true value of the innovation
• Reasonable: terms do not create prohibitive barriers for licensees
• Non-discriminatory: comparable treatment for similarly situated parties

Navigating FRAND licensing (whether as a patent holder or a licensee) requires both technical understanding and strategic IP counsel.

Technology Standards as Innovation Infrastructure

Global standards are far more than technical specifications. They function as the invisible infrastructure of innovation, providing:

• Interoperability across devices and networks from different manufacturers
• Regulatory predictability for investors and technology developers
• Scalable access to cutting-edge technologies, particularly for SMEs

In Brazil, where SMEs account for nearly 70% of formal employment, this access directly impacts economic inclusion and value creation.

APIs and the Modular Innovation Ecosystem

If SEPs secure the technological foundation of connectivity, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the operational layer on which developers build real-world solutions. The combination of open standards and well-structured APIs creates a modular innovation environment that:

• Lowers entry barriers for startups and SMEs
• Enables IoT and smart city solutions without reinventing the wheel
• Facilitates integration into global value chains

IP as the Foundation of Legal Certainty

Sustainable innovation demands legal stability. A strong IP regime delivers:

• Protection for R&D investments
• Reduced regulatory uncertainty
• Clear economic incentives to keep innovating

For international companies exploring partnerships or operations in Brazil, understanding the local IP framework, including how SEPs are treated, is a non-negotiable strategic step.

When properly managed, the ecosystem of technology standards and SEPs acts as a powerful engine for democratizing technology and accelerating innovation. Whether you are a patent holder, a licensee, or a company entering the Brazilian market, expert IP guidance is essential.

Tavares IP specializes in intellectual property strategy for both domestic and international clients operating in Brazil and across borders. Reach out to find out how we can help protect your most valuable assets.

The expiration of the semaglutide patent sparked a global conversation about the balance between innovation protection and market access. In Brazil, that same tension is playing out in a less visible but equally high-stakes arena: agribusiness. At the center of the conflict are agricultural biotech patents, royalties allegedly charged beyond their legal term, and a bill that could reshape IP rules across multiple industries.

The Intacta RR2 PRO Case: Patents, Soybeans, and R$5 Billion at Stake

The Intacta RR2 PRO technology, developed by Monsanto and later acquired by Bayer, is present in approximately 80% of Brazil’s soybean fields. It offers resistance to pests and herbicides, reducing operational costs for farmers, who pay royalties in return.

The issue: several of the patents underpinning those royalties have already expired.

Judicial investigation revealed that:

• Patent PI9816295-0 expired in March 2018
• Patent PI0016460-7 expired in December 2020
• Patent PI0610654-4, still active, expires in May 2026

Despite these expirations, Aprosoja-MT (the Mato Grosso Soybean Producers Association) argues that full royalties were still charged. With average soybean profitability at roughly R$85.50 per hectare and royalties of approximately R$280 per hectare, two-thirds of which allegedly relate to expired patents, farmers claim they have been paying for technology that should legally be in the public domain.

State courts in Mato Grosso ruled in favor of producers in both the first and second instances, ordering reimbursement of improperly charged fees, plus interest and a monetary correction. Estimated amounts exceed R$5 billion in that state alone, with similar cases pending in Bahia, Goiás, Piauí, Tocantins, and Rio Grande do Sul.

Bill No. 5810/2025: Reform or New Risk?

Running parallel to this dispute is Bill No. 5810/2025, which proposes compensating for delays at the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) by extending patent protection by up to 5 years.

The bill has support from innovation-driven industries but faces strong opposition. A coalition of agribusiness and pharmaceutical associations warns of serious risks:

• Creation of artificial monopolies with unpredictable timelines
• Delayed market entry of post-patent products
• Higher costs for essential medicines and agricultural inputs
• Prevention of mature technologies from entering the public domain

There is also a significant constitutional hurdle: Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF), in its ruling on ADI 5529, declared unconstitutional the extension of patent terms based on administrative delays at the BPTO — casting serious doubt on the bill’s legal viability.

Key Takeaways for International Companies

For foreign companies operating or investing in Brazil — particularly in pharma, agtech, or biotech — this case carries important strategic implications:

• Patent due diligence is non-negotiable before any licensing deal or technology acquisition in Brazil
• A valid BPTO registration does not rule out litigation — courts may challenge charges retroactively
• Pending legislative changes could affect patent term strategies and IP asset planning
• Brazilian courts and trade associations increasingly scrutinize transparency in licensing

The Intacta case is a striking example of how poor management of a patent portfolio’s lifecycle can generate billion-dollar liabilities and structural conflicts with business partners. For IP rights holders in Brazil, actively monitoring patents and maintaining transparency in licensing relationships is not just best practice — it is a strategic imperative.

Tavares IP advises patent holders, licensees, and international companies in Brazil at all stages of the IP lifecycle. Contact us to learn how to protect and manage your assets with legal certainty.