WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
18 May 2007 
 
 (07-2041) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:   Spanish 
 
 
 
REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 24.2 OF THE APPLICATION OF THE 
PROVISIONS OF THE SECTIO N OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS 
 
Responses to the Check-list of Questions1 
 
Addendum  
 
HONDURAS 
 
  The present communication, dated 15 May 2007, is  circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Honduras.  
_______________ 
 
 
I. RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS IN DOCUMENT IP/C/13 
A. G
ENERAL  
1. Is protection for geographical indications provided through unfair competition law, 
e.g. passing off, false designation of origin;  through a formal procedure for 
notification/registration before protection is avai lable;  or through both?  Does the recognition 
of a geographical indication require registration? 
 
 Yes, geographical indications are protected  by provisions in the Honduran legislation 
approving the content of the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS), 
which is incorporated in domestic law in accord ance with Article 16 of the Constitution of the 
Republic of Honduras and Article 7 of the Public  Administration Law, under which international 
treaties subscribed to by Honduras and ratified by the National Congress of the Republic shall be part 
of the domestic legislation of Honduras.  
 Furthermore, the Industrial Property Law (Decree No. 12-99-E of 30 December 1999) 
punishes (Article No. 168) acts of unfair competition re lating to geographical indications with a fine 
amounting to ten to two hundred mi nimum wages, without prejudice to the penalties laid down in the 
Penal Code for the wilful use in trade, in respect of a good or a service, of a geographical indication that is false or likely to mislead the public as to its source or the identity of the producer, manufacturer 
or trader of the good or service. 
  The above-mentioned Law also affords protecti on in the form of appellation of origin, and 
prohibits the use, in the trading of goods, of a false or misleading appellation of origin, or the 
                                                     
 
1 Documents IP/C/13 and IP/C/13/Add.1. IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
Page 2  
 
  imitation of an appellation of origin, even where the true origin of the goods is indicated, or a 
mistranslation of the appellation of origin is used, or the appellation of origin is used in conjunction 
with expressions such as " kind", "type", "style", "imitation " or the like . 
  According to Article No. 170 of Decree 12-99- E, an act of unfair competition is any act 
carried out in the course of business or for the pur poses of business which offends against the rules of 
good faith and honest business uses and practices.  The Law to Implement the Free Trade Agreement 
between the Dominican Republic, Central Amer ica and the United States (Decree No. 16-2006) 
provides in Article 15 that "the recognition and protection of a geographical indication involves 
observing prohibitions deriving from the third parti es' rights applied for or registered earlier". 
 
 Article 129 of Decree No. 12-99-E provides that there is a period within which anyone having 
a legitimate interest may file a properly substant iated opposition to an app lication to register a 
geographical indication.  
 As to recognition of geographical indications, exclusive use rights take effect as from the 
registration of protection issued by the Propert y Institute through the General Directorate of 
Intellectual Property.  
2. Is there one single regime of protection of geographical indications for all products?  If 
not, identify the different regimes.  
 
 Honduras has one single protection regime for geographical indications, contained in the 
Industrial Property Law, Decree No. 12-99-E, wh ich was amended by Decree No. 16-2006, the Law 
to Implement the Free Trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic, Central America and the 
United States. 
 
3. Do(es) the regime(s) of protection of geogr aphical indications also extend to services?  
 
 The regime does cover services, under Arti cle 123 of the Industrial Property Law. 
 
4. What provisions of law or regulations a re directed to the recognition of geographical 
indications required by Articles 22.2 and 23.1 of the TRIPS Agreemen t?  Citations to laws should 
be provided and, if the texts of the laws have no t been notified to the WTO, copies should be 
provided pursuant to Article 63.2.  
 
