BLP fields a sizeable team of ‘very professional and dedicated lawyers with extensive knowledge of intellectual property’, handling the full gamut of trade mark, patent and copyright matters in Guatemala, as well as joining up with the firm’s offices in Central America to provide a multi-jurisdictional service. The firm assists a growing roster of international clients with the management of their IP portfolios, with standout strength in advising global pharmaceutical, tech and telecoms companies, and has also expanded its offering to cover health regulation, consumer protection, data privacy and advertising matters. In addition, the team has been increasingly active in IP litigation, including cancellation, nullity and opposition actions. ‘Unmatched’ practice heads Luis Ruiz and Pamela López lead the regional IP group and the national practice, respectively. The enviably deep bench also includes senior associate Melanie Avea and associates Marleni García and Daniela Meza.

Backed up by the ‘manpower, resources and experience that few, if any, other firms in Central America possess', the Guatemalan team at regional firm Consortium Legal is well equipped to advise leading Latin American clients on the management of their IP portfolios throughout the region (often with the support of the firm’s other offices), as well as in the Americas, the Middle East and Europe. Demonstrating strength in the food and beverages and pharmaceutical industries in particular, the team handles a high volume of trade mark and patent applications and registrations, and also takes on the full range of IP litigation. Another key asset for clients is the firm’s regional IP software, which organises client information across multiple jurisdictions. Ninoshka Urrutia, who has ‘vast experience' in all facets of trade mark, patent and copyright work, leads the practice. Associate Stephanie Arévalo provides capable support.

As the IP arm of regional firm Mayora & Mayora, S.C., Mayora IP is able to provide services throughout Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to a host of household-name multinational clients, assisting with the filing, prosecution and management of their trade mark, patent and copyright portfolios. In particular, the team is commended for its strength in IP litigation, which is reflected in its recent caseload; highlights include anti-counterfeiting actions, claims of copyright infringement, challenges to the rejection of patent applications and constitutional injunctions (a key area of expertise for senior associate Sara Larios). Another notable attribute is the practice’s ability to handle domain name issues through its sister firm Mayora Domains, S.A.. Joint managing partners Eduardo Mayora and Santiago Mayora, who plays a prominent role in high-profile IP litigation, head the team. Senior associate Hugo Rivas is also a name to note for patent matters and litigation, while associate Laura Barrios focuses on trade mark filings.

Hailed for its ‘impeccable service' and ‘detailed knowledge of the regulations and jurisprudence in Latin American and Caribbean countries', Palomo Abogados fields a comprehensive IP practice in the region, and significantly strengthened its offering to European clients in 2023 with the return of ‘excellent' associate Paula Passarelli (who is based part time in Madrid) as head of the international IP department. Acting for a host of multinationals from the consumer products, tech, pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors, the team advises on the prosecution and enforcement of trade mark and patent portfolios, and is particularly active in IP litigation, with a strong emphasis on anti-counterfeiting actions. At the head of the practice, Héctor Palomo is a go-to figure for complex litigation, while director Sandra Iriarte focuses on portfolio management. The talented associate team also includes Flor Méndez, who heads the national IP practice, and anti-counterfeiting specialist Brayan Mejia.

Boutique firm Viteri & Viteri has been a leading name in the Guatemalan IP field for almost a century, handling a high volume of trade mark and patent registrations in multiple jurisdictions in Latin America for an enviable roster of local and international clients. The team has a particularly strong presence in the agricultural sector, but also acts for major players in the cosmetics, consumer goods, fashion and pharmaceutical industries. Another of the firm’s key attributes is its expertise in IP litigation, with an impressive recent record in anti-counterfeiting actions, where senior associate Ricardo Zúñiga Viteri is the name to note. Zúñiga Viteri leads the team alongside the vastly experienced Ernesto Ricardo Viteri Echeverría, who has spent more than 50 years practising IP law. Other key figures at top level are managing partner Ernesto José Viteri Arriola and Pilar Ogarrio, who focuses her practice on trade marks, trade names and advertising signs.

In addition to being prolific in the filing and prosecution of trade marks for leading multinationals (including joining forces with their counterparts in the firm’s other offices in Central America to manage clients’ regional portfolios), the ‘excellent lawyers' in Arias' IP team are increasingly active in advising on patent applications for major global pharmaceutical companies. The firm’s IP litigation practice is also continuing to grow, particularly in criminal anti-counterfeiting cases. Practice head Ivón Hernández, who was elevated to the partnership in June 2024, has wide-ranging experience in IP matters that extends to the IP aspects of software and licensing agreements. Associate Cristina Ortega, who rejoined the team in June 2023, contributes complementary expertise in data protection and technology, while managing partner Liz Gordillo and seasoned litigator Mario René Archila are also key names at senior level.

