ARIAS marks a milestone in Guatemala with first patent granted under APG program

ARIAS has announced the grant of the first patent issued in Guatemala under the Accelerated Patent Grant (APG) program.

The patent covers an audio invention developed by Dolby International, a global company specializing in audio, imaging and voice technologies for the entertainment industry.

ARIAS was responsible for the prosecution and strategic management of the application, supporting the patent holder throughout the process.

An accelerated patent grant procedure

The APG is an expedited examination procedure that Guatemala’s Intellectual Property Registry (RPI) began implementing in November 2025 under an agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Through the mechanism, the RPI can rely on examination results issued by the USPTO to expedite the prosecution of patent applications in Guatemala.

According to ARIAS, the procedure shortens the time to grant, strengthens the country’s industrial property system and can positively impact its innovation and competitiveness indicators.

First grant under the APG

The firm highlights that the first grant demonstrates the APG’s effectiveness in practice, as the application was examined and granted in significantly less time than through the standard procedure.

For ARIAS, the result represents a meaningful step forward for patent protection in Guatemala and opens the door for more innovators to benefit from the accelerated mechanism.

Ivón Hernández led the matter

The matter was led by Ivón Hernández, partner at ARIAS, who has more than 15 years of experience in intellectual property.

The firm said her expertise was key in directing the strategy and guiding the application through to grant.

ARIAS congratulated Ivón Hernández and its Guatemala Intellectual Property team on the achievement, which the firm said reaffirms its commitment to advising clients with quality and passion.

The firm also has a dedicated analysis explaining the requirements and operation of the APG program.

Key facts

• ARIAS handled the first patent granted in Guatemala through the Accelerated Patent Grant (APG) program.
• The patent covers an audio invention developed by Dolby International.
• The APG program has been implemented in Guatemala since November 2025 under an agreement between the Intellectual Property Registry (RPI) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• The accelerated procedure allows the RPI to rely on examination results issued by the USPTO, reducing the time required to obtain patent protection in Guatemala.
• The matter was led by Ivón Hernández, partner at ARIAS, who has more than 15 years of experience in intellectual property.
• The grant demonstrates the practical application of the APG mechanism and creates a faster route for eligible innovators seeking patent protection in Guatemala.