Laws of Amendments to the Nicaraguan Trademark and Patent Laws

By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados

Dear Clients and Associates:

We advise you that the Nicaraguan Trademark Law (Law No. 380) has been amended by Law No. 1024, which has now entered into force since the date of its publication on April 03, 2020. The relevant changes are comprised by the reduction of the terms, creation of new official fees and an increase in most of the existing official fees.

Please note below a brief summary of the relevant aspects included in such amendments:

1. Official fees for all trademark matters must be paid upfront along with the respective filing application. Prior to said amendments, the law allowed in some cases, such as new filings and renewals, to pay the official fees within the following two months from the filing date.

2. The opposition term is reduced from the previous term of two (2) months to thirty (30) business days counted from the publication date. Furthermore, there is a new applicable official fee of US$52 that must be submitted along with the opposition brief. Such term can be extended one time only for an additional fifteen (15) additional business days by filing an extension request and paying the respective extension official fee of US$20. The request of extension must be filed prior to the expiration of the opposition term.

3. The term for the opposed party to file a response is also reduced from the previous term of two (2) months to thirty (30) business days counted from the date of the official notification of the opposition. Additionally, if the opposed party does not file a response, the application will be declared as abandoned and the file will be closed.

4. The term to file evidence in opposition cases is reduced from thirty (30) business days to fifteen (15) business days, counted from the date of filing of the applicable matter (opposition or reply to opposition). Such term can be extended one time only for an additional fifteen (15) business days by filing an extension request and paying the respective extension official fee of US$20. The request of extension must be filed prior to the expiration of the term to file evidence.

5. The term to file a response to an objection raised by Trademark Office is reduced from the previous term of two (2) months to thirty (30) business days counted from the official notification of the objection. Furthermore, such term can be extended one time only for an additional fifteen (15) additional business days by filing an extension request and paying the respective extension official fee of US$20. The request of extension must be requested prior to the expiration of the term to file the response. Lastly, all evidence must be filed along with the reply to the objection.

6. For urgent cases filed locally without a Power of Attorney through the rendering of a bond, the term to file the required Power of Attorney is also reduced from the previous term of two (2) months to thirty (30) business days counted from the date of the filing. Furthermore, such term can be extended one time only for fifteen (15) additional business days by filing an extension request and paying the respective extension official fee of US$20. The request of extension must be filed prior to the expiration of the term.

7. Most of the official fees increased and new fees were created as well.

We also want to advise you that the Nicaraguan Law of Patent of Invention, Utility Models and Industrial Designs (Law No. 354) has been amended by Law No. 1025, which has now entered into force since the date of its publication on April 03, 2020. The relevant changes are comprised by the creation of new official fees and an increase in most of the existing official fees.

Please find here a comparative list of prior and current fees.

If you need additional information or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Very truly yours,


GUY JOSE BENDAÑA-GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS