WIPO-administered Treaties:
Contracting Party of The Hague System: NO.
Applicable Law:
Industrial Property Law 35, amended by Law 61.
Grace period for filing applications, from disclosure:
3 years, provided that disclosure is made in Panama. (Local novelty)
Multiple design applications -one application for different embodiments-available:
YES, although the Law in Panama does not foresee multiple applications, in practice, multiple applications are filed. However, the examiner may request division of the application.
Formal filing requirements:
Power of Attorney, notarized and legalized by Apostille or before Panamanian Consul. 60 days from filing.
Assignment document, executed and signed by all the parties (applicant and inventors), attested by a Notary Public, and duly legalized by means of the Apostille or before the Panamanian Consulate. 60 days from filing.
Full details of applicant/ designer
Description of the design and drawings.
Claims (brief description of the design) . 3 sets of drawings.
Certified copy of the priority document, when applicable. 90 days from filing.
Locarno classification:
YES.
Deferred publication:
NO.
Registration Proceeding Outline:
FIling. Formal and substantive examination. Publication. Oppositions. Decision.
Opposition:
YES. Any interested party can file opposition within 2 months from the publication date. Cancellation actions can also be filed, within 5 years from granting, except in case of bad faith.
Average time from filing to grant:
8-18 months.
Term of Protection and Maintenance:
10 years, renewable once for a further 5-year period.
