After 70 days of following strict measures to prevent high rates of infection, on June 1, 2020, some of the measures that were announced when phase 2 started were modified in accordance with the reopening plan issued by the Federal Government on May 29, 2020 based on an alert system in cities and regions in the country. The reopening plan has been criticized, as the reported numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Mexico are still increasing.

This is not the first time that Mexico has been through a health crisis as a result of a virus. In 2009, Mexico was battling the AH1N1 disease. In April 2009, the WHO declared that a pandemic was imminent. At that time, there were two patented treatments for the AH1N1 disease, OSELTAMIVIR and ZANAMIVIR. Nonetheless, the requirements for compulsory licenses were not met, as there was nothing that indicated that pharmaceutical companies were unable to supply drugs, that they had set prices too high or that they were blocking distribution. Although the General Health Council (GHC) did declare a state of emergency, it did not publish a final declaration for compulsory licenses in the Official Gazette.

In short, Article 77 of the Industrial Property Law establishes that for emergency or national security reasons, including serious diseases declared by the GHC, IMPI will determine that certain patents can be exploited through a compulsory license for reasons of “public benefit”, when the lack of a license would hinder or overvalue the production, supply or distribution of basic goods to the population. In cases of serious diseases, in order for IMPI to make such a determination, the GHC must publish a declaration of national emergency in the Official Gazette, then pharmaceutical companies may apply to obtain licenses, after a hearing of the parties and in accordance with the opinion of the GHC. Such decision should be issued within a period of 90 days from the date of submission of the application before IMPI.

Within the next two weeks and due to the imminent entry in force of the new USMCA, the Mexican Senate will discuss and eventually approve the new IP Law in Mexico. Notwithstanding the above two relevant and historical precedents, there is not a single proposal for change in the wording of the provisions establishing the process of compulsory licenses in relation to cause of emergency. In addition, the related provisions are ambiguous and include absurd statutory terms for decisions, which is still included within the corresponding provision in the proposals for the new law. Because compulsory licenses should be applied in causes of emergency and only when the extreme conditions are met, as a law firm devoted to IP protection OLIVARES hopes the prerequisites for compulsory licenses are not met. We are, however, eager to have a better law in place for this topic.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE CONTACT:

Abraham Díaz

Abraham Díaz

Partner

Abraham Díaz “adds value for clients with diverse portfolios as a result of his tripartite copyright, trademark and unfair competition expertise,” according to World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000. He co-chairs OLIVARES’ Litigation Team, as well as Data Privacy and IT Industry groups and has a wealth of knowledge across all areas of intellectual property (IP), with a focus on litigation, copyright, trademarks, unfair competition, licensing, prosecution and opposition matters. He also counsels clients on trade dress, product configuration, advertising, false advertising, trade secrets, plant breeders’ rights, vegetal varieties; right of publicity; Internet and digital environment related issues, IT and Data Privacy matters.
Alejandro Luna Fandiño

Alejandro Luna Fandiño

Partner

Alejandro Luna joined OLIVARES in 1996 and being made partner in 2005, he has been instrumental to the firm´s IP Litigation, Regulatory and Administrative Litigation practices. He co-chairs the Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical Law industry group and coordinates the Litigation Department.
Armando Arenas

Armando Arenas

Partner

Armando Arenas joined OLIVARES in 2000 and became a partner in January 2017. He has experience working on a range of IP matters, including consulting and litigation on trademark, patent, unfair competition, trade dress protection, and misleading advertising cases before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), Federal Court of Tax and Administrative Affairs (FCTA), Federal Circuit Courts (FCC) and the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) Regulatory Affairs and Public Acquisitions.
Daniel Sánchez

Daniel Sánchez

Partner

Daniel Sanchez joined OLIVARES in 2000 and became a partner in 2011. He is one of the leading intellectual property (IP) and administrative litigators in Mexico and is recognized by industry rankings and publications.
Gustavo A. Alcocer

Gustavo A. Alcocer

Partner

Gustavo Alcocer manages the Corporate and Commercial Law Group at OLIVARES, advising domestic and foreign businesses and the owners of those businesses on Mexican and cross-border corporate and commercial transactions.
Sergio L. Olivares Sr.

Sergio L. Olivares Sr.

Partner

Sergio L. Olivares Sr. joined OLIVARES in 1987 and today leads the firm with strength and a commitment to transparency, client satisfaction, and personal service. He has been a partner since 1994 and Chairman of the Management Committee since 2009.

ASSOCIATES

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