COSTA RICA Law and Practice Contributed by: Maricruz Villanea Villegas, Roberto Arguello, Edna Lopez and Leyla Harper-Dominique, IDEAS IP
IDEAS IP is the leading intellectual property firm in Central America and the Caribbean, headquartered in Costa Rica and with offices in El Salvador, Guatema- la, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana. The firm handles trade marks and patents for clients across the food and beverage, technology, pharma and automotive sectors, among others. Through a single contact and one power of attorney, IDEAS manages IP portfo- lios across more than 30 countries, making cross-
border work straightforward for clients anywhere in the world. IDEAS works with artificial intelligence and the best software platforms available, giving clients direct visibility into their portfolios around the clock from anywhere in the world. The firm’s pricing is built for large portfolios, keeping costs in check without cutting corners on service. Clients choose IDEAS for its regional knowledge, practical approach and con- sistent results.
Authors
Maricruz Villanea Villegas is the founding and managing partner of IDEAS, with more than 25 years’ experience in IP law across Central America and the Caribbean. She has built a strong reputation managing
Edna Lopez is the partner in charge of IDEAS’ operations in El Salvador, with over 23 years of experience in IP law. She manages international trade mark portfolios for local and multina- tional companies, advising on the
large trade mark portfolios for fashion, consumer goods, technology, and pharmaceuticals clients, covering trade mark prosecution and enforcement, anti-counterfeiting, patent protection and commer- cial licensing. She has participated in national IP legislation reviews and works closely with govern- ment and private sector bodies to strengthen regional enforcement. Maricruz is an active member of ASIPI, INTA, AIPPI, APAA and JIPA, recently focusing on managing IP portfolios and using artificial intelligence to improve service and ensure the protection of her clients’ IP assets.
protection, enforcement and expansion of their IP assets. Edna served as President of the Salvadoran Intellectual Property Association (ASPI) for 2022–25 and as Principal Delegate of El Salvador to ASIPI for 2022–24. In 2026, she was named Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year in El Salvador by the Clients Choice Awards, reflecting her technical expertise, leadership and dedication to client service.
Leyla Harper-Dominique is a legal professional partner in Haiti with over 17 years of experience, having worked in international criminal law at the Canadian Department of Justice. She has 12+ years of experience in
Roberto Arguello is the partner in charge of IDEAS’ trade marks and patents operations in Nicaragua. He advises national and international clients on regulatory, compliance and IP matters, including trade mark and
the IP field across Haiti and the Caribbean, advising local and international clients on trade mark pros- ecution, portfolio management and enforcement strategies. Within INTA, she co-chaired the 2024 TMAP meeting, led the development of the beginner and intermediate certificate programmes, and has spoken on several international panels. She is completing her law degree in Haiti and actively advocates for Haiti’s visibility within the global IP community.
patent protection under Nicaraguan law. He also represents local companies and foreign investors establishing or expanding operations in Nicaragua and manages IP portfolios for a broad range of clients. He is known for his practical and client-focused approach. Roberto is a member of the International Trademark Association and the Asociación Interamericana de la Propiedad Intelectual, where he serves as vice-dele- gate for Nicaragua for the 2026–27 term.
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