Intellectual property in Panama

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property is the branch of law that recognises and protects the creations of the human mind, granting their owners exclusive commercial and moral rights over their works, inventions and commercial signs. Under Panama's legal framework — governed mainly by Law 35 of 1996 (amended by Law 61 of 2012) for industrial property and Law 64 of 2012 for copyright — these assets fall into two broad categories:

• Industrial property - Covers distinctive signs (trademarks, trade names, slogans and advertising expressions) and technical creations (invention patents, utility models, industrial designs and trade secrets).
• Copyright and related rights - Protects literary, artistic and scientific works, software, databases and audiovisual productions from the moment they are created.

What services protect intellectual property?

The services that safeguard intangible assets cover the administrative, technical and legal procedures needed to secure ownership and exclusive commercial use. The main components are:

• Prior-art and registry searches - Availability analysis in the DIGERPI databases to verify that no identical or confusingly similar marks or slogans are already registered.
• Registration of distinctive signs - Preparing and filing applications for trademarks, service marks, trade names, commercial slogans and collective or certification marks.
• Patent and industrial design registration - Drafting descriptions, claims and technical drawings to obtain invention patents, utility models and industrial designs under local and international rules (Paris Convention).
• Copyright and software deposit - Formal registration with the DNDA to protect source code, technology platforms, manuals and artistic or corporate creations.
• Licence and franchise agreements - Drafting and recording usage agreements, technology transfers, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and commercial exploitation licences.
• Ongoing trademark watch - Regular monitoring of the Official Industrial Property Bulletin to detect third-party applications that could infringe the owner's rights, and to file oppositions in time.

Intellectual property services EYSH Financial offers

At EYSH Financial we have built a portfolio designed to turn knowledge and innovation into financial assets with legal backing. Our technical approach covers the full life cycle of your intangible rights in Panama.

• Intangible asset audit and valuation - We identify every unregistered intellectual property asset inside the company and determine its economic value for the financial statements or for capitalisation.
• Full registration management with DIGERPI and DNDA - Direct handling of applications, responses to official objections, correction of inconsistencies and obtaining the grant certificates.
• Administrative defence and oppositions - Legal representation in opposition proceedings against third-party applications, nullity actions, cancellation for non-use, and reconsideration or appeal.
• Structuring transactions and licensing - Designing franchise agreements, technology transfer agreements and assignments of rights aligned with Panamanian tax regulation.
• Protecting trade secrets and know-how - Implementing internal security protocols, non-compete clauses and confidentiality agreements to protect key business processes.

What problems do intellectual property services solve?

Having an intellectual property strategy prevents operational exposure and severe losses of value. Formal registration addresses the vulnerabilities companies face in today's market directly.

• Unauthorised use and counterfeiting - Stops competitors using identical names, logos or inventions to trade on your company's reputation.
• Losing the right through not registering - Prevents a third party registering your mark in Panama first, which could block your commercial operation or force you to pay to get the name back.
• Inability to access financing - Provides the legal certainty banks and investors need before trademarks or patents can be used as collateral or as an investment asset.
• Risk of unintentional infringement - Prevents claims for infringing third-party rights by verifying in advance that the signs or technologies can lawfully be used.

The main client challenges the service resolves:

• Copying on digital platforms and social media - Provides the ownership titles needed to issue takedown notices on web platforms.
• A brand that earns nothing - Makes passive income possible through royalties under formalised licences.
• Leaks of critical information - Protects the value of formulas, client lists and operating procedures through legally enforceable confidentiality frameworks.

Advantages and disadvantages of intellectual property protection in Panama

Who are EYSH's intellectual property services for?

Our offering is aimed at organisations and creators who need to turn their innovations and distinctive signs into legally protected assets. We adapt the registration strategy to the client's operating scale and sector.

• Technology and FinTech companies - Developers of software, mobile apps and financial platforms that need to register code, algorithms and digital brands.
• Consumer goods and retail businesses - Importers, distributors and manufacturers selling products under specific brands, packaging and industrial designs.
• Entrepreneurs and growing startups - Businesses in the growth phase that want to secure their commercial identity before opening investment rounds.
• Franchises and restaurant chains - Brands that need complete protection of their logos, slogans, operating manuals and trade secrets.
• Creators, authors and production companies - Artists, publishers and content creators seeking formal protection of their work under copyright.

Why choose EYSH Financial to protect your intellectual property?

At EYSH Financial we do not treat intellectual property as an isolated filing, but as a central tool for growing the value of your business.

• An integrated legal and financial view - We bring trademark and patent registration together with financial valuation and the tax impact of royalties.
• Deep knowledge of local legislation - We have practical experience applying Panama's Industrial Property Law (Law 35 of 1996) and the applicable international rules.
• Service to national and international clients - We advise local companies consolidating their position and multinationals protecting their portfolios on the isthmus.
• Preventing disputes before they start - We assess the viability of each application to minimise the risk of opposition or refusal by the registry authorities.
• Continuous support - We actively follow the registration throughout its term, coordinating renewals and expiry alerts.