 Recognition of the geographical indications referred to in Ar ticle 22.2 is covered by the 
Industrial Property Law, Articles 129, 168 and 170, which was properly notified to the WTO pursuant to 
Article 63.2 of the TRIPS Agreement.   As regards TRIPS Article 23.1, which deals with additional protection for geographical indications for wines and spirits, Honduran legislat ion grants protection in general to all types of 
geographical indications. 
 
5. If the required recognition of geographical i ndications is not provided through statutes or 
regulations, please explain, in detail, the mechanism or mechanisms through which the protection required is provided.  
  The protection of geographical indications is  provided for in the Industrial Property Law, 
Decree No. 12-99-E, particularly Chapter V, Arti cles 123 to 133, and Decree No. 16-2006, the Law to 
Implement the Free Trade Agreement between th e Dominican Republic, Ce ntral America and the 
United States, Section III, Articles 14 and 15.   IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
 Page 3 
 
 
  6. Please provide a few examples of dome stic geographical indications protected in 
accordance with the means discussed above and i ndicate the means by which such protection is 
provided.  
 
 Only one appellation of origin has been registered so far:  MARCALA , which designates a 
coffee grown in a particular geographical area of Honduras. 
 
7. Is the higher level of protec tion required for wines and spirits under Article 23.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement provided for any other product?  If so, please specify such products and the 
law under which they are protected.  
 
 Protection for wines and spirits is provided for in  the domestic legislation on industrial property 
in general.  B. D
EFINITION AND CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION  
8. How are geographical indications defined? 
 
 In Honduras, Article 79.8 of the Intellectual Property Law establishes that:  " geographical 
indications shall mean indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a country, 
or a region or locality in that territory, where a gi ven quality, reputation or ot her characteristics of 
the good are essentially attributable to its geographical origin.  Any sign or combination of signs, in 
any form whatsoever, shall be eligib le to be a geographical indication ." 
 
9. Would such a definition comprise geographical indications identifying products of a 
certain quality or reputation which are indirectly linked to a specific region?  
  The definition in Article 79(8) referred to above does include quality and reputation 
characteristics of goods and products when they are essentially attributable to their geographical 
origin.  
10. In determining whether recognition should be given a geographical indication, what 
criteria are considered?  
 
 For recognition of a geographical indication, account  is taken solely of those characteristics of 
the good which are attributable to its geographical or igin;  it is also recognized in Honduras that any 
sign or combination of signs, in any form whatsoever, shall be eligible to be a geographical indication, 
pursuant to Article 79(8), as amended, of the I ndustrial Property Law.  Article 127 prohibits 
registration of any appellation of origin which is contrary to the definition in the above-mentioned 
article.   Furthermore, Article 123 of the same law states that:  " a geographical indication may not be 
used in trade, in respect of a product or a service, when  it is false or misleading as to the origin of the 
good or service, or when its use may create confusion or unwarranted expectations on the part of the 
public with regard to the origin, source, char acteristics or qualities of the good or service ." 
 
11. Is there any human creativity involved in the making of specific products under 
protection by the system of geographical indicati ons?  If so, how much?  And do these products 
involve any human factors? 
  The making of specific products under protection by the system of geographical indications 
does involve human creativity.  Besides the characte ristics attributable exclusively or essentially to 
the geographical environment in which the goods are produced, there are also natural factors and IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
Page 4  
 
  human factors
, covered by Article 79(9) of the Industrial Property Law.  As we see it, the techniques 
and methods the inhabitants of a region use in making a product confer on it a high degree of 
distinctiveness.  
12. Are there any other intellectual property righ ts involved, such as patents for example? 
 
 There are no express pr ovisions on this subject in Honduran law. 
 
13. What authority, if any, may define the geographic region or area for which rights are 
claimed and on what basis is such definition made? 
 
 The authority empowered to define the geographica l region or area is the Property Institute, 
through the General Directorate of Intellectual Property.  The definition is reached on the basis of 
aspects such as quality, reputation or other characteri stic of the good essentia lly attributable to its 
geographical origin.  
 
