Ricardo Zúñiga Viteri

Ricardo advises on the protection, enforcement, and strategic use of intellectual property, with experience spanning trademarks, patents, copyright, trade secrets, anti-counterfeiting, and emerging technologies. His work is particularly well suited to matters requiring both technical IP knowledge and creative, practical solutions.

A significant part of Ricardo’s practice is dedicated to brand protection and IP enforcement. Over the past four years, he has led the successful prosecution of more than 100 criminal complaints involving imports of counterfeit goods, securing the seizure, surrender, and destruction of infringing products and recovering damages for clients.

Ricardo also advises on patent and trade secret strategies, technology-related matters, and contractual tools for protecting innovation. His patent experience includes the preparation, filing, and prosecution of applications in more than 40 jurisdictions.

His interest in emerging technologies has led to innovative approaches to IP protection, including the development of a private depository for plant DNA using blockchain technology to document and protect innovative plant varieties.

Beyond protecting and enforcing IP rights, Ricardo works with clients on strategies to maximize the commercial value of their intangible assets, helping businesses use intellectual property to support growth and innovation in Guatemala and across Central America.

Two decades guiding international corporations and global law firms through trademark and anti-counterfeiting enforcement across Central America. He heads the Patents, Utility Models & Industrial Design team and created the firm's enforcement department — which in two years filed 60+ criminal complaints and drove seizures of counterfeit merchandise valued over US$300,000. Speaks regularly at AIPPI and ASIPI events and teaches Trademarks at Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.

President, Intellectual Property Committee, American Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala (AMCHAM).

Board Member, Cámara Guatemalteca de la Propiedad Intelectual (CAMPI).

Academic Coordinator, AIPPI Regional Group for Central America and the Caribbean.

Member, Plant Varieties Committee, Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI).

Ricardo stands out for combining traditional IP enforcement with innovative approaches to protecting intangible assets. His enforcement work has included leading more than 100 criminal complaints against counterfeit-goods imports, while his international patent practice has extended to more than 40 jurisdictions.

His work also includes developing unconventional IP protection strategies, including a private depository for plant DNA leveraging blockchain technology to document and protect innovative plant varieties. This combination of enforcement experience, international patent work, and technology-driven solutions allows Ricardo to approach complex IP challenges from both a legal and strategic perspective.