Uruguay, since 1995 is a member of the ADPIC (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), which is part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. The ADPIC agreement establishes minimum standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and geographical indications. Uruguay, as a member, complies with these international standards to protect intellectual property within its borders and in international trade.
On October 7, 2024, Uruguay deposited its instrument of accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), becoming the 158th member of the PCT Union. The treaty entered into force for Uruguay on January 7, 2025, enabling Uruguayan inventors and companies to file international patent applications under the PCT system and allowing foreign applicants to seek patent protection in Uruguay through the same mechanism. This accession is a significant milestone in Uruguay’s efforts to strengthen its intellectual property framework and foster innovation. By joining the PCT, Uruguay aims to streamline the patent application process, reduce associated costs, and enhance legal certainty for inventors and investors. However, it’s noteworthy that Uruguay has made a reservation concerning Chapter II of the PCT, which pertains to the international preliminary examination of patent applications. This means that Uruguay is not bound by the provisions of Chapter II, and such examinations will not be automatically conducted for applications entering the national phase in Uruguay. The country’s integration into the PCT system is expected to bolster its position as an attractive destination for innovation and investment in the region.
In any foreign market, companies should consider several general principles for effective protection of their intellectual property. For more information, read our article “Protecting Intellectual Property” and visit Stopfakes.gov, or contact ITA’s Office of Standards and Intellectual Property Rights (OSIP) Director, Stevan Mitchell at Stevan.Mitchell@trade.gov.
IPR Contact for Uruguay
IP Attaché Contact for Uruguay, resident in Brazil
Cairo Jennings, IP Specialist
U.S. Consulate General
Av. Presidente Wilson, 147, 4th floor
20030-020 – Rio de Janeiro. Brazil
Office Phone: +55 21-3823-2499
Cairo.Jennings@trade.gov
Additional information on Intellectual Property can be found in the State Department’s Investment Climate Statement