News

Brazil’s Congress has approved the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, after more than two decades of negotiations.

The deal connects markets totaling around 718 million people and a combined GDP of approximately USD 22.4 trillion, strengthening economic integration across both regions.

What changes in practice

The agreement establishes common rules to facilitate trade, including:

• reduction of trade barriers
• increased predictability for businesses and investors
• expansion of goods and services flows

While Brazil moves forward with implementation, the European Union is still addressing internal approval steps and may adopt provisional measures.

Implications for innovation and IP

Regulatory alignment between the blocs is expected to impact intellectual property, potentially leading to:

• greater legal certainty in cross-border operations
• increased technology transfer
• stronger protection of intangible assets

For companies operating internationally, the agreement creates new opportunities for IP protection and commercialization strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

For a detailed analysis of the agreement’s impact on intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and geographical indications, read our full article on the topic.

Brazil’s Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Bill No. 4.972/2019, introducing measures to shorten timelines and expedite patent examination in the country.

The proposal aims to modernize procedures at the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO) and address the current backlog of applications.

Key changes

The bill introduces important adjustments to the patent process:

• reduction of the confidentiality period from 18 to 12 months
• reduction of the deadline to request examination from 36 to 18 months

According to rapporteur Renan Calheiros, the measure is intended to improve efficiency and streamline patent processing.

Implications for innovation and IP

These changes may:

• accelerate patent grants
• reduce examination backlog
• improve legal certainty for businesses and investors

Shorter timelines can strengthen Brazil’s position as a more attractive environment for innovation and intellectual property protection.

Brazil and South Africa have announced new measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, with a focus on joint research and technological development.

The meeting between government officials reinforces a partnership established in 2003 and aims to expand initiatives in strategic areas that support innovation and sustainable development.

Priority areas

Key sectors identified for collaboration include:

• bioeconomy and biodiversity
• circular economy
• South Atlantic research
• innovation ecosystems

These areas offer opportunities for applied research and the development of new technologies.

Technological cooperation

The agenda also includes potential collaboration in the space sector, involving institutions such as the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

Possible initiatives include:

• satellite-based environmental monitoring
• geospatial data analysis
• applied scientific research

Implications for innovation and intellectual property

International research partnerships often lead to:

• the development of new technologies
• technology transfer initiatives
• the creation of intellectual property assets

Strengthening cooperation between Brazil and South Africa may therefore generate new opportunities for innovation and the protection of technologies developed through international collaboration.

The patent on semaglutide is nearing expiration in Brazil, renewing attention to discussions about patent terms and access to medicines.

The Supreme Court of Justice recently decided not to extend the patent’s validity, reinforcing the principle that patent protection must follow the term established under Brazilian law.

The 20-year patent rule

Under Brazilian patent law, invention patents are granted for 20 years from the filing date before the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office.

In this case, the patent holder argued that administrative delays in the examination process justified an extension. However, Brazilian courts have followed the precedent set by the Brazilian Supreme Court in ADI 5.529, which rejected automatic extensions based on examination delays.

According to the Court, indefinite patent extensions could negatively affect public access to medicines and healthcare costs.

What happens after expiration

Once a patent expires, the protected invention enters the public domain, allowing other pharmaceutical companies to develop alternative versions.

This may lead to:

• the development of generic or similar medicines
• increased market competition
• potential price reductions over time

However, new products must still undergo regulatory approval before reaching the market.

Regulatory considerations

Even after patent expiration, commercialization depends on approval from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency.

Currently, compounding of semaglutide is restricted in Brazil, as the substance is registered as a biotechnological product. Any alternative versions must be evaluated and approved through the appropriate regulatory pathway.

Intellectual property implications

The semaglutide case highlights the ongoing debate between patent protection for innovation and broader access to medicines.

While patents play a crucial role in incentivizing pharmaceutical research and development, their expiration allows greater competition and expanded access to treatments.

As Brazil prepares to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, intellectual property has emerged as a key strategic element in organizing the event.

With the enactment of Provisional Measure No. 1.335/2026 and the creation of a special regime by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO), Brazil has introduced fast-track mechanisms to protect trademarks, industrial designs, and other IP assets associated with the tournament.

Fast-track procedures for trademarks and designs

The new framework establishes priority examination procedures, including:

• Accelerated trademark registration;
• Fast-track industrial design examination;
• Reduced deadlines for appeals.

