The Federal Court of Administrative Justice (TFJA) annulled the refusal of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), allowing Lenia Batres Guadarrama to register “Minister of the People” as a distinctive trademark. The unanimous resolution described the previous rejection as illegal, arbitrary and lacking sufficient legal basis.
The Federal Court of Administrative Justice reverses the IMPI decision
Minister Lenia Batres Guadarrama obtained a decisive legal victory against the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. The ruling issued on Thursday, April 16, 2026 by the TFJA invalidates the initial position of the administrative authority, allowing the process for the use of the nickname “Minister of the People” to continue its legal course.
The court ruling highlighted that the IMPI’s actions violated the principles of legality and exhaustiveness. The court based its decision on the existence of direct precedents where the institute granted records linked to public positions and political aspirations without similar restrictions.
- Cited precedents: At least 55 previous cases authorized by the IMPI were identified.
- Examples of brands granted: “Máynez President of Mexico”, “Yúnez my senator” and “Online Deputy”.
- Commercial use: The court highlighted the authorization of the word “President” for the beverage market.
Background and arguments of the conflict over industrial property
The legal dispute originated in 2024, at which time Batres formally requested the epithet to identify his activities in the public sphere. The IMPI based its initial rejection on the premise that the name “Minister of the People” would lead to institutional confusion with the position held in the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.
The administrative authority argued at the time that granting this registration would grant exclusive use of terms linked to State functions, which could be interpreted as an undue advantage over other members of the highest court. However, the minister’s technical defense refuted these points, pointing out the absence of similar brands in force and full compliance with public order.
📌 Communiqué 55/2026
The Specialized Intellectual Property Chamber of the TFJA declared the nullity of the IMPI resolution that had denied me the registration of the “Minister of the People” brand.#People’sMinister pic.twitter.com/AzSk9RuFRI
— Lenia Batres (@LeniaBatres) April 17, 2026
Legal scope and consolidation of public identity
After the initial refusal, the promotion of a contentious administrative trial resulted in the total revocation of the previous administrative act. The TFJA determined that there was no regulatory impediment that justified blocking the registry, classifying the IMPI’s decision as an arbitrary act that must be corrected immediately.
This resolution not only benefits the plaintiff, but establishes a relevant criterion for other political figures seeking to protect publicly positioned names.
The name “Minister of the People” remains as a declaration of principles of the public service and a mission that seeks to be honored daily in the exercise of the position.
Lenia Batres confirmed, through an official statement, that the use of this badge will continue with the support of the court ruling, reaffirming its narrative identity within the country’s jurisdictional structure.
