PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Nicaragua

Nicaragua has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since July 3, 1996, and to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since March 6, 2003. Additionally, Nicaragua is a member of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedure. The country is also involved in the regional LATIPAT platform for IP information and participates in the PROSUR cooperation system focused on operational and industrial property information. 

In Nicaragua, the national phase of a PCT application must generally be entered within 30 months from the priority date. 

In Nicaragua, patent applications must be filed in Spanish. Although PCT applications can initially be submitted in a foreign language, a Spanish translation must be provided within two months from the national filing date. 

In Nicaragua, no extensions are granted for the late filing of a patent application. 

The documents required to file the national phase application in the said country are as follows:

• Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney, duly notarized and legalised by the apostille or a Honduran consulate should be submitted within 30 days from office action of missing requirement. 

• Assignment Deed: Assignments are required only if the applicant of the priority application differs from the applicant of the Nicaraguan application, or if an assignment was not filed with the International Bureau (IB) during the PCT international phase. 

The national fee is reduced by 75% if the application is submitted by a natural person. 

In Nicaragua, the examination process begins automatically once a valid patent application is filed. No separate request for examination is needed.  

In Nicaragua, renewal fees are paid annually to keep the patent valid. The first renewal fee, which covers the third year of the patent, is due on the second anniversary of the application filing date. Subsequent renewal fees are due on each following anniversary of the filing date. 

In Nicaragua, a patent term is generally 20 years from the filing date of the patent application. 

In the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, Nicaragua ranks 124th out of 133 economies, positioning it 35th among the 38 lower-middle-income countries and 20th among the 20 Latin American and Caribbean nations in the index. Nicaragua's GII score in 2024 was 14 points, a decline from 22.5 points in 2019. The index evaluates innovation capabilities based on 80 indicators, divided into innovation inputs and outputs. Nicaragua's strongest performance areas include Market sophistication (71st), Business sophistication (99th), Infrastructure (114th), and Human capital and research (117th). However, it lags behind in Creative outputs (130th), Institutions (129th), and Knowledge and technology outputs (118th). 

Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America, has shown notable economic progress in recent years, particularly with a 4.6% GDP growth in 2023 and increased foreign direct investment (6.7% of GDP). The service sector, including hotels, restaurants, and retail, has been a key driver of this growth, contributing significantly to the nation's economic resilience. Furthermore, remittances have seen a strong rise, now representing 26.1% of GDP, further boosting consumption and economic activity.

The country's employment rate reached 66.9% in late 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels, with significant improvements in women's employment (54.9% in June 2024). Additionally, poverty has decreased to 12.5% in 2023, reflecting ongoing progress in improving living standards. 

Nicaragua has substantial opportunities for sustainable growth, particularly through investments in human capital, enhanced access to basic services, and strengthening its international market access. By focusing on value-added manufacturing and services, the country is positioning itself for future growth and innovation.