Central America Agrees on Regional IP Priorities to Drive Innovation
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
Representatives from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama have agreed on new regional priorities for intellectual property (IP) cooperation, aiming to promote innovation, attract investment and strengthen economic growth.
The commitments were established during the ninth Central American and Dominican Republic Ministerial Meeting on Intellectual Property, held on October 27, 2026, in San Salvador, with the participation of the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang.
Under the theme "Intellectual Property as a Catalyst for Investment, Trade and Exports," the meeting concluded with a declaration establishing three priority areas for cooperation in the coming years.
Financing SMEs Through Intangible Assets
One of the main objectives is to develop a third phase of IP-based financing initiatives aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The proposal includes pilot projects to help financial institutions assess intellectual property and other intangible assets when evaluating companies' loan applications. The aim is to facilitate access to capital for innovative businesses and promote greater recognition of the economic value of their trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights.
This initiative seeks to expand financing opportunities for SMEs, which often face difficulties accessing credit through traditional mechanisms.
Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems
The second priority focuses on strengthening national innovation ecosystems through greater institutional coordination and improved capabilities for collecting and analyzing data related to WIPO's Global Innovation Index.
The objective is to enhance countries' ability to measure their performance, identify development opportunities and design public policies that support innovation and technological growth.
Supporting Young Creators and Digital Entrepreneurs
The third area of cooperation will focus on young creators and entrepreneurs, particularly in the fields of digital creativity and the management and protection of digital assets.
The initiative recognizes the growing importance of intellectual property in the digital economy and the need to provide emerging businesses and creators with the tools to protect, manage and commercialize their intangible assets.
Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.
The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.
Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.
We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.
Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.
