News

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO, in partnership with WIPO, has released two new intellectual property guides to support companies in the strategic use of IP assets.

The initiative reinforces IP’s role as a key tool for competitiveness, particularly in international markets.

What do the guides cover

The publications address both foundational concepts and practical applications of IP:

• Ownership of rights
• Licensing and technology transfer
• Integration of IP into business and export strategies
• IP management in commercial agreements

Focus on exports and franchising

The guides target key audiences:

SMEs and exporters

• Using IP as a competitive advantage
• Structuring international market strategies

Franchisors and expanding businesses

• Managing IP in franchise agreements
• Reducing legal risks
• Enhancing security in cross-border operations

Strategic outlook

This initiative highlights a broader trend: the integration of intellectual property into core business strategy.

Companies that actively manage IP tend to gain protection, efficiency, and competitive advantage in global markets.

As of April 13, the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) will adopt WIPO’s e-Filing system for certifying international trademark applications under the Madrid System.

This move represents a step toward greater digitalization and alignment with international practices, improving efficiency and predictability for applicants.

Key practical changes

The e-Filing system introduces several improvements:

• More intuitive completion of the MM2 form
• Automatic data import from BPTO databases
• Integration with MGS for goods and services translation
• Built-in tools to correct irregularities
• Online fee calculation and payment
• Centralized management of international applications

Strategic impact for trademark owners

This adoption strengthens Brazil’s integration into the global IP system and enhances the use of the Madrid System.

For companies and IP firms:

• Faster international filings
• Reduced formal errors
• Greater procedural predictability
• Improved portfolio management

Strategic outlook

The initiative facilitates trademark internationalization and reinforces Brazil’s role in the global IP landscape.

Companies using the Madrid System can expect a more streamlined and reliable filing process.

Tavares IP supports companies in international trademark protection through the Madrid System, ensuring efficiency and strategic alignment.

Contact our team to optimize your global trademark strategy.

The expiration of semaglutide’s patent in Brazil marks a relevant shift in the pharmaceutical landscape. After 20 years of exclusivity, other companies can now develop generic or similar versions, subject to regulatory approval.

Immediate impacts

• Increased market competition
• Potential price reduction
• Broader access to treatments
• New opportunities for pharmaceutical players

From an intellectual property perspective, this case highlights the strategic importance of patent lifecycle management.

What about Mounjaro?

Unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide (Mounjaro) remains under patent protection in Brazil.

• Filing date: June 2016
• Expected expiration: June 2036

Although there are discussions about compulsory licensing, the current situation suggests a low likelihood of an early compulsory patent license, given Brazil’s legal requirements.

Strategic perspective

The contrast between semaglutide and Mounjaro reinforces:

• The importance of patent monitoring
• The direct impact of IP on market dynamics
• Opportunities for post-patent market entry

Tavares IP supports companies in navigating Brazil’s patent landscape, identifying risks, timelines, and market opportunities.

Contact our team to strengthen your IP strategy in Brazil.

Brazil’s Congress has approved the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, after more than two decades of negotiations.

The deal connects markets totaling around 718 million people and a combined GDP of approximately USD 22.4 trillion, strengthening economic integration across both regions.

What changes in practice

The agreement establishes common rules to facilitate trade, including:

• reduction of trade barriers
• increased predictability for businesses and investors
• expansion of goods and services flows

While Brazil moves forward with implementation, the European Union is still addressing internal approval steps and may adopt provisional measures.

Implications for innovation and IP

Regulatory alignment between the blocs is expected to impact intellectual property, potentially leading to:

• greater legal certainty in cross-border operations
• increased technology transfer
• stronger protection of intangible assets

For companies operating internationally, the agreement creates new opportunities for IP protection and commercialization strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

For a detailed analysis of the agreement’s impact on intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and geographical indications, read our full article on the topic.

Brazil’s Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Bill No. 4.972/2019, introducing measures to shorten timelines and expedite patent examination in the country.

