Legal Framework

In Trinidad and Tobago trademark rights are currently regulated by the provisions of the Trade Marks Act Chapter 82:81. A trademark under the act may include a device, name, signature, word, letter, numeral or any combination thereof capable of distinguishing the goods or services of the proprietor from that of another proprietor or competitor.

Throughout its history the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago changed hands between several different European powers, before eventually becoming an English colony.

Trinidad and Tobago has not been immune to the effects of the recent global crisis on the financial services industry. The energy sector – the largest contributor to the local economy – has also been significantly affected by the global downturn, culminating in the sharp fall in oil prices over the last year.

Due to its central location, Panama’s economy is primarily based on a well-developed services sector, which accounts for nearly 83.4% of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal and its associated logistics hub, the Colón Free Trade Zone (CFTZ), banking, insurance, tourism and the international ship registry, health care and other economic sectors.

The most recent and relevant developments related to intellectual property (IP) in Panama have been the amendment of Law 35 of 1996 (Panama’s Industrial Property Law) through Law 61 of 2012, and the amendment of Law 15 of 1994 (Copyright Law) through Law 64 of 2012. These amendments have enabled Panama to update two laws that for many years were considered models for the...