Published on August 27, 2026.
Mexico Strengthens Its Position as an Innovation Hub: IMPI's New Role Under WIPO
If your company is considering protecting an invention, there is now another reason to put Mexico on your intellectual property radar.
During the Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held in Geneva, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) was appointed as an International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
For SMEs, entrepreneurs, technology companies, and foreign businesses planning to expand into Mexico or Latin America, this development has very practical implications.
What Does IMPI's New PCT Designation Change?
With this designation, IMPI becomes the 26th International Authority in the PCT system worldwide and the third operating in Spanish, alongside Spain, Chile.
In practical terms, applicants from PCT member countries—including Mexico—can now choose IMPI as an accredited authority to conduct international searches and preliminary examinations of their patent applications.
This is particularly relevant for companies pursuing international patent protection.
The PCT system allows applicants to seek patent protection in multiple countries through a single international patent application, providing a streamlined process for managing international patent filing and delaying certain national-stage decisions while applicants evaluate their commercial
Why Does This Matter for SMEs and Innovation-Driven Businesses?
If you run an SME or are developing a new technology, having a local authority operating in Spanish can help reduce certain language barriers and simplify interactions involved in the international patent process.
For a Mexican company seeking to protect its technology before entering international markets, having access to an internationally recognized authority within Mexico can make the process more accessible.
It can also be particularly relevant for businesses that are still evaluating which markets justify further patent protection.
Rather than immediately navigating multiple foreign patent offices, applicants can use the PCT framework to obtain an international search and preliminary examination that can provide valuable information for subsequent patent strategy decisions.
For companies developing technology, this can be an important step toward building a global intellectual property strategy.
A Stronger Signal for Investment and Innovation
IMPI Director General Vidal Llerenas highlighted the designation as a step toward strengthening the use of Spanish in the protection of inventions and positioning Latin America as an innovation hub.
The designation was supported by statements from intellectual property offices across Latin America, as well as institutions from Spain, South Korea, Canada, France, China, India, Ukraine, Egypt, and Australia.
For foreign companies considering expansion into Mexico or Latin America, this international recognition provides an additional indication of the technical and institutional capabilities of Mexico’s industrial property system.
For Mexican SMEs, it also reinforces the importance of taking intellectual property protection seriously from the early stages of innovation.
What Does This Mean for Foreign Companies Entering Mexico?
Mexico’s role within the PCT system can also be relevant for foreign companies considering investment, manufacturing, technology development, or commercialization in the country.
Companies entering the Mexican market should consider intellectual property protection as part of their broader market-entry strategy.
Depending on the technology and business model, this may involve:
- Assessing patentability before public disclosure
- Conducting prior-art and patent searches
- Filing a patent application in Mexico
- Evaluating international protection through the PCT
- Identifying priority markets for future national-phase filings
- Reviewing potential third-party patent rights
- Developing a long-term intellectual property strategy
For international businesses, these decisions should ideally be made before entering the market or publicly launching the technology.
The Right Time to Protect Your Innovation Is Now
Whether you are filing your first patent in Mexico or considering international patent protection through the PCT system, specialized guidance can make a significant difference.
The patent process involves strategic decisions that go beyond simply submitting an application. Choosing the right filing strategy, understanding international timelines, evaluating patentability, and determining where protection is commercially valuable can all affect the long-term value of your intellectual property.
At Merida IP, we support companies and entrepreneurs throughout the intellectual property process—from initial strategy and patentability analysis to Mexican and international patent protection.
If you want to understand how Mexico’s new role as a PCT International Authority could benefit your business, contact Mérida IP and let us help you develop the right strategy to protect your innovation.
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