How long does it take to register a trademark in Panama?

Registering a trademark in Panama takes approximately 8 months from the date of filing the application. A trademark in Panama is granted for 5-10 years, depending on the type of trademark, and can be renewed up to 6 months after the expiration date

Which country is the easiest to get a trademark?

Some countries that may be easier to get a trademark are: Panama, Belgium, France, EU, Norway, UK, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

What is the copyright law in Panama?

The copyright law of Panama is primarily based on 1994 legislation, known as Law 151. The law modernizes copyright protection in Panama, provides for payment of royalties, facilitates the prosecution of copyright violators, protects computer software, and makes copyright infringement a felony.

How much does it cost to register a company in Panama?

It is important to note that this disclaimer does not cover any legal fees, additional costs, or expenses that may arise in specific situations. The cost of registering a company in Panama depends on the type of entity you choose. For example, the incorporation costs for a Panama LLC in year 1 amount to US$1,950, and the annual company costs in year 2 and thereafter amount to US$0. The registration fee for a branch of a foreign company is approximately US$1,000.

Which country is the fastest to register a trademark?

Germany is known for the fastest trademark registration process because you can complete your application and get approval within one to three months. If you apply for a fast-track registration process, you can get your registration certificate within a month. Other countries that have a first-to-use trademark system are the USA, Canada and Australia, but their registration processes may take longer or have some exceptions

Panama Trademark Registration: Protect Your Business Identity

What is a registered trademark and why does it matter?

A registered trademark is a legal right that gives its owner exclusive use of a name, logo, slogan, or distinctive sign linked to a business or product. In Panama, this right is governed by Law 35 of May 10, 1996, as amended by Law 61 of 2012, and is administered by the General Directorate of Industrial Property Registration (DIGERPI). Once registered, no third party can use an identical or confusingly similar Panama trademark in Panamanian territory without the owner’s authorization.

Beyond legal protection, a registered trademark becomes your company’s most valuable intangible asset. It allows you to license the brand, franchise products or services, grant usage rights to third parties, and transfer technical knowledge under a formal legal backing. Over time, a well-positioned trademark increases your company’s asset value and strengthens its standing before investors, banks, and business partners.

Who can register a trademark in Panama?

Both individuals and legal entities can hold a Panama trademark registration. However, for businesses that already have or are in the process of forming a Public Limited Company (S.A.), it is strongly recommended that the company be listed as the trademark owner. This simplifies day-to-day management, makes it easier to grant usage licenses to third parties, better protects assets in the event of legal disputes, and ensures the trademark formally becomes part of the corporate estate.

Many of our clients register their Panama trademark immediately after incorporating their company, designating the S.A. as the owner. This integrates intellectual property into the corporate structure from day one.

How long does the Panama trademark registration process take?

The Panama trademark registration process involves several stages before DIGERPI: filing the application, formal examination, publication in the Official Gazette for third-party oppositions, and issuance of the registration certificate. The total timeframe can span several months depending on the volume of filings at the authority and whether any third-party opposition is filed. Our team actively manages each stage, monitors the file, and keeps clients informed of progress throughout the entire process.

What types of trademarks can be registered?

In Panama it is possible to register different types of distinctive signs depending on the nature of the identity you want to protect:

Word mark: The name or written denomination only, with no specific graphic design attached.
Figurative mark or logo: A design, image, or graphic symbol that identifies the business visually.
Combined mark: A name and logo registered together as a single Panama trademark.
Collective mark: Used by associations or groups of companies to distinguish products from their members.
Commercial slogan: An advertising phrase that identifies and differentiates a brand or product in the market.

What are trademark classes and how are they chosen?

Trademarks are registered under an international classification system known as the Nice Classification, which divides products and services into 45 classes. Each class corresponds to a sector or type of economic activity. A Panama trademark registration protects its use exclusively within the class or classes it was registered under, so choosing the right classes based on your actual business activity is critical. Some of the most common classes among our clients are:

Class 35

Advertising and Business

Business management, commercial administration, and marketing services.

Class 36

Finance and Real Estate

Financial, banking, insurance, and real estate management services.

