# Trademark registration in Guatemala

> Trademarks in Guatemala are registered with the Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual, Ministry of Economy (RPI); third parties can oppose within 2 months from publication of the edict. A registration lasts 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed. Guatemala is not in the Madrid System, so a national filing is needed.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/guatemala
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual (Intellectual Property Registry), Ministry of Economy (RPI)
- **Madrid Protocol:** Not a member
- **Opposition period:** 2 months from publication of the edict
- **Protection:** 10 years from the registration date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** No — one class per application
- **Foreign applicants:** Applicants not domiciled in Guatemala must act through a representative domiciled in Guatemala who is an active member…

## Official links
- Trademark office: https://portal.rpi.gob.gt/
- Law: Decree No. 57-2000, Industrial Property Law (Ley de Propiedad Industrial) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/2009
- Law: Decree No. 3-2013 amending Decree No. 57-2000 — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/15895
- Law: Government Agreement No. 89-2002, Regulations under the Industrial Property Law — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/2036
- Law: Government Agreement No. 95-2014 amending Government Agreement No. 89-2002 — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/15978

## Steps
1. Search the Registry's records for earlier identical or similar marks (the Registry offers retrospective searches).
2. File one application per class with the RPI, through its electronic window (VERPI) or in person, through a Guatemalan lawyer if the applicant is not domiciled in Guatemala.
3. The Registry carries out a formal examination, and any deficiencies must be corrected within one month or the application is deemed abandoned.
4. The Registry carries out a substantive examination on registrability grounds, and the applicant has two months to answer any objection.
5. Once accepted, the edict is published in the Registry's Official Bulletin (BORPI), which opens a two-month opposition period.
6. If there is no opposition (or it is resolved in the applicant's favour), the Registry grants the mark and the registration fee must be paid within one month of notification.
7. The mark is entered in the register and is valid for 10 years from the registration date.

- **Examination:** The RPI examines both formalities and substance (absolute and relative grounds) under Article 25 of Decree 57-2000; after the opposition or evidence period ends, the Registry is to decide within one month (Article 28). No official overall processing time is published.
- **Publication:** Edicts and notices are published in the Boletín Oficial del Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual (BORPI), the Registry's official bulletin created by Decree 3-2013.
- **Opposition:** 2 months from publication of the edict (Article 27 of Decree 57-2000); the applicant then has 2 months to respond.
- **Late renewal:** Renewal may be requested within the year before expiry; a 6-month grace period after expiry is available with a surcharge, and the registration remains in force during it (Article 32).
- **Power of attorney:** Proof of the representative's authority must be filed with the first filing (Article 7). Secondary sources state that a foreign power of attorney must be legalised by a Guatemalan consulate or apostilled; this was not confirmed in the official text.
- **Language:** Spanish; foreign-language documents such as priority documents and assignments must be accompanied by a Spanish translation (sworn translation for assignments, which must also be legalised).
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- Only one class may be covered per application, so a mark in several classes needs separate applications (Article 22).
- Trademark rights are acquired by registration, not by use, and prior use is not required to apply (Articles 16 and 17).
- Publication is made in the Registry's own official bulletin (BORPI) rather than in a newspaper.
- A registration may be cancelled if the mark has not been used during the 5 years before the cancellation action (Article 66).
- Guatemala is not a member of the Madrid Protocol, so protection must be sought by filing directly with the RPI.

## FAQ
### Is Guatemala part of the Madrid Protocol?
No. Guatemala is not a Madrid Protocol member, so marks must be filed directly with the Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual.

### Can I register a trademark in several classes with one application in Guatemala?
No. Each application may cover goods or services of only one class, so a separate application is needed for each class.

### How long is a trademark registration valid in Guatemala?
A registration lasts 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed for further 10-year periods, with a 6-month grace period after expiry on payment of a surcharge.

### How long is the trademark opposition period in Guatemala?
Third parties have 2 months from publication of the edict in the Registry's Official Bulletin (BORPI) to file an opposition.

### Do foreign companies need a local lawyer to register a trademark in Guatemala?
Yes. Applicants not domiciled in Guatemala must act through a representative domiciled in the country who is an active member of the Guatemalan bar.

## Sources
- RPI Guatemala official portal: https://portal.rpi.gob.gt/
- MINECO: Propiedad Intelectual (procedures overview): https://mineco.gob.gt/images/que_hacer/var/Propiedad_Intelectual.pdf
- WIPO Lex: Decree No. 57-2000, Industrial Property Law: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/2009
- Decree 57-2000 full text (FAOLEX): https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/gua28656.pdf
- WIPO Lex: Decree No. 3-2013 amendments: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/15895
- WIPO Lex: Government Agreement No. 89-2002 (Regulations): https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/2036
- WIPO Lex: Government Agreement No. 95-2014: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/15978
- WIPO Lex: Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/parties/8

Need a firm that files in Guatemala? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/guatemala (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.