To file a patent in Nicaragua, it must be processed before the Intellectual Property Registry of Nicaragua (RPI), as they are the authority responsible for managing intellectual property registration applications in Nicaragua.
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What is a patent in Nicaragua?
A patent in Nicaragua is an exclusive title and right granted by the RPI to all inventions. This patent gives the right to protect their application from anyone from copying, using, distributing or selling the invention without permission. The duration of an invention patent is 20 years.
How to file a patent in Nicaragua?
The official language for patent filing in Nicaragua is Spanish. For PCT cases, filing in a foreign language is possible. The Spanish translation can be submitted in a foreign language, the deadline to provide the Spanish translation is two months from the date of submission in Nicaragua.
Our in-house translators can assist you.
What are the required documents needed to file a patent in Nicaragua?
- Full name and address of the applicant and inventors, whether an individual or a corporation.
- A patent description: Specification, claims and abstract. Drawings, if applicable.
- Power of Attorney, duly signed by applicant.
- Spanish Translations: The deadline to provide the Spanish translation is two months from the date of submission in Nicaragua.
How is the Patent process in Nicaragua?
- Application submission: The procedure can be initiated by submitting the form and the complete documentation of the patent application.
- Formal Examination: From an administrative process it is verified that the information on the forms is complete and adequate.
If any required document is missing, the Registry will issue a formal notification to submit the pending documentation within the term of two months. - Publication: After the formal examination is approved, the application is published in the Nicaraguan Gazette.
- Substantive Examination: Within the first 6 months of the patent application publication in the Official Gazette. Once these fees are paid the patent examiners conduct a search in national and international databases to determine if the application meets the requirements of patentability. If the Patent office determines that the application does not meet the requirements of patentability, they will issue an official action and the applicant will have three months to present the arguments or the necessary amendments to comply with said requirements. By the second office action the applicant will have a period of two months to file the response, and if the patent office issues a denial resolution then the applicant will only have three days to file the appeal
- Grant: Once the application passes the substantive examination, the patent is granted in Nicaragua.
Patent term:
20 years from the date of filing of the application. Additionally, Renewal Payments are paid annually.
The average time from filing to granting a patent in Nicaragua is 3-6 years.
Grant, validity term and maintenance fees
Once the patent in Nicaragua is granted, it will be valid for a period of 20 years. To keep the patent in force, the application must pay annual fees. The first payable annuity is the third. The same should be paid the day before the 2nd Anniversary of the PCT filing date. The same concept applies to subsequent annuities.
Some Extra Facts
Representation by a patent attorney
Foreign patent applicants need to prosecute a patent application in Nicaragua through an attorney or agent registered in the country.
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This content may suffer modifications due to updates in the official regulations of Argentina.