Class 41

Education and Training

Educational services, training, entertainment, and cultural activities.

Class 42

Technology and Digital Services

Software development, technology services, research, and web design.

Class 45

Legal Services

Legal services, security services, and intellectual property license management.

We advise each client on selecting the most appropriate classes based on their current activity and future expansion plans. Registering in the right classes from the start avoids the need to file additional registrations later.

Official Panama trademark registration process before DIGERPI — step by step

The Panama trademark registration process follows 7 formal stages established by DIGERPI. Our team manages each one on behalf of the client:

Availability search

Before filing, we verify that the trademark is not already registered or pending. This search is conducted through the official DIGERPI portal.

Check availability at DIGERPI →

Identification of classes to register

We advise the client on selecting the Nice Classification classes that match their current and future business activity.

Completion of the official application form before DIGERPI

The official trademark application form is completed with all owner details, trademark description, selected classes, and supporting documentation. This is the form officially required by the Panamanian government to initiate the process before DIGERPI.

Payment of administrative fees

Proof of payment of the corresponding fees is attached. Payment can be made in person at the National Bank (line 580) or through online banking.

Formal and substantive examination by DIGERPI

DIGERPI reviews the application to verify it meets all formal requirements and that the trademark does not infringe on existing registered rights.

Publication period and oppositions

If the application is approved, the Panama trademark is published in the Official Industrial Property Bulletin for two months so that third parties may file oppositions. If an opposition is filed, we handle the defense before the commercial courts.

Issuance of the registration certificate

If there are no oppositions, or they are resolved in the applicant’s favor, DIGERPI issues the Registration Certificate confirming exclusive rights over the trademark in Panama.

What are the official registration costs?

The official fees before DIGERPI are set by the Panamanian government and are fixed. Our firm’s fees are added to these costs and are detailed in the initial quote. You can find the current official costs by type of registration on the official government website.

Can I register more than one trademark?

Yes. It is possible to register multiple trademarks under the same company or owner. Many clients choose to simultaneously register a primary trademark, a secondary mark for specific product lines, and the company’s commercial slogan. Each registration is independent and carries its own certificate, term of validity, and legal protection. The cost varies based on the number of trademarks and classes requested, so we prepare a detailed quote based on the exact scope of protection the client needs.

What documents are needed to register a Panama trademark?

The requirements to start the registration process are straightforward. Documentation varies slightly depending on whether the owner is an individual or a company:

Required information

Exact name of the trademark to be registered
Type of trademark: word mark, logo, or combined
Description of the business activity
Nice Classification classes
High-resolution logo file (if applicable)

Owner documentation

Copy of passport or national ID (individual)
Full details of the owner or representative
Corporate documents (if the owner is an S.A.)
Certificate of registration and good standing of the company

Can I protect my trademark outside of Panama?

Yes. Through the Madrid Protocol, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), it is possible to extend the protection of a Panama trademark to more than 130 countries through a single international application. This mechanism greatly simplifies the global protection process, as it eliminates the need to file individual applications in each country. It is especially recommended for businesses operating in North American, European, or Asian markets, or that plan to expand internationally in the short to medium term. Costs vary based on the destination countries selected and are detailed in the corresponding quote.

How long does a Panama trademark registration last and what happens when it expires?

A Panama trademark registration is valid for ten years from the date of inscription, renewable indefinitely for equal periods. The renewal must be requested before the expiration date to keep the rights active. If the trademark expires without being renewed, the rights are extinguished and any third party could register it. We proactively manage our clients’ renewals, notifying them well in advance to prevent the loss of rights due to an overlooked expiration date.

Is trademark registration linked to forming my company?

Having a company already incorporated is not a requirement to register a trademark, but doing both in a coordinated way is highly recommended. When the Public Limited Company is listed as the trademark owner from the start, intellectual property becomes integrated into the corporate structure, which simplifies contracts, licensing, and legal management in general. For this reason, we offer this service as part of a comprehensive package alongside company formation, ensuring your brand identity is protected from the very first day of operations.

Ready to protect your Panama trademark? Contact us today and receive a free legal consultation.