Argentina INPI 2026: No more Apostille for Assignments and Name Changes!

If you're planning to expand your business into South America, take note: the Argentine Trademark Office (INPI) recently issued Resolution No. 162/2026, massively easing up on the paperwork needed for trademark assignments and corporate name changes.

For companies that restructure or change names constantly, this is huge. It's going to save you a fortune in overseas Notarization and Legalization fees, not to mention cutting months off the wait time. However, the new system does come with its own set of traps. Here are the 3 critical things you need to look out for:

1. "No Legalization" only applies to Assignments and Name Changes (With 3 exceptions)
   
   

   (1)	The limit: This shortcut is strictly for assignments and name changes only. Old rules still apply to new applications, oppositions, or renewals.
   (2)	POAs are NOT exempt: The new owner's Power of Attorney (POA) still requires Notarization, Legalization and Apostille.
   (3)	The translation trap: If your assignment agreement isn't in Spanish, it needs a local certified translation in Argentina. However, even if the agreement is bilingual, if the Notary writes the certification sentence in English, that specific part must be translated locally.

   
   
2. Your paperwork now carries the weight of an "Affidavit"
   
   

   (1)	Full responsibility for your data: The new rules introduce a strict honesty policy. Anything you submit is treated as an official affidavit, meaning the applicant takes full responsibility for the data being real. However, the authorities haven't specified the exact penalties for non-compliance yet.
   (2)	The "POA Declaration" system: Under the new updates, you no longer need to attach the physical legalized POA during filing. Instead, you declare within the system that a valid document exists.
   (3)	Risk of random spot checks: If the trademark office conducts a random spot check later and finds that the POA does not exist or has incorrect formatting, all trademark procedures executed under that filing will be invalidated immediately, with no way to correct or salvage the application.

   
   
3. Relaxed filing requirements and new backup procedures
   
   

   (1)	Single-party filings are now permitted: Previously, recording a trademark assignment was highly restrictive because both parties had to submit the application together. The new policy removes this requirement. Now, either the assignor or the assignee can file the assignment independently.
   (2)	Eliminating the protection gap: Under the old system, an assignment only took effect against third parties once the trademark office formally approved it, creating a lengthy gap in legal protection. The new policy clarifies that registration is purely declaratory. This means the legal effect begins the exact day you file the application, offering immediate protection for the buyer.
   (3)	Pre-rejection correction window: In the past, applications with minor documentation errors were often rejected with no opportunity for revision. The new system introduces a formal correction process. Before an official rejection is issued, the office will send a notification, giving applicants a final chance to amend errors or submit missing documents.

Disclaimer All information in this article is only for the purpose of information sharing, instead of professional suggestion. Kaizen will not assume any responsibility for loss or damage.

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