14. Does your legislation contain criteria for homonymous geographical indications for 
wines?  
 Honduran legislation lays down no specific criteria for homony mous geographical indications 
for wines.  However, Articles 79( 8), 123 and 127 of the Industrial Property Law contain general grounds 
applying to geographical indications fo r the purposes of TRIPS Article 22.4. 
 
15. Does your national legislation provide for recognition and protection of geographical 
indications or appellations of origin of foreign countries? 
 
 Yes, Honduran legislation does provide fo r recognition and protection of geographical 
indications, in Articles 125 and 126(2) of the Industri al Property Law.  They may be protected when the 
application is filed by foreign pr oducers, manufacturers or craftsman,  and competent public authorities 
having a legitimate interest.  
16. Is there any specific prohibition in the le gislation/regulations/rules/procedures covering 
geographical indications not protected in the countr y of origin?  If so, please specify the relevant 
statutory provision.  
 There are no specific provisions on this subject.  C. P
ROCEDURE FOR RECOGNITION  
17. With respect to any formal system for rec ognition of geographical indications, must the 
applicant be a governmental organization or can a private entity own the rights to a geographical indication? 
 
 Articles 125, 126 and 132 of the Industrial Prope rty Law say that protection for geographical 
indications may be declared upon application by na tural or legal persons, but do not specify whether 
the latter refers to a government organization or private entity. 
  IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
 Page 5 
 
 
  18. What are the competent authorities where the protection of a geographical indication 
can be obtained? 
 
 According to Articles 125 and 126 of the Industrial Property Law, protection of a 
geographical indication shall be submitted to the Prop erty Institute through the General Directorate of 
Intellectual Property (Industrial Property Registry Office). 
 
19. Do the procedures which lead to the recogn ition of a geographical indication take place 
ex officio or must they be based on th e initiative of an entity or person? 
  Articles 125 and 129 of the Industrial Prope rty Law provide that the protection of a 
geographical indication shall be upon request by  persons proving a leg itimate interest or upon 
application by one or more producers, manufact urers or craftsmen having their production or 
manufacturing establishment in the region or locality in the country that corresponds to the appellation of origin. 
 
20. What, if any, fees are involved in the application and maintenance of rights in a 
geographical indication? 
 
 The registration and alteration of an appellation of origin is subject to payment of the 
following fees:  (a) for registration of an appella tion of origin:  seven hundred lempiras (L 700.00);  
(b) for alteration of an appellation of origin:  three hundred and fifty lempiras (L 350.00), in 
accordance with Article 174(6) of the Industrial Property Law.  
21. If criteria must be set out in an applicat ion for recognition of a geographical indication, 
are those criteria purely geographic in nature? 
 
 They are essentially, but not ex clusively, geographic in nature. 
 
22. What other criteria, if any, must be se t out in an application for recognition of a 
geographical indication? 
  Articles 130 and 132 of the Industrial Property La w specify that applicants "with a legitimate 
interest" must carry out "directly" the activity they perform.  
23. What information must be supplied in an  application for rights in a geographical 
indication? 
 
 According to Article 128 of Industrial Propert y Law (Decree No. 12-99-E), the information to 
be provided is essentially the following:  
(a) Name, address, and nationality of the applican t or applicants and the location of their 
production or manufacturing establishments; 
(b) the geographical indication for which registration is sought; 
(c) the geographical area of production to wh ich the appellation of origin refers; 
(d) the goods for which the appellation of origin is used; 
(e) a brief description of the essential qualities or  characteristics of the goods for which 
an appellation of origin is sought;  and IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
Page 6  
 
  (f) payment of the corresponding fee. 
24. Must the goods or services with respect to wh ich a geographical indication is claimed be 
set out? 
 
 There is no express provision in Honduran law. 
 
25. What mechanisms are provided to oppose th e recognition of a geographical indication?  
How is an investigation conducted after such a complaint? 
 
