The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has rejected the trademark application for "Minister of the People" submitted by Lenia Batres Guadarrama, Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN). This application, filed in November 2024, was denied because IMPI believes that the use of this trademark could mislead the public and cause confusion about the nature of the applicant's position.
In its resolution, IMPI explained that the term "Minister of the People" could lead to the erroneous perception that the position in question was obtained through popular election, which is not the case for the appointment of SCJN ministers. According to the agency, the registration attempt infringes various regulations in both industrial property and constitutional matters, as it suggests an origin of popular election that does not correspond to reality.
The use of public resources to carry out this process has also generated controversy, as it is pointed out that the payment for the registration was made with public funds. This fact has been the subject of criticism for possible electoral motives, given that an unusual judicial election is approaching in which Lenia Batres will participate to seek to remain in her position through popular vote.
IMPI based its denial on several articles of the Federal Law on Industrial Property Protection, as well as constitutional provisions and the Organic Law of the Judiciary of the Federation. It highlighted constitutional article 96 which establishes that SCJN ministers must be elected directly by the citizenry, a process that is still not applied to all judicial positions, making the registration of the trademark "Minister of the People" legally unfeasible.
Although Lenia Batres has not issued any official comments regarding IMPI's resolution, the issue continues to generate reactions in the political and legal spheres due to the symbolism and legal implications of the attempted trademark registration in question.
