INPI Brazil Modernizes IP Fee Structure to Boost Innovation and Accessibility

Overview

Brazil’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) has overhauled its Schedule of Fees for Industrial Property Services, effective 7 August 2025, with staged changes through 20 September 2025 (trademarks) and 20 December 2025 (patents/designs). The reform is formalized by Ordinance GM/MDIC No. 110/2025 and Ordinance INPI/PR No. 10/2025, and introduces new services, automation, and a rebalancing of when costs are paid.

What actually changes

• Front-loaded costs for trademarks: Filing fees rise materially and now cover the first 10-year term and certificate issuance, with no final fee due at allowance after 20 September 2025. Example (per class):
  • Filing with standard specification (Code 389): BRL 360,00 before 20-Sep / BRL 880,00 from 20-Sep
  • Filing with free specification (Code 394): BRL 420,00 before 20-Sep / BRL 1.720,00 from 20-Sep
  • First decennial + certificate (Codes 372/373): shown as 0,00 from 20-Sep (covered at filing)
• Patents/designs follow in December: Issuance (grant) fees drop to zero from 20 December 2025 (Codes 212/213), while examination fees and annuities are adjusted.
• Discounts remain and were clarified by INPI: Updates for trademark services (372, 373, 3011, 3012) take effect 20 September 2025; for patents (212/213), 20 December 2025 — reflecting system readiness and discount policy.
• Clarification: “Zero-fee renewals” means zero fee for issuing the renewal certificate. The renewal request itself still has a fee (Codes 374/375 for prorrogação).

Trademarks — Filing & Grant (per class)

“Zero-fee renewals” refer to the certificate issuance becoming zero-fee; the renewal request itself still carries a fee.

Patents — Grant & Examination (selected)

Zero-Fee Items (automation/waivers)

New Services

Services Deactivated

Action Checklist (Share with Clients)

1. Time filings strategically: trademarks before 20-Sep; consider patent/design timing vs. 20-Dec grant fee removal.
2. Update GRUs & internal codes: replace deactivated/renamed services in templates and billing.
3. Educate stakeholders: “zero-fee” often refers to certificate issuance, not the underlying filing/renewal action.
4. Portfolio audit: prioritize critical classes/specifications (standard vs. free) to manage the BRL 880 / 1.720 per-class impact.
5. Monitor INPI notices: track phased roll-out and operational notes affecting discounts and automation.