Action Plan for the National Intellectual Property Strategy

On October 18, 2023, RESOLUTION GIPI/MDIC No. 8 was published, approving the Action Plan for the National Intellectual Property Strategy (ENPI) for the upcoming biennium (https://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/resolucao-gipi/mdic-n-8-de-18-de-outrubro-de-2023-518452014).

Among a range of measures contributing to efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness in reaching the ENPI's guiding goals, key targets for the 2023–2025 Action Plan include achieving faster patent application decisions (aiming for decisions within 3 years from the filing date), positioning Brazil in 3rd place globally in number of trademark registrations, and ranking 11th in number of industrial design filings (https://www.gov.br/inpi/pt-br/central-de-conteudo/noticias/plano-de-acao-da-enpi-preve-concessao-de-patentes-em-3-anos-ate-2025).

In support of these goals, recent changes are being implemented under the coordination of the INPI. For instance, regarding Industrial Designs, the INPI has been making enhancements aligned with the publication of the new edition of the Industrial Designs Manual—which establishes technical and formal requirements for new registration applications—and Brazil's accession to the Hague Agreement. In a recent update to its filing system for Industrial Designs, the INPI adopted an adapted framework for simplified application filing, including the implementation of the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) IPAS system (https://www.gov.br/inpi/pt-br/central-de-conteudo/noticias/ipas-entra-em-producao-para-desenhos-industriais).

Furthermore, according to the INPI, among other actions outlined in the ENPI Action Plan aligned with missions set by the National Industrial Development Council (CNDI), additional initiatives include conducting matchmaking in green technologies, promoting diversity among users of the national Intellectual Property system through targeted mentorships, fostering educational initiatives to spread a culture of intellectual property across different educational levels (including the continuation of the "IP in Schools" program and proposals for elementary, technical, and higher education), and establishing an Intellectual Property intelligence unit that will produce semi-annual studies to help identify technological capabilities and trends.

The implementation of all these measures is extremely welcome in the Brazilian market, which plays a prominent role and holds particular global relevance regarding its potential—not only for commercial exploitation but also for leveraging the broad socioeconomic benefits arising from awareness of and respect for Intellectual Property Rights.