Filing
The filing date of a Panamanian trademark is the one assigned when filing the application.
If priority is claimed, the filing date will remain the same, but the priority date will be the one claimed.
Formal Examination
Within 30 to 90 days from the filing date
The Trademark Office will determine if the application meets the formal requirements and analyze the application on both absolute and relative grounds of refusal. This includes a search to determine potential legal obstacles.
If no obstacles are found, the Trademark Office will proceed to order the publication of the trademark.
Publication
Within 30 to 45 days from the formal examination
When the Trademark Office deems the application meets the legal requirements, the application will be published in the Official Gazette for opposition purposes.
Opposition Period
2 months as from the publication date
The opposition period starts as soon as the trademark is published and ends 2 months after the publication.
Substantive Examination
Registration fees
Granting
Within 12 months from the filing date
If no oppositions were filed, the Trademark Office will proceed to grant the trademark.
The mark will be protected for a period of 10 years, counting from the application date.
Certificate of Registration
3 months counted from the day of the granting decision
After the Trademark Office issues their granting decision it will issue a paper registration certificate within the next 60 working days.
The filing date of a Panamanian trademark is the one assigned when filing the application.
If priority is claimed, the filing date will remain the same, but the priority date will be the one claimed.
Within 30 to 90 days from the filing date
The Trademark Office will determine if the application meets the formal requirements and analyze the application on both absolute and relative grounds of refusal. This includes a search to determine potential legal obstacles.
If no obstacles are found, the Trademark Office will proceed to order the publication of the trademark.
Within 30 to 45 days from the formal examination
When the Trademark Office deems the application meets the legal requirements, the application will be published in the Official Gazette for opposition purposes.
2 months as from the publication date
The opposition period starts as soon as the trademark is published and ends 2 months after the publication.
Within 12 months from the filing date
If no oppositions were filed, the Trademark Office will proceed to grant the trademark.
The mark will be protected for a period of 10 years, counting from the application date.
3 months counted from the day of the granting decision
After the Trademark Office issues their granting decision it will issue a paper registration certificate within the next 60 working days.
Useful Information
According to the applicable law, a trademark has a period of 5 years after its registration in which it cannot be cancelled. After that, any third party can apply for a cancelation action due to non-use.
It is relevant to also note that the use of the mark is not evaluated ex officio by the PATMO, nor the owner has to file periodically any prove of use. The evaluation of the use of a trademark is only done in the eventuality that a cancelation action is filed.