Intellectual property in Panama

Estudio Benedetti

The ‘outstanding' IP practice at boutique firm Estudio Benedetti is renowned for the depth and breadth of its offering, covering the full scope of trade mark, patent and copyright-related work. Acting for an enviable roster of multinationals from the entertainment, aviation, fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages sectors, the five-partner-strong team advises on a high volume of IP prosecutions in Panama (overseen by Ramón Benedetti V), as well as renewals, recordals and foreign filings (led by Ramón Benedetti Alemán), and has an equally robust practice on the contentious side, handling anti-counterfeiting litigation (headed by Audrey Williams) and opposition, cancellation and nullity actions (led by Diana Leandro). The deep bench also includes Julissa Farah, who was promoted to partner in January 2024 and specialises in renewals and recordals, associate Fernando Reyes, an expert in complex infringement cases, and patent agent Jeane Johnson.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ramón Benedetti V.; Audrey Williams; Diana Leandro; Ramón Benedetti Alemán


Les références

‘An outstanding practice. They always provide the best recommendations and strategies for the client. They have a very innovative perspective.’

‘Julissa Farah stands out as a true professional, who provides great advice in every case.’

‘The level of knowledge and handling of cases is impeccable.’

Principaux clients

Sony Interactive Entertainment


American Airlines


Guccio Gucci


Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá


CPA Global Company


Sanrio Corporation


Avon Products


Hanesbrands


Beiersdorf


Telefonica


Editorial Televisa


The Scotch Whisky Association


S. Tous


Asociación de Cafeses Especiales de Panamá (Speciality Coffee Association of Panama)


F. Hoffmann-La Roche


Univision


Rexair


Netflix


Arabela


Riot Games


Fitbit


Lo.Li.Pharma


Yuga Labs


IFF


Tri-Union Seafoods


The Hain Celestial Group


Body Glove


Allison Transmission


TGI Fridays


Nintendo of America


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Vida Produce Company on the prosecution of its new and updated brands and image in Latin America, the US, the UK and Europe, and on the management of its IP portfolio worldwide.
  • Advising a leading US company in the field of agricultural technology on the maintenance and prosecution of its trade mark rights in Central and South America.
  • Advising the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama on the development of protection for a collective mark used by members of the organisation.

Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez

Hailed for its ‘great technical ability, excellent business sense and impeccable service', Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramírez's comprehensive IP practice handles the gamut of trade mark, patent and copyright matters, from prosecution through to litigation. The team has a particular strong suit in contentious IP matters, acting in a steady stream of trade mark opposition, cancellation and nullity actions, in addition to copyright-related disputes. Assisting with advertising and labelling compliance for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agrochemical, medical and food products also forms a key pillar of the practice. Monique Ferrer, who is praised for her ‘great availability and responsiveness', leads the practice, handling IP prosecution and enforcement as well as regulatory and compliance matters. The talented associate team includes Marycarmen González and Nicole López.

Responsables de la pratique:

Monique Ferrer


Les références

‘The team has great technical ability, excellent business sense and impeccable service. It is a great choice to manage anything from simple, day-to-day matters to those that are more complex and require greater analysis.’

‘Monique Ferrer is always on top of every matter, with great availability and responsiveness. In addition, Marycarmen González has extensive technical knowledge.’

Principaux clients

PepsiCo


Televisa


Mercantil Banco Universal


Romar Freezone Trading


Philips


Adidas


Multibank


Varela Hermanos


Rigo Trading


The Bank of Nova Scotia


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Varela Hermanos, whose SECO DE PANAMA alcoholic beverage is recognised as an indication of origin, in litigation to oppose the registration of the trademark SECO SUPREMO since the origin of the product was not clear.
  • Successfully defended the OSITOS DE ORO trademark acquired by Rigo Trading against cancellation and nullity actions filed by Productos Alimenticios Pascual based on the similarity to the term OSITO for products in class 30.
  • Acted for Svaltex (an affiliate of Niels Pedersen) in an opposition action against Prestadores de Servicios de Colima’s registration of the trademark GRUPOMAR, which has a similar design to the client’s GOURMAR trademark.

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán fields a diverse IP practice which offers ‘prompt, thoughtful, and practical' advice to prominent multinationals from the fashion, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and consumer goods sectors, among others. The team advises on the full life cycle of trade marks, patents and copyrights, with a thriving IP litigation practice that spans opposition, nullity and cancellation proceedings, and anti-counterfeiting investigations and criminal complaints. In addition, the firm boasts growing expertise in the data privacy space – where Mariela de la Guardia is the key contact – strengthened by its membership of the global PrivacyRules alliance. ‘Great adviser' Gabriela Tejada de Britton leads the team, while Moisés Rivera and associate Fernando González-Ruiz are also recommended for their expertise in IP litigation, brand protection and anti-counterfeiting.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gabriela Tejada de Britton


Les références

‘The service is impeccable, prompt and timely.’