The proposal aims to modernize procedures at the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) and address the current backlog of applications.

Key changes

The bill introduces important adjustments to the patent process:

• reduction of the confidentiality period from 18 to 12 months
• reduction of the deadline to request examination from 36 to 18 months

According to rapporteur Renan Calheiros, the measure is intended to improve efficiency and streamline patent processing.

Implications for innovation and IP

These changes may:

• accelerate patent grants
• reduce examination backlog
• improve legal certainty for businesses and investors

Shorter timelines can strengthen Brazil’s position as a more attractive environment for innovation and intellectual property protection.

Brazil and South Africa have announced new measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, with a focus on joint research and technological development.

The meeting between government officials reinforces a partnership established in 2003 and aims to expand initiatives in strategic areas that support innovation and sustainable development.

Priority areas

Key sectors identified for collaboration include:

• bioeconomy and biodiversity
• circular economy
• South Atlantic research
• innovation ecosystems

These areas offer opportunities for applied research and the development of new technologies.

Technological cooperation

The agenda also includes potential collaboration in the space sector, involving institutions such as the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

Possible initiatives include:

• satellite-based environmental monitoring
• geospatial data analysis
• applied scientific research

Implications for innovation and intellectual property

International research partnerships often lead to:

• the development of new technologies
• technology transfer initiatives
• the creation of intellectual property assets

Strengthening cooperation between Brazil and South Africa may therefore generate new opportunities for innovation and the protection of technologies developed through international collaboration.

The patent on semaglutide is nearing expiration in Brazil, renewing attention to discussions about patent terms and access to medicines.

The Supreme Court of Justice recently decided not to extend the patent’s validity, reinforcing the principle that patent protection must follow the term established under Brazilian law.

The 20-year patent rule

Under Brazilian patent law, invention patents are granted for 20 years from the filing date before the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office.

In this case, the patent holder argued that administrative delays in the examination process justified an extension. However, Brazilian courts have followed the precedent set by the Brazilian Supreme Court in ADI 5.529, which rejected automatic extensions based on examination delays.

According to the Court, indefinite patent extensions could negatively affect public access to medicines and healthcare costs.

What happens after expiration

Once a patent expires, the protected invention enters the public domain, allowing other pharmaceutical companies to develop alternative versions.

This may lead to:

• the development of generic or similar medicines
• increased market competition
• potential price reductions over time

However, new products must still undergo regulatory approval before reaching the market.

Regulatory considerations

Even after patent expiration, commercialization depends on approval from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency.

Currently, compounding of semaglutide is restricted in Brazil, as the substance is registered as a biotechnological product. Any alternative versions must be evaluated and approved through the appropriate regulatory pathway.

Intellectual property implications

The semaglutide case highlights the ongoing debate between patent protection for innovation and broader access to medicines.

While patents play a crucial role in incentivizing pharmaceutical research and development, their expiration allows greater competition and expanded access to treatments.

As Brazil prepares to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, intellectual property has emerged as a key strategic element in organizing the event.

With the enactment of Provisional Measure No. 1.335/2026 and the creation of a special regime by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO), Brazil has introduced fast-track mechanisms to protect trademarks, industrial designs, and other IP assets associated with the tournament.

Fast-track procedures for trademarks and designs

The new framework establishes priority examination procedures, including:

• Accelerated trademark registration;
• Fast-track industrial design examination;
• Reduced deadlines for appeals.

The goal is to ensure exclusivity and prevent unfair competition, particularly in a highly visible commercial environment.

Expanded protection scope

The measure significantly broadens the range of protected assets, including:

• Automatic recognition of well-known trademarks;
• Preventive blocking of domain names;
• Exclusive rights over “event-related data”;
• Extension of fast-track procedures to patents.

While patents are not typically central to sports events, their inclusion suggests a broader approach to technological protection.

