Panama: Law No.61, Provisions on Industrial Property.


News from Panama / Thursday, November 29th, 2012

I often find articles from Mossack Fonseca, one of Panama’s leading law firms of great  interest.  This one demonstrates deeper thinking on the part of Panama about trading in the global economy.

From the law firm of Mossack Fonseca & Co. reports@mossfon.com

Panama: Law No.61, Provisions on Industrial Property.

Mrs. Raquel Araúz
IP Specialist / Attorney | rarauz@mossfon.com

Born in Panama, Republic of Panama, 13th February 1977. Education: Latina University , School of Law (LL.B., 2005). Staff member since 2006. Member: International Trademark Association. Languages: Spanish and English.

Recently in Panama, Law No. 61, which modifies Law 35, whereby provisions on Industrial Property are adopted, entered into force.  The main purpose of this law is to adapt and implement international treaties and agreements relating to industrial property, ratified by Panama, and in force as of September 7th, 2012.

Panama’s participation in the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, as well as the Patents Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, and lastly, the Treaty on the Law of Trademarks (TLT), aims to increase foreign investment through the protection of national production and the provision of opportunities to export such products.

Some of the main modifications introduced to the existing law, whose object is to protect inventions, utility models, industrial models and drawings, industrial and commercial secrets, services and products trademarks, collective and guarantees trademarks, geographical indications, indications of source, and designations of origin, business names, advertising slogans and signs, are as follows:

  1. The creation of the Registry of Powers of Attorney.  This registry will allow for the registration of Powers of Attorney at the General Directorate of Industrial Property, so that it will be enough to mention the Power of Attorney registration information in order to carry out any proceedings in said Directorate.

With regard to Patents and Utility Models, an extension of the protection period for non-pharmaceutical patents is introduced, and this extension is granted when an unreasonable delay in the granting of…

Read the complete article here.