International Activities

JIPA Investigative Delegation to Mexico

JIPA dispatched an Investigative delegation to Mexico from January 22 to 27, 2012. The delegation was headed by Vice President Hiroki Naito. Amidst the recent proliferation of free trade areas, Mexico, which is a member of NAFTA, has been actively promoting the establishment of free trade areas. Mexico has been enjoying a high growth rate that is only second to Brazil and receiving growing interest from the world community. The purpose of this delegation is to gather information on the current situation of Mexico from the perspective of IP activities and IP protection and also to establish collaborative relationships with local institutions.

In Mexico, the delegation visited a total of 9 organizations including the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), IP chamber of the Federal court (SEPI), Tax Administration Service (SAT), IPR Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AmCham), National Research and Advanced Studies Center (Cinvestav), and law firms.

At the IMPI, the delegation met Vice-chairman Alfredo Rendon and obtained information on the current state of technical innovation and IP administration in Mexico. Having heard from him that a legal revision to abolish substantive examination of utility models was under discussion, the delegation requested an opportunity for user organizations such as JIPA to submit public comments. He promised to give Japanese companies a chance to present their opinions.

At the SEPI, the delegation met Judge Maria Anaya and obtained information on the current state of judicial proceedings. He explained that three judges handle 2,500 cases per year including patent cases, which account for about 5% of the total.

At customs, the delegation met Mr. Jaime Martinez and other officers and obtained information on anti-counterfeiting border control. Mexican customs was awarded by WIPO as the best detector of counterfeit goods. The delegation had the impression that Mexican customs was committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of customs officers. Since most of the counterfeits are found in goods imported from China, Mexican customs was making attempts to collaborate with the Chinese authorities. Mexican customs requested Japanese companies¡Ç cooperation in its effort to prevent counterfeits from flowing into the Mexican market.

At AmCham, the delegation learned that the IP committee of AmCham had been carrying out a wide range of anti-counterfeit activities including counterfeit product consumption surveys, consumer awareness raising campaigns, and communications with the Mexican government and that AmCham had been cooperating with U.S. companies in providing educational programs concerning the linkages between innovation and intellectual property.

The delegation will publish a report for your information.

  • at IMPI
  • at Customs
  • at SEPI
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