By means of Resolution No. 139/2026, published in the Official Bulletin on May 6, 2026, the Argentine National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) eliminated the administrative mechanism known as the “call of attention” (llamado de atención) for all new trademark applications filed on or after March 1, 2026.
This measure completes the procedural reform initiated by INPI Resolution No. P-583/25 and has important practical implications for any third party seeking to challenge the registration of a trademark in Argentina.
What Was a “Call of Attention”?
A “call of attention” was an administrative practice—not provided for under the Argentine Trademark Law No. 22,362—through which a third party could inform the INPI of potential grounds for refusing the registration of a trademark application before the registrability examination was conducted.
In practice, it was commonly used as a form of late opposition, allowing a third party that had failed to file a formal opposition within the statutory deadline to request that the INPI nevertheless consider its objections during examination.
In addition, a “call of attention” was automatically generated whenever an opponent failed to pay the opposition maintenance fee within the prescribed deadline.
Although the INPI was not obliged to do so, it had discretion to take such “calls of attention” into account when examining the trademark application.
What Changes Under Resolution No. 139/2026?
The filing of “calls of attention” will no longer be accepted.
From now on, any third party wishing to object to the registration of a trademark must do so exclusively by filing a formal opposition within the 30-calendar-day opposition period following publication of the application in the Argentine Trademark Gazette.
Until now, if the opponent failed to pay the opposition maintenance fee within the applicable deadline, the opposition was automatically converted into a “call of attention”, which the INPI could still consider during examination.
Under the new rules, failure to pay the maintenance fee will result in the automatic lapse of the opposition, with no conversion into a “call to attention” and no further administrative review.
According to the Resolution, an opponent who chooses not to maintain its opposition is presumed to have lost the legal interest that originally justified it, and any contrary presumption would be legally inadmissible.
Transitional Regime
Trademark Applications Filed on or Before February 28, 2026
- “Calls of attention” remain admissible (provided that the application has not yet been examined).
- An opposition that is not maintained will continue to be automatically converted into a “call of attention.”
Trademark Applications Filed on or After March 1, 2026
- “Calls of attention” are no longer permitted.
- An opposition that is not maintained will automatically lapse, without conversion and without producing any effect on the examination of the trademark application.
What Are the Practical Implications?
For trademark owners and applicants, this reform further highlights the importance of actively monitoring publications in the Argentine Trademark Bulletin and filing trademark oppositions within the statutory deadline, as there is no longer any alternative mechanism for bringing potential conflicts to the attention of the INPI.
Likewise, parties that have already filed an opposition should bear in mind that, if they later decide not to maintain it by paying the required maintenance fee, the opposition will simply lapse and will have no effect whatsoever on the prosecution of the challenged trademark application.
If you require advice regarding trademark oppositions or trademark protection strategies in Argentina, contact us.