Marketing rights and commercial exclusivity

The measure introduces a broad concept of “marketing rights,” covering:

• Sponsorship and advertising;
• Tourism and hospitality;
• Digital platforms and e-sports;
• Retail and event-related experiences.

It also establishes commercial exclusion zones around venues, restricting non-sponsors’ activities.

Data ownership and digital control

One of the most innovative aspects is the protection of event-related data.

• This may impact:
• Sports betting operators;
• Digital platforms;
• Media companies.

Combined with stricter control over audiovisual content, this reinforces centralized control over monetization in the digital environment.

The recent approval by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies of the provisional trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union marks a step in strengthening economic ties between the blocs, with direct implications for intellectual property, particularly patents, trademarks, and geographical indications.

While the agreement covers multiple strategic sectors, one of its most relevant aspects lies in the consolidation of intellectual property protection standards.

Patent protection and international alignment

Regarding patents, the agreement reaffirms the parties’ commitment to the TRIPS Agreement and to maintaining internationally established standards.

In practice, this means:

• Brazil retains its regulatory flexibility, especially in public health matters;
• Compulsory licensing remains available;
• National policies supporting generic medicines remain in effect.

This is a key point, as it avoids stricter patent rules that could negatively impact access to treatments and the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical sector.

Geographical indications and international protection

One of the most concrete advancements in the agreement is the expansion of protection for geographical indications (GIs).

• The agreement establishes:
• Mutual recognition between Mercosur and the EU;
• Direct protection within the EU without the need for additional registrations;
• Safeguards for prior users of traditional terms.

Brazilian products benefiting from this protection include:

• Cachaça
• Canastra cheese
• Cerrado Mineiro coffee
• Farroupilha wines
• Linhares cocoa
• Pantanal honey

This enhances the global positioning of Brazilian products and increases their added value in international markets.

Strategic impacts on innovation and IP

Although the agreement does not introduce major direct changes to the patent system, it creates important indirect effects:

• Greater legal certainty for cross-border operations;
• Increased incentives for technology transfer;
• Influence of European regulatory standards on Brazilian practices.

This environment favors companies seeking to expand the protection and commercialization of their IP assets internationally.

The Mercosur–EU agreement reflects a balance between trade liberalization and the preservation of Brazil’s regulatory autonomy in intellectual property.

While expanding protection for intangible assets, particularly through geographical indications, it maintains essential mechanisms for public policy and industrial development.

A major Brazilian scientific breakthrough in spinal cord regeneration has drawn global attention, while also highlighting critical challenges in protecting intellectual property for academic innovation.

Developed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the technology uses a substance known as polylaminin to stimulate nerve regeneration shortly after traumatic injury. The first human application within 24 hours of trauma marks a significant milestone in medical science.

From research to disruption

Led by researcher Tatiana Sampaio, the innovation is the result of nearly three decades of scientific development.

Polylaminin acts as a biological scaffold, supporting neuron reconnection and preventing early cell death — a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional treatments focused solely on stabilization.

Early outcomes reinforce a key scientific insight: timely intervention can redefine recovery expectations, even in severe cases.

The warning: loss of international patent protection

Despite its disruptive potential, the case highlights a structural issue: the loss of international patent protection due to funding constraints.

Budget cuts in previous years resulted in the lapse of global patent coverage. The technology remained partially protected in Brazil only through the researcher’s personal financial efforts.

This situation underscores broader risks:

• breakthrough innovations may fail to generate economic returns domestically;
• strategic technologies may be exploited abroad;
• innovation ecosystems weaken without strong IP frameworks.

IP as a cornerstone of innovation strategy

With clinical trials authorized by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), Brazil now seeks to regain momentum.

However, the case sends a clear message to global stakeholders:

Innovation without IP protection limits its commercial and strategic impact.

In sectors such as biotechnology, intellectual property is essential to:

• enable technology transfer;
• secure investment;
• ensure market exclusivity;
• transform research into scalable solutions.