Intellectual Property lawyers in Argentina (SO)

Intellectual property lawyers in Argentina handle several key responsibilities:

• Filing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications with INPI
• Representing clients in IP litigation before Federal Courts
• Drafting and negotiating licensing agreements
• Conducting IP audits and due diligence
• Enforcing rights against counterfeiting and infringement
• Advising on copyright protection strategies

These attorneys work primarily in Buenos Aires where the National Institute of Industrial Property is headquartered, but also operate throughout the country in cities like Córdoba, Rosario, and Mendoza.

The cost to register a trademark in Argentina includes both government fees and attorney fees. As of 2023, the basic government filing fee at the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) is approximately 6,000-8,000 Argentine pesos per class. Attorney fees typically range from USD 300-800 for a standard application. The total process usually costs between USD 500-1,200 for a single class, depending on the complexity and whether oppositions are filed. Multi-class applications incur additional fees per class. These costs may change, so it’s advisable to request a current quote from a trademark attorney in Argentina through intellectual-property.org.

Patents are vital for the pharmaceutical industry in Buenos Aires for several reasons:

1. They provide 20-year exclusive rights to manufacture and sell new drugs
2. They protect the substantial R&D investments (often exceeding $1 billion per drug)
3. They attract foreign investment to Buenos Aires’s growing biotech sector
4. They enable licensing opportunities with international pharmaceutical companies

Buenos Aires hosts most of Argentina’s pharmaceutical research facilities, including those in Parque Patricios and the scientific-technological pole. Patent attorneys in Argentina frequently obtain preliminary injunctions to prevent generic manufacturers from infringing pharmaceutical patents, making legal representation essential for companies in this sector.

Businesses should seek copyright protection in Argentina when creating or using original works including software, literary works, music, films, and artistic creations. While copyright protection is automatic upon creation, registration with the National Copyright Office (DNDA) in Buenos Aires provides crucial evidence of ownership and publication date. Registration is particularly important before commercializing works in Argentine markets, licensing content to local distributors, or when planning to enforce rights against infringement. The process requires filing appropriate documentation with the DNDA and paying registration fees. Copyright in Argentina lasts for the author’s life plus 70 years, providing long-term protection for creative assets.

Trademark infringement in Argentina occurs most frequently in these areas:

• La Salada market in Buenos Aires – South America’s largest informal market
• Once neighborhood in Buenos Aires – known for electronics and counterfeit goods
• Triple Frontier area where Argentina meets Brazil and Paraguay (Puerto Iguazú)
• Border cities in Misiones and Formosa provinces
• Shopping centers in Córdoba and Rosario

These locations require targeted enforcement strategies from trademark attorneys in Argentina. The Federal Police and Customs authorities conduct regular anti-counterfeiting operations in these areas, often requiring trademark owners to file criminal complaints through their legal representatives to initiate seizures.

Trade secret laws in Argentina differ from neighboring countries in several ways. Argentina protects trade secrets through Law 24,766 (Confidentiality Law) and provisions in the Criminal Code, while Brazil has dedicated provisions in its Industrial Property Law. Argentina provides criminal penalties of up to 6 years for trade secret theft, which is stronger than Chile’s maximum 5-year sentence. Unlike Uruguay, Argentina doesn’t require registration of confidential information. The burden of proof in Argentina is on the plaintiff to demonstrate reasonable measures were taken to maintain secrecy, similar to Paraguay but more stringent than Bolivia. These differences make working with an attorney in Argentina essential when developing cross-border trade secret strategies in South America.