Legal basis is the Intellectual Property Law, in force since November 10th, 1996, and the Executive Decree no. 7 of February 17th, 1998. Law No. 35 of May 10, 1996 has been amended in 2012 by Law 61 of October 5, 2012.Trademark protection is obtained by registration. It can also be acquired by sufficient public recognition.

Trademark registration classification:

Nice Classification

Requirements:

• Name or Corporation Name, Complete  Address.
• A trademark logo in jpg. format.
• The detailed goods and/or services for which the trademark will be registered or the classes in case they are known.
• Power of attorney simply signed.
• The priority document issued by the competent authority, if you wish to claim trademark priorities. 
• A domicile in Panama for administrative and judicial purposes is required. 

Procedure:

• A trademark application has to be filed before the Panama Industrial Property Direction (DIGERPI) by a local agent. 
• The application process includes a formal examination, an examination of distinctiveness and a search for prior trademarks.
• Before registration the trademark application is published in the “Boletin de la Propiedad Industrial”.
• The opposition period is 2 months from publication date of the application.
• It takes approximately 12-18 months from first filing to registration. 

Duration and Renewal: A trademark registration in Panama is valid for 10 years and starts with registration date. The registration is renewable for periods of 10 years.