Legalsa's IP team leverages the firm’s full-service model to advise leading local and international clients on the management of their trade mark portfolios in Guatemala and Central America, as well as handling both civil and criminal IP litigation. Trade mark prosecution is a key area of work for the team, but its expertise also extends to advising authors and artists on copyright issues. In addition, the team is skilled in opposition and nullity actions, supported by the firm’s top-flight litigation department, and has growing experience in anti-counterfeiting investigations. Practice head Karina Calderón has a wealth of experience in the full range of IP matters, including related tech and e-commerce issues. She is supported by Madrid-based associate Óscar Herrera, who takes the lead on trade mark oppositions, while Henry Comte and Alejandro Penados also assist with contentious matters.

The ‘exceptional' team at A. D. Sosa & Soto advises on the full spread of IP issues, from trade mark filing and prosecution to IP infringement claims and unfair competition actions. The firm has an active practice managing the IP portfolios of leading local and multinational clients, both in Guatemala and in other jurisdictions in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as advising on IP issues relating to software development. Juan Sebastián Soto, who brings his experience in corporate law to bear when advising on the transfer of technology and protection of IP rights in franchise and distribution agreements, leads the team with ‘expert' IP director Hania Krück, whose practice spans trade mark, copyright and regulatory issues. Since the conclusion of research, the firm has merged into Costa Rica's Tactic Legal (by which name it is now known), as part of the development of a regional firm which also has offices in El Salvador and Honduras.

As part of a regional network, Alta QIL+4 Abogados is a strong choice for clients seeking assistance with the management of their IP portfolios throughout Central America, acting for a host of major domestic and multinational clients from the pharmaceuticals, sugar, retail, automotive, construction and tech industries, among others. The team also has robust skill sets in civil and criminal IP litigation, including anti-counterfeiting cases. Managing partner Marcos Ibargüen, who draws upon extensive corporate and litigation experience, oversees the practice alongside senior associate Alejandro del Valle, the current president of the IP Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala, whose broad practice takes in trade mark, patent and copyright issues.

Bermejo & Bermejo's IP team draws on its robust domestic experience and close links to international firms to handle a high volume of trade mark registrations and renewals in Central America and other Latin American jurisdictions. The team is well versed in acting for multinationals and multilatinas, counting key players in the pharmaceutical and agrochemicals sectors, in particular, among its clients. On the contentious side, the practice is also active in opposition actions. Luis Fernando Bermejo, who is adept at advising on the management of clients’ IP portfolios throughout Latin America, leads the team with Juan Carlos Bermejo, who lends his corporate expertise to the practice. Associate Flor de María Folgar is also a key contact.

Dentons' IP team takes advantage of the global firm’s extensive footprint in Central America to advise a host of leading multinationals on the management of their trade mark and health registration portfolios in the region. The team advises on a steady stream of registrations and renewals, and also has a strong record in trade mark opposition and cancellation actions. The music and entertainment sectors are core areas of expertise for the practice, but it also has a growing client base in the pharmaceutical industry. ‘Exceptional' IP and technology director Gabriela Gándara, an expert in trade marks and copyright, leads the team, supported by associate María José Huerta, who joined from the Registry of Intellectual Property in March 2023, and litigation director Paola Haase.

Ideas Trademarks & Patents has quickly gained traction in the Guatemalan market thanks to its January 2023 association with Lexincorp (with practice co-head Gonzalo Menéndez González and associate Ovidio Parra, a veteran litigator, handling IP matters for both firms), while its presence in Central America and Haiti enables the firm to offer a regional service to its clients. The team is a strong performer in the field of trade mark filing and prosecution, with additional expertise in patent and copyright issues, acting for major international companies from the pharmaceutical, fashion and tech sectors, among others. Another key pillar of the practice is anti-counterfeiting and enforcement actions, where team co-head Gustavo Noyola has a stellar reputation. Associate Maria José Castellanos is also noted.

Lex Atlas advises on a comprehensive range of IP matters, from assisting major local and international companies with the registration of trade marks and patents in Guatemala and elsewhere in Latin America, to handling copyright and advertising-related issues for clients in the media and entertainment industry. The team is also skilled in IP litigation, including opposition actions and anti-piracy cases, benefitting from a strategic alliance with IPE Americas. Virginia Servent Palmieri leads the team, bringing to the table a wide range of experience in IP protection and enforcement (as well as licensing issues and the IP aspects of franchising and distribution agreements). Managing partner Ignacio Andrade Aycinena is also a go-to name for litigation.