Main IP Treaties

Paris Convention

On March 1, 1996 Decree No. 1244 was published in Nicaragua's Official Journal, which approves the adherence of Nicaragua to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Stockholm text). The instrument of accession was deposited by the government of Nicaragua on April 3, 1996, and in accordance to Article 21.3, the Convention became enforceable as of July 3, 1996.

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)

The PCT is in force in Nicaragua as of 6 March 2003.

General Inter-American Convention for Trademark and Commercial Protection

The adherence of Nicaragua to the Inter-American Convention was approved on May 30, 1934. It was, until the accession of Nicaragua to the Paris Convention, the main mean of protecting well known trademarks in Nicaragua.

World Trade Organization and Annexes

By virtue of Decree 47-95 of July 27 1995, published in the Official Journal No. 141 of July 28, 1995, Nicaragua ratified the Agreement that established the World Trade Organization and Annexes.

Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works

On November 26, 1999 Decree No. 2376 was published, which approves the adherence of Nicaragua to the Berne Convention (August 23, 2000 - Paris Act).

Nicaragua is also a party to the following treaties:

• Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms (August 10, 2000)
• Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (August 10, 2000)
• WIPO Copyright Treaty (March 6, 2003)
• WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (March 6, 2003)
• The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) - (September 6, 2001 - 1978 Act).