Mexico’s copyright law reform of 2026, published in the Official Gazette (DOF) on 14 May and in force since 15 May, rewrites the rules on advertising contracts, protects performers’ image and voice against AI cloning and states that computer programs, including AI programs, are protected as literary works. Foreign companies that work with Mexican talent or license content in Mexico should review their contracts now.
Update (October 2026): as of 1 October 2026, the consolidated text of the Regulation of the Federal Copyright Law published by the Chamber of Deputies still showed its last amendment as dated 14 September 2005, so we have not been able to confirm the adaptation required by the decree. Chamber of Deputies, Regulation of the Federal Copyright Law.
Key takeaways
- Advertisements using works and performances can run for up to six months; each further six-month period must be paid at least the original fee, and after one year a new authorisation is required.
- Performers’ image and voice can only be used with express consent, and that protection now covers output generated by AI.
- AI cloning or impersonation of a performance requires a prior written agreement.
- Article 102 now names AI programs among the computer programs protected as literary works.
- The decree gave the Executive 60 days to amend the Regulation, without saying whether calendar or business days.
What does Mexico’s 2026 copyright law reform change?
The decree published in the DOF on 14 May 2026 amends the Federal Labour Law and the Federal Copyright Law (LFDA) on the rights of performers. It entered into force the day after publication. The main changes for companies:
| Provision | What changes | What to review |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 73-74 LFDA | Advertising contracts: six-month maximum run, paid renewals, new authorisation after one year with an updated fee; exclusivity or non-compete clauses cannot outlast the contract | Campaign buyouts and renewals |
| Art. 75 LFDA | Contracts must specify media, print runs, channels and platforms, geolocation, duration and territories; any change needs a free, informed, paid and transparent agreement | Media plans and territorial scope |
| Art. 87 LFDA | Express consent for performers’ image, including voice; covers AI-generated results; specific pay implies consent only for the agreed purposes | Talent releases and AI use |
| Art. 118 (VII) and 121 LFDA | Right to oppose AI impersonation and clones; cloning requires a prior written agreement | Audiovisual and dubbing contracts |
| Art. 102 LFDA | Computer programs, “including AI programs”, protected as literary works | Software licences |
| Art. 305 Bis Federal Labour Law | Employment contracts with performers must set conditions and pay for the use of their image or voice through AI | Employment terms in Mexico |
The new rules for advertising contracts
Under the new article 74, after the first six months each additional period, even if only partly used, must be paid at least the original amount, and once a year has passed rights holders must authorise any further use, with the fee updated for inflation and market value.
Article 75 requires the contract to identify where and how the work or performance will be used, including channels, platforms, geolocation and territories. In practice, the open-ended “all media, worldwide, in perpetuity” buyouts common in global campaigns are hard to reconcile with this text when Mexican works or performances are involved.
Performers, AI and the use of image and voice
Article 87 protects the image of performers, expressly including voice, and extends that protection to results generated by artificial intelligence or any other technology. When a performer has been paid for a specific use, consent is presumed only for the purposes and modes agreed; any other use requires new authorisation and payment. The article does not treat as infringement uses for parody, satire or creative imitation, or uses that are not a clone or impersonation misleading the public or aimed at replacing the artist in the market.
Breaching article 87 or the new right in article 118 (VII) is listed as an infringement in article 231, punishable under article 232 with fines of 5,000 to 40,000 days of minimum wage. In case of doubt, contract clauses are now read in the way most favourable to the performer (article 120).
When must the Regulation be updated?
The third transitional article orders the Regulation of the LFDA to be amended “within sixty days” of the decree’s entry into force. It does not say whether those are calendar or business days. Counted as calendar days from 15 May 2026, the period ended on 14 July 2026; counted as business days, excluding weekends only, it would end in early August. Either way, the law itself already applies, and companies should not wait for the Regulation to adapt their contracts.
What this means for your business
- Inventory active campaigns in Mexico that use works, music or performances, and check how long each has been running.
- Amend advertising templates to define media, platforms, territories and duration, and plan paid renewals.
- Add express AI clauses to talent agreements: what may be generated, for which uses and for how long.
- Review software licences and terms of service for products sold in Mexico in light of article 102.
- Consider mediation or arbitration before the National Copyright Institute (INDAUTOR), now regulated in article 217 Bis, and register transfers of rights, which only take effect against third parties once recorded (article 32 of the LFDA).
If you need these changes rolled out across several markets, our copyright and digital works team can review your Mexican contracts together with your European and Latin American templates.
Where foreign companies get this wrong
- Relying on a global buyout. A worldwide, perpetual licence drafted abroad may not hold for Mexican advertising uses beyond the new limits.
- Assuming payment covers AI. A fee for a recording does not authorise synthetic voice or image uses that were not agreed.
- Waiting for the Regulation. The law has applied since 15 May 2026.
For other AI questions, see our AI and digital assets practice.
Frequently asked questions
When did Mexico’s copyright reform enter into force?
The decree amending the Federal Copyright Law and the Federal Labour Law was published in the Official Gazette on 14 May 2026 and entered into force the following day, 15 May 2026. The Regulation of the Federal Copyright Law had to be amended within 60 days, but the law’s new rules apply already.
How long can an advertisement using protected works run in Mexico?
Up to six months from the first communication. Each additional six-month period must be paid at least the amount originally agreed, even if only part of it is used. After one year, the authors and related rights holders must authorise any further use and the fee is updated for inflation and market value.
Can a brand use an AI clone of a performer’s voice in Mexico?
Only with the performer’s express consent and, for cloning or impersonation, a prior written agreement. Article 87 extends image protection, including voice, to AI-generated results, and article 121 requires written agreement for clones. Uses for parody, satire or creative imitation are not treated as infringements.
Can IP Global Guard update our contracts for Mexico?
Yes. We review advertising, talent, software and licensing agreements against the reform, coordinate qualified local correspondents in Mexico and align the result with your contracts in Europe and the rest of Latin America, from a single point of contact.
How IP Global Guard can help you adapt to the reform
IP Global Guard, the IP services line of META Channel Corporation Limited, coordinates copyright, licensing and AI-related rights across more than 25 jurisdictions in Europe, Latin America and Africa, with one strategy and one billing relationship; see our coverage in Mexico and the corridor.
Share your active Mexican campaigns, talent agreements and software licences with us. We will flag the clauses affected by the reform and coordinate the amendments with local counsel. Contact our team to review your contracts.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reflects the position on its publication date.
