EUIPO welcomes first national trade mark examination guidelines developed by DINAPI Paraguay
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) congratulates Paraguay’s National Directorate of Intellectual Property (DINAPI) on the elaboration of its first national Trade Mark Examination Guidelines. This milestone is a significant step toward reinforcing the accessibility, coherence, and predictability of trade mark examination procedures in Paraguay.
This achievement has been made possible through the AL-INVEST Verde IPR project, an EU-funded cooperation project implemented by the EUIPO designed to promote international IP best practices and foster institutional development. The project contributed to the coming about of the Guidelines by providing DINAPI with substantial technical support in the drafting of the guidelines, using Paraguayan law as the foundation and international references—particularly the EUIPO’s own Guidelines for Examination of European Union Trade Marks—as applicable benchmarks.
The development of the guidelines aimed to enhance the transparency and legal certainty of DINAPI’s examination practices, benefiting IP rights holders and legal professionals both in Paraguay and internationally. By improving the consistency and predictability of DINAPI’s decisions, the guidelines create a more user-friendly environment for trade mark applicants. They consolidate core legal principles, administrative decisions, and case law into a comprehensive and practical reference for trade mark examination, aligning DINAPI’s practices with verified international standards. This effort also contributes to stronger institutional networks, harmonized IP practices, and a more level playing field for innovation and creativity across borders.
The EUIPO remains committed to supporting its Latin American partners in developing modern, transparent, and reliable IP systems to promote fair competition and economic development. Paraguay’s trade mark examination guidelines mark the second national Guidelines edition developed in close collaboration between a national IP office and the EUIPO under the EU-funded AL-INVEST Verde IPR project, following the successful release of Uruguay’s updated trade mark guidelines in November 2024.
The EUIPO builds on years of experience drafting its own Guidelines for Examination of European Union trade marks which are updated on a regular basis. These Guidelines serve as main point of reference for users of the EUTM system and professional advisers who want to ensure they have the latest information on EUIPO examination practices.