 According to Article 129 of the Industrial Property Law, the procedures for examining, 
publishing, opposing
 and registering shall be governed by th e provisions applying to the registration 
of trademarks.  An investigation into a complaint about recognition of a geographical indication shall 
be conducted according to the procedure laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law. 
 
26. Who can oppose the recognition of a geographical indication? 
 
 According to Article 89 of the Industrial Propert y Law, any person (natural or legal) having a 
legitimate interest may file a substantiated opposition to an application for registration. 
 
27. If your national legislation provides for recognition and protection of geographical 
indications or appellations of origin of foreign countries, what is the procedure that has to be 
followed in order to obtain such reco gnition and consequent protection? 
 
 According to the Industrial Property Law, appli cations for registration may be filed with the 
Property Institute through the General Director ate of Intellectual Property (Industrial Property 
Registry), which will examine them in order to dete rmine whether they satisfy formal requirements.  
If the examination shows this not to be the case,  the above-mentioned body shall so inform the 
applicant, which has 30 (thirty) days to amend the application.  Otherwise, the application will be 
rejected.   Where an application meets the formal require ments, the General Directorate of Intellectual 
Property shall ascertain whether it is consistent with  Article 79(8) of the Industrial Property Law and 
if it is, shall order that it be published once only in the Official Journal  La Gaceta . 
  Within 30 days of publication, any person havi ng a legitimate interest may file a properly 
substantiated opposition to the registra tion.  In this case, the applicant shall be so informed in order 
that it may reply and the General Directorate of Intellectual Property shall rule on the matter. 
 
 In the absence of any opposition, the General Di rectorate of Intellectual Property shall issue, 
through the Industrial Property Registry, a substan tiated decision on the protection of the geographical 
indication in question.  D. M
AINTENANCE  
28. How long does recognition for a geographical indication continue? 
 
 It can be inferred from Articles 129 and 92 of the Industrial Property Law that recognition of a geographical indication lasts for a period of 10 (ten) years (renewable for a further ten years) from the date on which it is granted. 
  IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
 Page 7 
 
 
  29. If recognition of a geographical indicati on must be renewed or reaffirmed, what 
information must be provided in order to effect such a renewal or reaffirmation?  Specify any fees involved in renewal or reaffirmation. 
 
 According to Articles 93, 94 and 174(c) of the Industrial Property Law, in order to renew a 
geographical indication it is enough to file the appr opriate application and renewal will be granted 
without further formalities on the same terms as upon initial registration.  For each renewal, there is a 
fee of L 350.00 (three hundred and fifty lempiras).  
30. Must a geographical indication be used in or der to maintain rights?  If so, how is such 
use determined?  
 According to Article 106 of the Industrial Prope rty Law, in order to maintain rights it is 
necessary to use the geographical indication or at least  account for its non-use, or to have restored it 
during the period of non-use.  Use is determined when the goods or services that the geographical 
indications distinguish have been commercialized or  are available on the market under this mark in 
such quantity and manner as are normal bearing in mi nd the size of the domestic market, the nature of 
the goods or services and the procedures for their ma rketing in Honduras, as prescribed in Article 81 
of the law.  
31. Is there a specified limit for non-use before rights in a geographical indication cease and, 
if so, what is that limit?  
 Article 106 of the Industrial Property Law pr ovides that upon request, registration shall be 
cancelled in case of non-use of the geographical indication without due cause for the 3 (three) consecutive years preceding the date on whic h the request for cancellation is filed. 
 
32. Who monitors the use of geographical indications to determine if the criteria identified 
in the application continue to be met? 
 
 The monitoring is carried out by the Property Institute through the General Directorate of 
Intellectual Property (Industrial Property Registry). 
 
33. If a government entity is responsible for mo nitoring the use of geographical indications, 
what are its procedures for doing so? 
 
 The Property Institute applies the procedure laid down in the Law on Administrative 
Procedure. 
 
