Priority trademark processing at Brazil’s INPI: how to fast-track your trademark application?

Introduction

Brazil is one of Latin America’s most dynamic markets, and trademark protection is a key strategic priority for both foreign and domestic companies. Brazil’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) faces a considerable volume of registration applications, which can significantly extend examination timelines. In light of this, INPI has introduced an accelerated examination mechanism known as the « trâmite prioritário de marcas ».

This mechanism, governed by several successive administrative orders and currently structured around a pilot project, allows certain applicants to obtain a registration decision much faster than under the standard procedure.

The Brazilian expedited examination procedure (“trâmite prioritário”): what is it?

The « trâmite prioritário » refers to an accelerated examination procedure for trademark registration applications filed with Brazil’s INPI. This mechanism allows certain applications, when the required conditions are met, to be examined under a priority order distinct from the one applicable to the standard procedure.

Legal framework

The regulatory framework for priority trademark processing in Brazil has evolved significantly in 2025 and 2026. The instruments currently in force are as follows:

Several earlier ordinances have been revoked (Nos. 28/2025, 29/2025, 39/2025), reflecting INPI’s intention to progressively refine this mechanism.

Objectives of the mechanism

Priority trademark processing pursues two complementary objectives:

• Facilitating the resolution of trademark conflicts and disputes;
• Accelerating processes that foster innovation and growth in Brazil.

This mechanism is part of the pilot project, whose implementation is subject to continuous evaluation for improvement purposes. INPI publishes weekly statistics to ensure transparent monitoring of the mechanism.

Eligibility requirements and conditions for accessing the Brazilian expedited examination procedure

Brazil’s IP Office distinguishes between several ways of accessing the accelerated examination procedure: some are available free of charge to specific categories of beneficiaries, while others fall within the scope of the pilot project and are based on strategic or public policy grounds.

Free-of-charge access to priority processing

Certain applicants are entitled to free access to priority processing under the law. These include:

• Elderly persons;
• Persons with disabilities;
• Persons with serious illnesses;
• Legal entities classified under the Inova Simples program.

For these categories, priority processing is available free of charge, upon submission of the required supporting documents.

Access to priority processing on strategic or public policy grounds

For other applicants, the pilot project provides various priority treatment options based on strategic objectives or public policy considerations. This priority treatment is not automatic: the applicant must fall within one of the 13 eligibility situations defined by Brazil’s INPI. These include in particular:

• An opposition based on a right of precedence;
• The need to obtain registration in order to unlock public funding;
• The existence of court proceedings concerning the sign;
• A good or service linked to a patent benefiting from priority examination;
• Status as a scientific, technological, and innovation institution;
• Participation in an INPI mentoring program;
• A situation of public interest, national emergency, or connection to a government program;
• The need to obtain registration in order to access an online marketplace;
• Membership in or representation of traditional peoples or communities, or family farming;
• Start-up status;
• Certain applications relating to the Madrid Protocol;
• The existence of a reciprocity agreement on priority treatment with Brazil;
• The need to obtain registration in order to secure an administrative authorisation, permit, or concession.

The complete list of these grounds, along with the supporting documents required for each, is set out in normative Ordinance INPI/PR No. 66/2026, available on the official website of Brazil’s INPI.

The number of applications admitted may also be limited by category and by applicant.

The applicable fee is:

• BRL 890.00 at the standard rate;
• BRL 445.00 after a 50% reduction, in particular for micro-enterprises, individual micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as certain teaching and research institutions and certain public bodies.

Government modality (federal events)

A specific modality exists for federal government entities whose trademarks risk being unduly appropriated due to their exposure during major events. This modality can only be activated by the Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic (SECOM).

How to file a request for expedited examination in Brazil?

Prerequisites

To file a request for priority processing, applicants must have already filed a trademark registration application with Brazil’s INPI, or have a pending petition. The file number assigned upon initial filing is required for the following steps.

Procedure steps

Step 1: Issuing the GRU

The first step consists of issuing an official payment slip (« Guia de Recolhimento da União » or « GRU ») via the portal: https://meu.inpi.gov.br/pag/. Issuing this slip is mandatory even where the service is free of charge.

Step 2: Paying the GRU

The corresponding fee, where applicable, must be paid.

Step 3: Completing the online form

The priority processing request form is available at: https://gru.inpi.gov.br/emarcas/. Mandatory documents not already included in the file must be attached. The applicant must certify the accuracy of the information provided.

Step 4: Monitoring the application

INPI evaluates priority processing requests in accordance with Ordinance No. 08/2022 and the specific Ordinances No. 66/2026 and No. 67/2026. The decision is published in the Official Gazette of Brazil’s INPI.

Statistics and pilot project monitoring

INPI publishes updated statistics each week covering:

• The number of procedures completed;
• The average decision time;
• The decisions issued within each modality.

This data allows applicants to assess the effectiveness of the mechanism and provides INPI with a management tool as part of the pilot project’s continuous improvement.

This statistical transparency also sends a positive signal to foreign companies considering investing in trademark protection in Brazil: it demonstrates INPI’s commitment to modernising its processes and reducing examination timelines.

Conclusion

Priority trademark processing represents a concrete opportunity for companies seeking to accelerate the protection of their intangible assets in Brazil. Governed by ordinances recently updated in 2026, this mechanism is now structured around a pilot project subject to quotas, which calls for strategic anticipation on the part of applicants.

Dreyfus Law Firm supports its clients in managing complex intellectual property matters, offering personalised advice and comprehensive operational support for the complete protection of intellectual property.

Dreyfus Law Firm is in partnership with a global network of attorneys specialising in Intellectual Property.

Nathalie Dreyfus, with the support of the entire Dreyfus team

Q&A

1. Is the accelerated Brazilian examination procedure available to foreign companies?

Yes. Any company, regardless of nationality, may file a request for priority processing provided it has a pending trademark registration application with Brazil’s INPI. The involvement of a local representative (attorney or industrial property counsel) is mandatory for foreign applicants.

2. Can Brazil’s accelerated examination procedure be combined with a filing via the Madrid System?

Madrid System allows Brazil to be designated in an international trademark application. Once the national application has been generated under the Madrid procedure, it is in principle possible to request priority processing for that application, subject to meeting the applicable conditions.

3. What happens if my priority examination request is rejected?

If the priority processing request is rejected by INPI, the trademark registration application does not disappear: it simply continues to be processed in the standard examination queue. In certain cases, a new request may be filed if the conditions are met at a later date.

4. What is the limit on the number of priority processing requests a single company may file?

Brazil’s INPI has set a cap of 10 priority processing requests per applicant. In addition, in 2026, INPI may receive up to 3,000 applications, split into two four-month periods of 1,500 applications each: from 1 May to 31 August, and from 1 September to 31 December. Within each period, at least 100 places are reserved for each of the priority-treatment eligibility grounds.

5. Must supporting documents be submitted in Portuguese?

Yes. Proceedings before Brazil’s INPI are conducted in Portuguese. All documents submitted in support of a priority processing request must be drafted or translated into Portuguese. Foreign companies must ensure the linguistic compliance of their file, which is a further reason to engage a local representative.

This publication is intended for general public guidance and to highlight issues. It is not intended to apply to specific circumstances or to constitute legal advice.