Patent Applications in Panama Increase 8.5% in First Half of 2025

By De Puy & Asociados

Panama has recorded a rise in patent filings during the first half of 2025, even as trademark registrations showed a slight decline, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI).

Between January and June 2025, the General Directorate of Industrial Property (DIGERPI) received 153 patent applications, an 8.5 percent increase compared to the 141 filings recorded in the same period of 2024. MICI noted that 95 percent of these applications originated from international applicants, reflecting Panama’s continued relevance as a strategic jurisdiction for global innovators seeking intellectual property protection in the region.

Trademark registrations, however, presented a different trend. A total of 4,020 applications were filed in the first six months of 2025, compared with 4,404 in the same period of the previous year, representing a decline of 8.7 percent. Authorities emphasized that, despite the drop, there remains steady demand from entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and organizations interested in safeguarding their intangible assets.

The data highlights both the increasing role of foreign patent activity in Panama and the ongoing participation of local businesses in trademark protection, two areas considered essential for fostering innovation and competitiveness in the national economy.