---
titulo: "Types of Trademarks You Can Register in Panama"
titulo_seo: "Trademark Types in Panama: Word, Sound, 3D and More"
meta: "Word, figurative, 3D, color, sound, collective or certification: what Law 35 of 1996 lets you register in Panama, and why use alone does not protect you."
autor: "Diego Ospina Serna"
fecha: 2026-07-04
actualizado: 2026-07-04
materia: "Intellectual Property"
idioma: "en"
par: "tipos-de-marca-que-se-pueden-registrar-en-panama"
resumen: "Which signs can be registered as trademarks in Panama under Law 35 of 1996 (amended by Law 61 of 2012): word, figurative, composite, three-dimensional, color, sound, collective, certification and well-known marks, plus trade names, advertising slogans and geographical indications."
tags: ["Trademarks", "Intellectual Property", "DIGERPI"]
orden: 20260704
---

In Panama, a trademark is — under article 89 of Law 35 of 1996 — "any sign, word, combination of these elements or any other means that, by its features, is capable of individualizing a product or service in commerce." The definition is **open**: the list of what can be registered (article 90, expanded by Law 61 of 2012) is illustrative, not exhaustive. These are the types you can protect.

## Marks by their form

- **Word mark (denominative).** One or more words, letters or numbers, with no particular design (the name itself). The most versatile: it protects the written name however it is styled.
- **Figurative.** An image, figure, symbol or graphic without words (a purely visual logo).
- **Composite (mixed).** A combination of word and design (the most common: name + logo).
- **Three-dimensional.** 3D shapes: the shape of the product, its container or wrapping; the law also includes **holograms**.
- **Color.** Colors in their various combinations, where they distinguish the product.
- **Sound.** Sounds that identify a brand (a melody or jingle). Law 61 of 2012 expressly added them.
- **Smell and taste marks.** Contemplated by law but with deferred entry into force; whether they can be registered in practice depends on current regulations. Check case by case.

## Marks by ownership or scope

- **Collective mark.** Belongs to an association or group (e.g., a producers' cooperative) and requires rules of use; it cannot be transferred to third parties outside the group.
- **Certification or guarantee mark.** Certifies common characteristics — quality, origin, method — of goods or services from different people (e.g., a quality seal).
- **Well-known and famous (renowned) marks.** Article 95 distinguishes the *well-known* mark (known by the sector of consumers it targets) from the *famous or renowned* mark (known by the general public). Its owner can oppose unauthorized use or registration even without a Panamanian registration.

## Other distinctive signs also protected

- **Trade name.** Identifies the company or establishment (article 145 et seq.), distinct from the trademark that identifies the product.
- **Advertising slogan.** An original legend, phrase or combination of words accompanying the mark; registered for ten years (articles 156 to 160).
- **Geographical indications and appellations of origin.** Protect the link between a product and its place of origin; DIGERPI keeps a special register (articles 131 to 133).

## A key principle: use vs. registration

Article 96 draws the essential line: in Panama, **the right to register** a mark is acquired by use, but **the exclusive right to use it** is acquired only through registration. Using your mark without registering it leaves you exposed to someone else filing first.

## Which type is right for you?

The choice is not merely aesthetic: it defines the scope of your protection. A composite mark protects name and logo together, but also registering the word mark protects the name even if you change the design. At iurispa we help you choose the modality — or combination — that best shields your business, and register it with DIGERPI.

> Before filing, [check your trademark availability](/en/marcas/buscar/) and [estimate the cost](/en/marcas/cotizadora/).

*Legal basis: Law 35 of May 10, 1996, amended by Law 61 of October 5, 2012. Informational content, not legal advice; each case is assessed individually.*

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**Relacionado:** [[trademark-registration-in-panama|The legal foundation of trademark registration in Panama]]