News

A survey conducted by Nexus – Research and Data Intelligence, based on information from the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO), revealed the sectors with the highest number of patent applications related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Brazil over the last six years.

According to the study, healthcare (25%), industry (14.4%), and agribusiness (8.3%) led the way in filings between 2019 and 2024, out of a total of 264 applications analyzed.

Despite the growing interest, only 3% (8 applications) have been granted so far. Most applications remain under review or have not been approved.

Evolution of AI Patent Applications

The period of greatest activity was between 2020 and 2022:

• 2020: 64 filings
• 2021: 77 filings
• 2022: 78 filings (peak)

Starting in 2023, a significant decline was observed, with only 13 applications registered.

Of the patents granted, five were from Brazilian authors, two from Americans, and one from China. The average review time was approximately 2 years and 11 months.

Connection with the National IP Strategy

The National Intellectual Property Strategy (ENPI), in its 2023-2025 Action Plan, set a goal of reducing patent examination time in Brazil.

• In December 2022, the average was 6.9 years;
• The target is 3 years by June 2025;
• And from 2 years to 2026.

This acceleration is seen as essential to keep up with the dynamics of innovation in disruptive areas such as artificial intelligence.

Main areas of application of AI in patents

Healthcare

• cancer diagnosis,
• insulin measurement,
• improved teleconsultations,
• prediction of heart problems,
• motor rehabilitation,
• hospital waiting list management.

Industry

• predictive maintenance,
• machine learning applied to productivity,
• worker safety,
• quality inspection,
• production of plastic and simulated food.

Agribusiness

• animal monitoring,
• grain classification,
• pest control.

Other notable sectors include energy (7.9%), finance and sales (7.9%), AI systems development (6%), telecommunications (5.7%), and mobility (5.7%).

Filing Profile

The study shows that 59.8% of applications are from Brazil and 40.5% are from abroad. The United States leads the international field (57.9%), followed by China (23.6%) and South Korea (4.7%).

Among the companies, the following stand out:

• Huawei (China): 18 filings
• Petrobras (Brazil): 8 filings
• AIxScan (USA, healthcare): 5 filings
• Paige (USA, healthcare): 5 filings

In Brazil, federal universities (such as UFMG, USP, Unicamp, UFPE, among others) are among the main filers, demonstrating the role of academia in the production of knowledge and technological innovation.

What the scenario reveals

The survey highlights not only the diversity of AI applications in Brazil, but also the international competition for the Brazilian market, with strong participation from companies in the United States and China.

“Although some Brazilian institutions stand out, the significant participation of foreign companies shows how the United States and China have worked to dominate the Brazilian market in this technology,” highlighted Marcelo Tokarski, CEO of Nexus.

At Tavares IP, we closely monitor intellectual property developments in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. Our team is available to assist companies and institutions seeking to protect their innovations in Brazil.

Contact us

The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) has published the study “CADE’s Contributions: Standard Essential Patents”, which analyzes the strategic role of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) and their competitive impacts in highly technological sectors such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, the automotive industry, and IoT.

Released in early August, the document remains highly relevant by placing Brazil in the global debate on SEPs — a topic already consolidated in jurisdictions such as China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.

The study highlights critical points:

• The absence of specific regulation in Brazil.
• Risks of anticompetitive practices;
• And the challenges of harmonization in international disputes.

At Tavares IP, we closely follow these discussions because SEPs are at the core of innovation and international competitiveness. Understanding their evolution is essential for companies seeking to invest in and protect cutting-edge technologies in Brazil.

Read CADE’s full report here: Contribuições-do-Cade-Patentes-Essenciais.pdf

On August 11, BPTO’s President Júlio César Moreira and Luo Wen, Minister of China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), met to discuss bilateral cooperation on Geographical Indications (GIs). This initiative follows the memorandum of understanding signed in May this year, which sets out actions to enhance mutual GI protection, combat counterfeiting, promote information exchange, and organize joint events and training activities.

The Brazil–China partnership seeks to expand the protection of recognized GIs in both countries, fostering the value of origin-based products and boosting international trade. Currently, Brazil has 149 GIs registered with BPTO, while China has 2,861 protected products.

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) has announced updates to the Industrial Design and Geographical Indication Guidelines, effective as of August 8, 2025. These changes follow the implementation of the new Fee Schedule established by INPI/PR Ordinance No. 10/2025, and include a new discount policy and the replacement of traditional paper copies with digital copies, modernizing and streamlining procedures. An exception applies to the priority claim process in industrial design applications, where official paper copies may still be requested.

These updates aim to improve procedural efficiency and align Brazil’s industrial property system with modern, sustainable practices. For further details, stakeholders can access the Industrial Design Guidelines Updates and Geographical Indication Guidelines Updates directly on BPTO’s website.

At the recent summit held in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS member countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) released a joint declaration on artificial intelligence (AI) governance. The statement advocates for a fair, inclusive, and collaborative approach to AI development, with a special focus on intellectual property protection, human rights, and the digital sovereignty of developing nations.

According to the BRICS leaders, AI governance must be aligned with the principles of the UN Charter, ensuring respect for national laws and intellectual property rights, and preventing unauthorized data extraction and the unfair use of protected content. The declaration calls for fair compensation mechanisms for creators and rightsholders.

