The Argentine Trademark Office (TMO) issued Provision No. DI-2024-141-APN-DNM#lNPl on April 19, 2024, allowing refusals, at any stage of the proceedings, for the registration of highly or manifestly
offensive terms as well as words or names that have passed into general use or are related to
celebrities. The provision became effective on April 25, 2024.
Further to Argentine Trademark Law 22.362, a legitimate interest is needed for owning a trademark registration. Moreover, names, words, signs, and advertising slogans that have passed into general use before the application filing date or are contrary to morals and good customs may not be registered.
The trademark procedure comprises three general stages-formal examination, publication, and
substantive examination. According to the new provision, the TMO may refuse trademark applications
at any stage of the proceedings, giving prior notice to the applicant, on these newly defined grounds. At the same time, the applicant may request the TMO to reconsider the decision within 45 days of
receiving formal notice.
Some third-party trademark applications considered contrary to morals and good customs have
already been subject to early refusal-for example, the iconic FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 phrase uttered by Lionel Messi: QUE MIRA BoBo, ANDA PA ALLA.
The new provision stipulates a regulatory framework to accelerate the refusal process, which
previously could only occur during a lengthy substantive examination, which could take from 1O to 12 months from the application filing date.
Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters
of specific concern or interest. Law & Practice updates are published without comment from INTA except where it has taken an
official position.
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