34. Are there means by which interested parties may request termination of a geographical 
indication based on non-use or failure to maintain  the criteria identified in the application?  
Describe the procedure.  
  Article 133 of the Industrial Property Law allows  requests for termination of a geographical 
indication in the form of a properly substantiate d application for cancellation of the protection. 
 
35. Do the procedures which lead to forfeitu re of a geographical indication take place 
ex officio or must they be based on th e initiative of an entity or person? 
 
 According to Article 105 of the Intellectual Property Law, the process may be conducted 
ex officio or upon application. IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
Page 8  
 
  E. S
COPE OF RIGHTS AND USE 
36. May anyone who meets the criteria submitted to obtain recognition of a geographical 
indication use that geographical indication after recognition is given or must additional criteria or procedures be followed by that  party before use is permitted? 
  According to Article 80 of the Industrial Pr operty Law, the right to use geographical 
indications is recognized – and so may be actually  asserted – upon being registered for the purpose by 
the General Directorate of Intellectual Property.  
37. Who makes the determination regarding use of a geographical indication by particular 
parties, the entity responsible for the recognitio n or the entity that obtained the recognition? 
 
 The decision as to use of a geographical indication lies with the entity that obtained the recognition.  38. Are there fees involved in receiving authorization to use a particular geographical indication and, if so, what are th ose fees and how are they established? 
 
 According to Article 174(6) of the Industr ial Property Law, Decree No. 12–99–E, a fee of 
L 700.00 (seven hundred lempiras) applies.  39. If there is a dispute regarding use of a ge ographical indication by a particular party, 
what procedures are followed to resolve it? 
 
 Disputes concerning the use of geographical indications and rights to their use are heard by the Courts of Law pursuant to Article  132 of the Industrial Property Law. 
 
40. Must individual authorized users of a geographical indication use that geographical 
indication continually to retain their right to use it and, if so, how is their use determined and 
how long will disuse be permitted? 
 
 Article 106 of the Industrial Property Law states that, as a general rule, the owner or licence 
holder must use the geographical indication, othe rwise cancellation may be requested in case of non-
use in the three-year period preceding the requ est unless due cause is shown or the annual 
"reauthorization" ( rehabilitación ) fee has been paid. 
  Use is determined when the goods or services that the indications di stinguish have been 
marketed or are available on the market under that  mark in such quantity and manner as are normal 
bearing in mind the size of the domestic market , the nature of the goods or services and the 
procedures for their marketing in Honduras, as prescribed in Article 81 of the same law. 
 
41. If there is a dispute over continuity of u se by a particular party, how is it resolved? 
  Any dispute over continuity of use is resolved  on the basis of evidence submitted or proof of 
payment for restoration of a geographical indication that has not been used.  The basis for this is the Law on Administrative Procedure.  It is for the ow ner of the right to prove use of the geographical 
indication.   IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
 Page 9 
 
 
  42. Does the regime for protection of geographical indications allow geographical 
indications to be licensed and, if so, what condi tions are imposed on such licenses?  If such 
conditions are not met, what is the effect on the geographical indication? 
 
 Yes, the regime for protection of geographical indications allows geographical indications to 
be licensed, since registration of protection of a geographical indication confers exclusive rights on 
the owner.  Furthermore, under Article No. 16 of Decree No. 16-2006, the owners of these rights may grant third parties licences
 to use them, and the registration of a licence is not a requirement for 
asserting any of the rights it covers.  
 The effects of granting licences for the use of geographical indications are obtention of proper 
protection for them and avoidance of trade-restri ctive measures and provision for the avoidance of 
acts of unfair competition.  
43. How is "grandfathered use" of a geographical indication, under Article 24.4 of the 
TRIPS Agreement, applied in your country?  
 In Honduras, "grandfathered use" of a geographi cal indication, under TRIPS Article 24.4, is 
applied in the light of the provisions of Chapter II,  Section 1, Article 84(2) of the Industrial Property 
Law.  
F. R
ELATIONSHIP TO TRADEMARKS  
44. What steps are taken to ensure that, in  recognizing a geographical indication, the 
obligations of Article 16.1 of the TRIPS Agreement are not nullified and impaired? 
 
