Panama Intellectual Property Attorneys
Trusted legal services for trademarks, patents, and IP protection in Panama.
Legal Support for Your IP Needs
Our attorneys specialize in trademark and patent law, helping clients navigate the Panama Trademark Office processes. We provide tailored solutions for businesses and individuals seeking to secure and enforce their intellectual property rights.
Our Intellectual Property Services
We offer comprehensive legal support for:
- Trademark registration and renewal in Panama
- Patent applications and searches
- Copyright protection and enforcement
- Opposition and defense in IP disputes
- Advisory on licensing and IP commercialization
Supporting Local and International Clients
Whether you’re a startup, multinational, or independent creator, our bilingual team offers seamless IP legal services tailored to both domestic and international clients.
Panama IP Attorneys You Can Trust
Expert legal services for trademarks, patents, and intellectual property management.
Trademark and Patent Registration in Panama
We guide clients through the entire registration process at the Panama Intellectual Property Office, ensuring all filings meet local and international standards.
Enforcement and IP Dispute Resolution
Our team defends your intellectual property rights against infringement, offering representation in administrative and judicial proceedings before the Panama Trademark Office and other authorities.
FAQ
How long does patent registration take in Panama?
Patent registration in Panama through DIGERPI (General Directorate of Industrial Property Registry) typically takes 20 to 36 months from the filing date. The timeline includes: formal examination of the application, publication in the Official Industrial Property Gazette, a 45 business-day opposition period, and the substantive examination to verify the requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Timelines can vary depending on the technical complexity of the invention and DIGERPI’s workload. Filing a provisional or PCT application can help secure your priority date while the full examination proceeds.
How long does patent protection last?
Patent protection in Panama lasts for 20 years from the filing date of the application. This term is non-renewable and non-extendable. To maintain the patent in force throughout the 20-year period, the patent holder must pay annual maintenance fees to DIGERPI. If annual fees are not paid, the patent may lapse. Once the protection period expires, the invention enters the public domain and can be freely used by anyone. For inventions with long development cycles (such as pharmaceuticals), it’s important to note that the 20-year term begins from the application filing date, not from the date the patent is granted.
Can I file an international patent from Panama?
Yes. Panama is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which allows you to file an international patent application from Panama that has effect in over 150 member countries. The PCT application is filed through DIGERPI as the receiving office, and it allows you to reserve your rights in multiple jurisdictions while deciding where you want to obtain definitive protection (the national phase must be entered within 30-31 months). You can also file directly in specific countries, claiming priority under the Paris Convention within 12 months of your first application. At Paralelaw, we work with international IP networks to help clients secure patent protection across multiple jurisdictions.
What is DIGERPI and what role does it play?
DIGERPI (Dirección General del Registro de la Propiedad Industrial) is Panama’s official industrial property registry and the government agency responsible for the registration and protection of all forms of industrial property. DIGERPI handles: patent registrations (inventions, utility models), trademark registrations, industrial design registrations, geographical indications, and trade name protections. It conducts examinations of applications, publishes notices for opposition periods, maintains the national IP database, and enforces intellectual property rights within its administrative jurisdiction. DIGERPI operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) and is Panama’s interface with international IP organizations like WIPO.
What is the difference between a trademark, patent, and industrial design?
A trademark protects distinctive signs (names, logos, slogans) that identify products or services in the marketplace; it is registered with DIGERPI and lasts 10 years, renewable indefinitely. A patent protects technical inventions (products, processes, devices) that meet the requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability; it lasts 20 years and is non-renewable. An industrial design protects the aesthetic or ornamental appearance of a product (shape, pattern, color) unrelated to its technical function; it lasts 10 years. Each type of protection serves a different purpose, and a single product may require all three registrations for comprehensive IP protection.
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