Querétaro’s Current Standing and Potential
Querétaro ranks 11th among Mexico’s 32 federal entities in patent registration, but the Director General of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), Santiago Nieto Castillo, believes the state has the potential to climb into the top positions.
A Thriving Research and Development Ecosystem
Querétaro hosts research centers such as the National Metrology Center (CENAM) and various academic institutions, including the Autonomous University of Querétaro, the Technological Institute of Monterrey, and CENAM.
“The instruction from the President is to accelerate, especially Querétaro, which has such an important research ecosystem. With the Autonomous University of Querétaro, CENAM, and the Technological Institute of Monterrey, we can improve its current position as the 11th-ranked entity,” Nieto Castillo explained.
With its robust research and development technological ecosystem, Querétaro could potentially rank among the top five states nationally.
Current Patent Registration Numbers
To illustrate the current patent registration numbers in Querétaro, Nieto Castillo mentioned that the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) leads with an average of 192 registrations annually. The National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) follows with 150, while Ciateq, operating in Querétaro, registers around 30 patents annually.
Querétaro’s Position in the State Competitiveness Index
According to the 2025 State Competitiveness Index by the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), Querétaro ranks 9th with two patents per 100,000 people in the Economically Active Population. Jalisco leads with six patents, while Nayarit ranks last with zero.
IMPI’s Patent Registration Targets for 2025
By the end of 2025, IMPI has accumulated 564 Mexican patent registrations, with an additional 150 pending payments. The institute aims to surpass the historical record of 700 Mexican patents set in 2024.
Combating Piracy in Querétaro
The IMPI also plans to replicate an anti-piracy operation in Querétaro, though no specific date has been set yet. Coordination with local authorities is already underway.
Key Strategies in Querétaro
Nieto Castillo outlined that among the strategies implemented in Querétaro are procedures to register geographical indications, such as the Lele doll representing indigenous communities in the state and marble produced in Vizarrón, Cadereyta de Montes, as well as the Escolásticas quarry in Pedro Escobedo.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Querétaro’s current ranking in patent registration among Mexico’s federal entities? Querétaro ranks 11th.
- What gives Querétaro potential to improve its patent registration standing? Its thriving research and development technological ecosystem, with institutions like CENAM, the Autonomous University of Querétaro, and the Technological Institute of Monterrey.
- What are some examples of annual patent registration numbers in Querétaro? UNAM averages 192 registrations, IPN has 150, and Ciateq registers around 30 annually.
- How does Querétaro rank in the 2025 State Competitiveness Index? Querétaro ranks 9th, with two patents per 100,000 people in the Economically Active Population.
- What is IMPI’s target for Mexican patent registrations in 2025? IMPI aims to surpass the historical record of 700 Mexican patents set in 2024.
- What anti-piracy measures is IMPI planning in Querétaro? IMPI plans to replicate an anti-piracy operation in Querétaro, with coordination already underway with local authorities.
