MARCH 2007 EDITION ARCHIVE
Legal Updates
Licensing of Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property
Pursuant to the Mexican Industrial Property Law, intellectual property rights may be encumbered, transferred or licensed so long as the formalities of applicable Mexican laws have been met. However, in order for the license, transfer or encumbrance to take effect against third parties, the corresponding agreement or contract must be registered with the Mexican Industrial Property Institute (IMPI). Such formality of Mexican intellectual property law implies that, if one seeks to license... [Read More]Asset Tax (Impuesto al activo) Incentives
On February 20, 2007 asset tax incentives were published in the Official Journal of the Federation applicable to certain taxpayers, which consists of providing an exemption to individuals and corporations whose 2006 fiscal year gross income, derived from business activities and real property leasing used by other taxpayers that pay Mexican asset tax, that do not exceed $4,000,000 (four million) Mexican pesos (approximately $360,000 U.S. dollars). However, these taxpayers must calculate asset... [Read More]Recent Case Decision Regarding International Treaties
The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice has decided that international treaties are subordinated to the provisions of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, but that such treaties have higher priority than federal, state, municipal and federal district laws. The decision comes as a result of various requests for amparo injunctions filed against the North American Free Trade Agreement. By a vote of six to five, the justices that make up the Supreme Court confirmed a previous... [Read More]Registration in the Mexican Business Information System (SIEM)
The Mexican Business Information System (SIEM) is an obligatory public business registry on which all industrial, commercial or service businesses must register in conformity with the provisions of Articles 28 and 29 of the Law of Business Chambers and their Confederations. Registry before the SIEM may be made through business chambers authorized by the Department of the Economy (SECON), in accordance with the trade, activity or location of the business, which requires the completion of a form... [Read More]Business & Politics Outlook
NADBANK Becomes New Priority on Bilateral U.S.-Mexico Agenda
Just days before welcoming his U.S. counterpart, George W. Bush, Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced to the American Chamber of Commerce-Mexico (AMCHAM) his intention to work with the United States to extend the mandate of the North American Development Bank (NADBANK) in order to increase the geographical service area and types of projects that may be financed. The NADBANK, which has its headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, is a bilateral international financial institution created as... [Read More]Cross-Border Trucking Set to Open
On February 23, 2007 the governments of Mexico and the United States of America, through the Department of Economy and Transportation in the case of Mexico, and the Department of Transportation and the United States Trade Representative, announced the implementation of a pilot program that would authorize 100 Mexican trucking companies and 100 U.S. trucking companies to provide cross-border cargo transportation services into the interior of each country, not just in the border commercial zone, as... [Read More]Economic Indicators
Pesos/Dollar Exchange Rate
The quoted exchange rate as of March 8, 2007 was $11.15 pesos per dollar.Mexican Stock Exchange
The Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) closed on March 8, 2007 at 26,773.79 points.Interest Rates
On March 8, 2007, the Average Interbank Interest Rate (TIEE) for a 28-day period was at 7.4550%.Feature Website
www.nadb.org
We recommend that our readers visit the web page of the North American Development Bank, www.nadb.org, where they may consult information concerning the structure, organizational documents and projects of said bilateral development bank.