Chip Protection In Mexico

In compliance with the provisions of the GATT/TRIPS agreement and NAFTA, the Mexican Industrial Property Law has been amended by means of a decree published in the Official Gazette of December 26, 1997, in order to incorporate a full new chapter relating to the protection and enforcement of layout designs for integrated circuits or chip topographies, said amendments having entered into full force and effect as of January 1st., 1998.

A brief summary of the main provisions of said new chapter are described in what follows:

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION:

1) A registration application must be filed with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), including:
a) A declaration under oath that will specify the date and place of the first ordinary commercial exploitation anywhere in the world, or that will specify that there has been no exploitation.