Key points of the declaration include:

• Open-source AI development to ensure equitable technology sharing;
• Active participation of Global South countries in international standard-setting;
• Transparency, auditability, and safety in AI systems, with efforts to mitigate algorithmic bias;
• Global AI governance led by the United Nations;
• Fair access to digital infrastructure and high-quality data;
• Environmental Sustainability and the Promotion of Decent Work in the Digital Age.

The declaration also emphasizes that public interest must take precedence, calling for human oversight in automated decision-making, efforts to combat disinformation, and inclusive digital education.

BRICS positions itself as a key player in shaping ethical, fair, and inclusive AI governance, amplifying the voice of the developing world in global discussions.

At Tavares IP, we closely follow global discussions on the future of AI and its implications for intellectual property. Contact our team to learn how to safeguard your assets in this evolving landscape.

Get in touch

Brazil has taken another step in strengthening its intellectual property system in the biotechnology field. On June 24, 2025, it officially published Legislative Decree No. 174/25 in its Official Gazette, formalizing its accession to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures.

The treaty simplifies the deposit process for biological materials used in inventions involving living microorganisms, such as those applied in vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and bioinputs. While approved by both chambers of Congress, the treaty must still be ratified by presidential decree to take full legal effect.

Currently, Brazilian inventors are required to send biological samples to foreign depositary institutions, which increases both costs and complexity. Once ratified, Brazil will be able to designate domestic institutions as International Depositary Authorities (IDAs), which will be officially recognized under the treaty.

Potential IDAs include Cenargen (Embrapa) and Fiocruz, provided they meet the treaty’s requirements, such as the ability to issue receipts and maintain sample integrity. The establishment of Brazilian IDAs is expected to reduce technical barriers, improve timelines, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness in biotechnology.

The adoption of the Budapest Treaty reflects Brazil’s commitment to fostering innovation and integrating more strategically into global research and development networks.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Committee of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has approved Bill No. 3236/2024, recognizing athletes’ intellectual property rights over original sports movements they develop. Other committees will still review the proposal before moving to the final voting stage.

The bill allows athletes to register and commercially exploit not only their unique movements but also other elements of their brand, such as name, sports nickname, image, and voice, under Brazilian Industrial Property Law.

Under the proposed text, an original sports movement is defined as a sequence of techniques, gestures, or maneuvers that demonstrate innovation and originality, subject to validation by national or international sports organizations. Registration in Brazil would provide international protection in line with treaties and agreements to which the country is a signatory.

The approved version, presented by rapporteur Deputy Julio Cesar Ribeiro (Republicans-DF), excludes provisions related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in replicating sports movements. According to the rapporteur, AI regulation should be addressed separately under Bill No. 2338/2023, which is still under discussion in the Chamber of Deputies.

The proposal now moves on to be reviewed by the Committees on Industry, Commerce and Services; Sports; Culture; and Constitution, Justice and Citizenship.

On June 11, 2025, the Brazilian Senate approved Legislative Decree Bill No. 466/2022, confirming the country’s accession to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedure. The decree now awaits promulgation.

Administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Budapest Treaty was established in 1977 to simplify the deposit process for biological material required in patent applications involving live microorganisms. With this accession, Brazilian inventors will be able to deposit samples at International Depository Authorities (IDAs) located in Brazil.

Currently, Brazilian researchers must send their biological samples to IDAs abroad, such as those in Mexico or Chile, leading to higher costs and additional procedural hurdles.

Following ratification, Brazil may designate national institutions, like Embrapa’s Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Center (Cenargen), as official IDAs. This development is expected to reduce technical barriers, streamline procedures, and strengthen the Brazilian intellectual property system.

The move is also likely to encourage research and development in Brazil, allowing local researchers to participate more actively in global innovation chains.

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) signed a new technical cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Association of the Pharmaceutical Inputs Industry (ABIQUIFI) during the BIO International Convention 2025, held from June 16 to 19 in Boston, United States.

BPTO’s president, Júlio César Moreira, participated in the 10th Summit Brazil, a side event to the convention, addressing the role of non-clinical research in the development of innovative medicines and therapies. During the event, the partnership between BPTO and ABIQUIFI was formalized.

The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between BPTO and the Brazilian pharmaceutical sector by promoting joint actions for capacity building, technology development, and support for innovation. Planned initiatives include BPTO’s participation in ABIQUIFI-led programs, such as “Inovação Radical” (Radical Innovation), which supports startups and companies focused on solutions for rare and severe diseases, as well as training courses on technology pricing.

Additionally, ABIQUIFI will participate in BPTO-organized activities, including events targeting startups and biotech companies, as well as a mentorship program. The partnership aligns with the objectives of Brazil’s National Intellectual Property Strategy (ENPI), particularly Axis 01 (IP for Competitiveness and Development) and Axis 02 (IP Awareness, Training, and Capacity Building).

The BIO International Convention is recognized as one of the leading global events in biotechnology, attracting approximately 20,000 participants from companies, academia, governments, and investors, with a focus on partnership development and innovative solutions.