We wish to inform you that, as from June 12th, 2023, an action for partial cancellation of a trademark due to non use can be filed before INPI (Industrial Property Department) as provided by Resolution 279/2019.
Please note that main features in this new procedure are as follows:
A trademark can be partially cancelled in relation to certain goods/services identified by it, and which have not been used for the last five (5) years or when such goods/services are not related or similar to them. Non use can only be excepted in the event of force majeure or when the trademark has been used as a business designation or as a designation of an activity. The remaining goods/services protected by the trademark -though not attacked by the cancellation action- will remain effective.
- This partial cancellation action can be started against new trademark registrations as well as renewals.
- As it is a positive fact, the burden to submit the relevant proof of use of the trademark shall lie with the trademark owner.
- INPI resolutions can be appealed at an administrative level and, if necessary, the relevant actions be subsequently filed before the National Federal Court of Appeal in Civil and Commercial Matters.
As the multi-class system is not yet available in Argentina, individual cancellation actions should be filed for each trademark (and class) in force.
Though Argentina provides protection for all well-known trademarks (Paris Convention-TRIPS), this specific trademark status should be acknowledged by a Court since our Trademark Office -unlike other trademark offices- has not provided for the required means to obtain such a special acknowledgement at an administrative level.
In view of the above, we advise our clients to provide themselves with a set of items intended as proof of use of the trademark in Argentina (i.e., invoices, advertising material, licence agreements, etc)
This new practice significantly affects the trademark law in our country, and as every new practice it will arouse questions which will be responded to as the so-called partial cancellation actions are implemented, and the criteria applied by INPI are known. However, new preventive strategies of protection should be developed, and to this end, we remain at the entire disposal of our clients and friends.