The goal is to ensure exclusivity and prevent unfair competition, particularly in a highly visible commercial environment.

Expanded protection scope

The measure significantly broadens the range of protected assets, including:

• Automatic recognition of well-known trademarks;
• Preventive blocking of domain names;
• Exclusive rights over “event-related data”;
• Extension of fast-track procedures to patents.

While patents are not typically central to sports events, their inclusion suggests a broader approach to technological protection.

Marketing rights and commercial exclusivity

The measure introduces a broad concept of “marketing rights,” covering:

• Sponsorship and advertising;
• Tourism and hospitality;
• Digital platforms and e-sports;
• Retail and event-related experiences.

It also establishes commercial exclusion zones around venues, restricting non-sponsors’ activities.

Data ownership and digital control

One of the most innovative aspects is the protection of event-related data.

• This may impact:
• Sports betting operators;
• Digital platforms;
• Media companies.

Combined with stricter control over audiovisual content, this reinforces centralized control over monetization in the digital environment.

The recent approval by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies of the provisional trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union marks a step in strengthening economic ties between the blocs, with direct implications for intellectual property, particularly patents, trademarks, and geographical indications.

While the agreement covers multiple strategic sectors, one of its most relevant aspects lies in the consolidation of intellectual property protection standards.

Patent protection and international alignment

Regarding patents, the agreement reaffirms the parties’ commitment to the TRIPS Agreement and to maintaining internationally established standards.

In practice, this means:

• Brazil retains its regulatory flexibility, especially in public health matters;
• Compulsory licensing remains available;
• National policies supporting generic medicines remain in effect.

This is a key point, as it avoids stricter patent rules that could negatively impact access to treatments and the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical sector.

Geographical indications and international protection

One of the most concrete advancements in the agreement is the expansion of protection for geographical indications (GIs).

• The agreement establishes:
• Mutual recognition between Mercosur and the EU;
• Direct protection within the EU without the need for additional registrations;
• Safeguards for prior users of traditional terms.

Brazilian products benefiting from this protection include:

• Cachaça
• Canastra cheese
• Cerrado Mineiro coffee
• Farroupilha wines
• Linhares cocoa
• Pantanal honey

This enhances the global positioning of Brazilian products and increases their added value in international markets.

Strategic impacts on innovation and IP

Although the agreement does not introduce major direct changes to the patent system, it creates important indirect effects:

• Greater legal certainty for cross-border operations;
• Increased incentives for technology transfer;
• Influence of European regulatory standards on Brazilian practices.

This environment favors companies seeking to expand the protection and commercialization of their IP assets internationally.

The Mercosur–EU agreement reflects a balance between trade liberalization and the preservation of Brazil’s regulatory autonomy in intellectual property.

While expanding protection for intangible assets, particularly through geographical indications, it maintains essential mechanisms for public policy and industrial development.

A major Brazilian scientific breakthrough in spinal cord regeneration has drawn global attention, while also highlighting critical challenges in protecting intellectual property for academic innovation.

Developed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the technology uses a substance known as polylaminin to stimulate nerve regeneration shortly after traumatic injury. The first human application within 24 hours of trauma marks a significant milestone in medical science.

From research to disruption

Led by researcher Tatiana Sampaio, the innovation is the result of nearly three decades of scientific development.

Polylaminin acts as a biological scaffold, supporting neuron reconnection and preventing early cell death — a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional treatments focused solely on stabilization.

Early outcomes reinforce a key scientific insight: timely intervention can redefine recovery expectations, even in severe cases.

The warning: loss of international patent protection

Despite its disruptive potential, the case highlights a structural issue: the loss of international patent protection due to funding constraints.

Budget cuts in previous years resulted in the lapse of global patent coverage. The technology remained partially protected in Brazil only through the researcher’s personal financial efforts.

This situation underscores broader risks:

• breakthrough innovations may fail to generate economic returns domestically;
• strategic technologies may be exploited abroad;
• innovation ecosystems weaken without strong IP frameworks.

IP as a cornerstone of innovation strategy

With clinical trials authorized by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), Brazil now seeks to regain momentum.

However, the case sends a clear message to global stakeholders:

Innovation without IP protection limits its commercial and strategic impact.

