Arquivos do Mês: October 2025

On September 22, in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) signed an agreement extending the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program between the two countries until 2029.

The memorandum was signed during the 17th Meeting of BRICS Intellectual Property Offices, attended by BPTO President Júlio César Moreira and CNIPA Vice Commissioner Lu Pengqi.

Through the PPH, applicants can utilize examination results from one office to expedite the review process in the other, thereby reducing both time and costs. Brazil currently has 35 PPH partnerships, including with Germany, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) and Sebrae held an online event to discuss proposed changes to the rules for registering Geographical Indications (GIs), currently governed by BPTO Ordinance No. 4, dated 2022. A public consultation on the matter is now open and will run until October 17.

Key proposals include merging the preliminary and substantive phases of the application process, a measure that is expected to simplify and accelerate registrations. New requirements for the Bylaws of applicant associations are also under discussion, ensuring stronger accountability from producers throughout all stages of the process, including after registration is granted.

Brazil currently has 142 Geographical Indications across 25 states, covering 1,836 municipalities. In 2025 alone, 16 new GIs have already been recognized in nine states, underscoring the growing importance of this tool in enhancing local production and improving competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

The public consultation is available on the BPTO website.