mARCH 2012 www.lawyer-monthly.com Investing in Mexico 53

Not only are there many opportunities for investors in Mexico, but the country’s strategic position in relation to the US also makes it an attractive location

sectors, and the development of the services and infrastructure necessary to participate actively in the international market. Of course, with a growing

commercial and industrial market, comes growing concerns and issues revolving around intellectual property. Intellectual Property Guardians predominantly represent the IP interests of artists and people in show business, as well as clients within the food and drink industry. Mr Bourgoing said: “It is good news

for Mexico, after many years having only had appelations of origin such as tequila and mezcal, Mexican companies have worked hand in hand together with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property IMPI www.impi.gob.mx. On February 12th 2012, the Ministry of Economy, through the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), presented the Government of Morelos with the declaration of Certified Designation of Origin "Rice of the State of Morelos." “The Declaration's protection

includes the rice's plant, seed and grain in four varieties: palay, brown or integral, pulido and derivates thereof. As (illogically) established in the Mexican Industrial Property Law, the Mexican Government is the owner of the new appellation and the producers will obtain the corresponding use authorizations.

“Here is a list of the pending and appellations of origins that we have is below:” • Tequila. Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán y Tamaulipas (1974).

• Mezcal, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Durango, Zacatecas y San Luis Potosí (1994).

• Arroz del estado de Morelos (2012) • Olinalá, Guerrero (1994). • Talavera, Puebla y municipios de Tlaxcala (1995).

• Bacanora, Sonora (2000). • Ámbar de Chiapas, Chiapas (2000).

• Café de Veracruz, Veracruz (2000).

• Sotol, Chihuahua, Coahuila y Durango (2001).

• Charanda, Michoacán (2001). • Café Chiapas, Chiapas (2001). • Mango Ataulfo del Soconusco, Chiapas (2003).

• Chile Habanero de Yucatán (2005) (suspendida pero en proceso).

• Vainilla de Papantla (2004). • Café Pluma de Oaxaca (2004) (pendiente pero en proceso). LM

Contact: Ed Bourgoing

Intellectual Property Guardians Epsilon 181 Col. Romero de Terreros Mexico D.F. 04310

Tel: (525) 56584724 Fax: (525) 55544149

Email: ebourgoing@ipguardians.com