What is Puerto Rico's law on federal patent law?

Patents are entirely federal. (35 U.S.C.)

What is Puerto Rico's law on federal copyright act?

Copyright protection attaches automatically upon fixation. (17 U.S.C.)

Puerto Rico law

Intellectual Property Laws in Puerto Rico.

Most intellectual property law in Puerto Rico is federal: patents (35 U.S.C.), copyright (17 U.S.C.), and federal trademarks (15 U.S.C.). Puerto Rico provides state-law trademark registration through the Department of State under Act No. 169-2009 (Trademarks Act). Puerto Rico recognizes common-law and statutory trade-secret protection. Patent and federal trademark matters are litigated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (San Juan).

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Federal Patent Law35 U.S.C.

Patents are entirely federal.

Federal Copyright Act17 U.S.C.

Federal Trademark (Lanham Act)15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.

Federal trademark registration through the USPTO provides nationwide priority, including in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Trademarks ActAct No. 169-2009 (10 L.P.R.A. §§ 223u et seq.)

Puerto Rico's state-law trademark registration statute. Administered by the Department of State. Provides supplementary protection to federal registration.

Trade SecretsPR caselaw; federal Defend Trade Secrets Act

Puerto Rico has not adopted the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Trade-secret protection derives from common-law principles and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (2016).

State law

Official Sources

USPTO U.S. Copyright Office PR Department of State

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico.

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Intellectual Property Laws in Puerto Rico.

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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