Historical Overview of Intellectual Property Registry
He Intellectual Property Registry (RPI) The Guatemalan Intellectual Property Commission is the public institution responsible for protecting, registering, and promoting intellectual property rights, such as trademarks, patents, industrial designs, copyrights, and related rights. It is attached to the... Ministry of Economy (MINECO) and acts as the entity that gives certainty to the creations of the intellect.
Its history dates back to the end of 19th century, when the first patent office was created under the Ministry of Public Works, through the Decree 148 of the Legislative Assembly of May 20, 1886. From that moment on, the registration of inventions, trademarks and other rights evolved with the legislative development of the country.
Example of one of the first invention patents registered in Guatemala, reflecting the historical background of the Intellectual Property Registry.
Later, in 1924 the was created Trademark and Patent Office under Decree 882 of December 31, and in 1944 This office became part of Ministry of Economy and Labor. On October 16, 1956, through Decree 1117, the dependency within the Ministry of Economy was consolidated, reinforcing the organizational structure of the registry to attend to industrial rights.
During the years of institutional change, in 1983, The registry temporarily suspended its activities and resumed them later under a new administrative order, according to the Agreement No. 305-83 from the Ministry of Economy.
With the promulgation of the Copyright and Related Rights Law (Decree No. 33-98), The traditional concept of “industrial property” was broadened to include intellectual property, encompassing both industrial rights and copyright and related rights. From then on, the institution became officially known as the Intellectual Property Registry.
Today, the Intellectual Property Registry It manages and oversees registrations in different fields of intellectual property, such as trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial designs, copyrights and related rights, and works in conjunction with other entities to promote creativity, innovation and legal protection of Guatemalan works and creations.