‘Fernando González-Ruiz is notable for his knowledge of the subject matter and the way he handles our cases is excellent.’

‘Prompt, thoughtful and practical counselling on trade mark issues.’

Principaux clients

Global Bank Corporation


Unilever IP Holdings


Conair Corporation


Bristol Myers Squibb


General Electric Company


Harman International Industries


L’Oreal


New Balance Athletics


General Motors


Exxon Mobil Corporation


Principaux dossiers


  • Defending Ferrari against an official action brought by the Panamanian Patent Office objecting to the registration of an industrial design for car headlights and rear lights on the grounds of lack of clarity.
  • Acted for Global Bank Corporation, the owner of the GLOBAL and GLOBAL AND DESIGN trade marks, in a nullity and cancellation action against Global Imuebles Panamá in regards to its trade mark GLOBAL INMUEBLES AND DESIGN.
  • Acted for Jaguar Land Rover in the opposition proceeding against Loncin Motor’s application for the registration of the trade mark VOGE, due to its similarity to the client’s VOGUE and EVOQUE trade marks.

Cedeño & Méndez

IP is the signature strength of Cedeño & Méndez, which advises a host of multinational companies on the management of their IP portfolios in Panama and throughout Central America, drawing on the support of its network of offices in the region. Demonstrating particular expertise in the food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and fashion industries, the ‘fantastic' team is prolific in the prosecution of trade marks and patents, and is also active in opposition, cancellation and nullity actions. ‘Spectacular’ managing partner Roberto Gómez Cedeño, whose practice encompasses trade mark and patent registrations, IP litigation and the IP aspects of M&A and licensing agreements, leads the team. Clients also benefit from the firm’s customised trade mark software, which provides live updates on the registration process.

Responsables de la pratique:

Roberto Gómez Cedeño


Les références

‘Cedeño & Méndez has a very well-established team. They are always agile and timely in their responses.’

‘The speed and efficiency of their responses is their standout quality. The team is led extraordinarily well by Roberto Gómez, who is always involved in all our communication.’

‘It is a fantastic team that provides an excellent service.’

Fabrega Molino

The IP practice at Fabrega Molino garners strong praise for its ‘perfect combination of solid legal experience and exceptional interpersonal skills', with a broad offering that strikes a balance between advisory work and disputes. The firm assists large multinationals from the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, food and beverages, textiles and tech sectors with the prosecution of trade marks, patents, utility models and industrial designs, and has an excellent record in IP litigation. ‘Excellent' practice head Farah Molino has ‘extensive knowledge' across all areas of IP law, with notable expertise in the copyright field, including acting for the collective management organisations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Farah Molino


Les références

‘Fabrega Molino has a very strong practice in this practice area. They respond to our requests in a prompt and professional manner. Their internal processes are well organised.’

‘Farah Molino is an excellent lawyer, with an innate capacity for leadership. She has extensive knowledge of IP law, which allows her to explain any topic to clients with ease.’

‘They have provided me with the best service that I have received in Panama in the 27 years of my career. Farah Molino is a spectacular lawyer. She goes above and beyond to resolve my company’s problems.’

Morgan & Morgan

Morgan & Morgan‘s ‘reliable and efficient' IP team draws on its close connections with international firms to advise key players in the automotive, luxury goods, food and beverages and retail sectors on the management of their IP portfolios in Panama, handling the registration of a high volume of trade marks. The team also assists with the IP aspects of M&A transactions, often joining forces with the firm’s busy corporate department, overseen by Francisco Arias. Senior associate Allan Candanedo has ‘vast experience' in the field of IP law, including in litigation, while associate María Eugenia Brenes is well versed in IP issues in the health sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Francisco Arias


Les références

‘The firm has the capacity to handle diverse cases, clients and sectors. They are reliable, efficient and provide good support. Not only do they offer services of the highest standard, they adapt to the clients’ budget without sacrificing on quality.’

‘Allen Candanedo has vast experience and understands the needs of his clients, offering agile solutions that meet clients’ requirements. He goes the extra mile, is absolutely trustworthy and the quality of his work stands out from that of his peers.’

‘The team stands out for the speed and efficiency with which it tackles different topics.’

Principaux clients

Sanaté Filtros


Yoi Korean Kitchen


LVMH Group (Celine, Givenchy, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Kenzo, Emilio Pucci)


Inversiones Cerveceras Centroamericanas


Genomma Laboratories


Volkswagen


Laboratorios Lancasco


Televisora Nacional


Shimano Argentina


Rainbow Agrosciences


PB5STAR


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Decathlon regarding the protection and prosecution of 15 of its most important marks for the opening of its flagship store in Panama City.
  • Advised Louis Vuitton Malletier on the prosecution of more than 10 trade marks for new products in the country.
  • Advised the Yoi restaurant franchise on the protection of an array of new marks related to its everyday operations.