In sectors such as biotechnology, intellectual property is essential to:

• enable technology transfer;
• secure investment;
• ensure market exclusivity;
• transform research into scalable solutions.

Brazil and India have strengthened their strategic partnership through agreements that connect critical minerals, technology, and intellectual property, reinforcing a shared agenda focused on innovation and sustainable development.

During a meeting between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several memoranda of understanding were signed, including a key agreement on critical minerals and rare earth elements, which are essential to industries such as batteries, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

Brazil’s vast reserves position the country as a strategic partner, while India seeks to diversify supply chains and reduce geopolitical dependencies.

Traditional knowledge and IP protection in focus

A major highlight is the agreement between the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that grants Brazil access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).

Created in 2001, the TKDL contains over 520,000 records of traditional knowledge, including Ayurveda and Yoga practices, serving as a powerful prior art database for patent examination.

Key impacts include:

• Improved patent examination quality;
• Prevention of biopiracy and misappropriation;
• Stronger international IP cooperation.

The database has already supported the rejection or amendment of hundreds of patent applications worldwide.

IP at the core of technological cooperation

The integration of strategic resources and intangible assets highlights a global shift: intellectual property is now central to industrial policy and international collaboration.

Technology transfer initiatives depend on robust IP frameworks (including patents, proprietary knowledge, and data protection) to ensure legal certainty and enable innovation.

At the same time, broader initiatives such as the New Delhi Declaration reinforce the commitment to inclusive and trustworthy AI, expanding the scope of cooperation between both countries.

From an economic perspective, bilateral trade continues to grow, with ambitions to deepen integration into global value chains.

Intellectual Property (IP) plays a key role in economic and social development worldwide. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), creators and innovators use IP rights to turn ideas into strategic assets, generating economic and social benefits across countries.

In this global scenario, Brazil reported strong results in 2025. According to the December 2025 Industrial Property Monthly Bulletin, released by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (BPTO), both IP filings and grants increased, with record figures in patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and software registrations.

Patent filings reached 29,557 applications, a 6.7% increase compared to 2024, marking the strongest performance since 2016. Trademark filings totaled 504,461 applications, up 7.9%, surpassing the 500,000 mark for the first time in Brazil’s historical series.

Industrial designs recorded 9,872 filings (+35.7%), while software registrations reached 7,236 applications (+36.2%), both achieving historic highs. In addition, the BPTO received 20 Geographical Indication applications and seven integrated circuit topology filings in 2025.

Regarding grants, the Office issued 13,624 patents, 176,559 trademarks, 8,456 industrial designs, and 6,892 software registrations, with industrial design grants more than doubling year-on-year.

The data also highlights the profile of applicants. Individuals accounted for 39% of resident patent filings. In comparison, microentrepreneurs and micro and small enterprises accounted for 48% of trademark applications, underscoring the importance of IP protection for small businesses and individual innovators.

Overall, the figures confirm the positive evolution of Brazil’s IP system, driven by digital transformation, increased innovation demand, and the ongoing modernization of the BPTO, reinforcing Brazil’s position as a relevant jurisdiction for IP protection in Latin America.

On Monday (9), Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies approved, by 337 votes to 19, an urgent procedure for a bill that allows the compulsory licensing of patents related to Mounjaro and Zepbound. The approval places the proposal on a fast-track, bypassing committee review and moving directly to a plenary vote.

The medications are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, and the bill seeks to amend Brazil’s intellectual property framework to allow compulsory licenses for public-interest purposes.

Rationale behind the proposal

According to the bill’s justification, the high market prices of these drugs prevent their large-scale adoption, particularly in public health policies. The author argues that the current cost structure is incompatible with mass treatment strategies in a country with more than 200 million inhabitants, many of whom could benefit from such therapies.

The proposal also highlights that Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS) is unable to absorb these medicines due to their elevated cost.

Parallel initiative in the Senate

A similar initiative is currently under discussion in the Brazilian Senate. The bill proposes a temporary suspension of the tirzepatide patent, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, on public-interest grounds. The proposal includes provisions for local manufacturing and expanded access to obesity treatment within the public healthcare system.

IP implications

These legislative initiatives revive discussions on the balance between patent protection and public health policies, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. If approved, compulsory licensing measures may significantly impact patent strategies, pricing models, technology transfer agreements, and investment decisions in Brazil.