 Article 84 of the Industrial Property Law prohib its registration as trademarks of the signs set 
out in any of the provisions of this Article, whic h include signs constituting an appellation of origin 
previously protected under the Law for the same goods, or for different goods when their use could 
give rise to a risk of confusion or association with  the appellation of origin or would mean taking 
unfair advantage of its repute.   Under Articles 160, 163, 165 and 172 of the La w, without prejudice to any other legal action 
that may apply, any natural or lega l person sustaining injury may engage in the administrative, civil or 
penal proceedings provided for in the Industrial Property Law.  
45. What steps are taken to ensure that, in  recognizing a geographical indication, the 
obligations of Article 16.2 and 16.3 of the TRIPS Agreement are not nullified and impaired? 
 
 Article 96 of the Industrial Property Law provid es that registration of a trademark entitles the 
owner to take action against anyone that uses the mark  without its consent and in particular, in respect 
of identical or similar goods or services for which th e mark has been registered, carries out acts such 
as using in trade a sign identical or similar to the registered mark, in respect of goods or services 
identical or similar to those for which it has been registered, when use of the sign in question could 
give rise to confusion or cause the owner economic  or commercial injury or cause dilution of the 
distinctive quality of the mark.  The possibility of  confusion shall be presumed to exist where an 
identical sign is used to distinguish identical goods or services.   The above provisions prevent any nullificati on or impairment of the obligations of 
TRIPS Article 16.2 and 16.3  as regards protection of geographical indications, since the regime 
recognizes exclusive use rights provided that the re quirements in Articles 123 and 127 of the above-
mentioned Law are fulfilled.  Use of the right by un authorized persons shall be treated as an act of IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
Page 10  
 
  unfair competition (Article 170), even when the i ndication is accompanied by expressions such as 
"kind", "type", "style", "imitation" or the like which also cause confusion to the public. 
  Any party sustaining injury may defend its ri ghts in accordance with the legal measures 
envisaged in Article 160 of the Law, without prej udice to any other applicable legal remedies. 
 
46. What procedures are foreseen in case of a conflict of a geographical indication with a 
trademark? 
 
 The procedures established in the Industrial Pr operty Law for any conflict between distinctive 
signs, such as opposition, envisaged in Article 89.  Article 129 establishes that the procedures for the 
examination, publication, opposition and registration of  appellations of origin shall be governed by 
the provisions applying to the registration of mark s, where appropriate.  Articles 105 and 106 of the 
Industrial Property Law also provide for invalidatio n and cancellation in the event of conflict between 
geographical indications or another distinctive sign. 
 
 Article 132, third paragraph, of the same Law provides that disputes concerning the right of 
use of a registered appellation of origin shall be heard by the Courts.  G. E
NFORCEMENT  
47. How are rights in the geographical indica tion enforced?  Are provisions available under 
unfair competition law?  Trademark law?  Other laws?  Provide citations to the laws and, if 
they have not been notified under Article 63.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, please provide copies. 
 
 Rights in a geographical indication are enforced  on the basis of the decision taken by the 
competent body to authorize registration. 
 
 Article 170 of the Industrial Property Law sets out the acts constituting unfair competition for 
distinctive signs in general, including geographical indications. 
  Only in the Industrial Property Law are distinctive signs protected including trademarks and geographical indications, as set forth in Article 82. 
 
48. Who has the right to enforce a geographical indication? 
 
 The Property Institute, through the General Di rectorate of Intellectual Property (Industrial 
Property Registry Office) has administrative oversight of intellectual property rights and 
responsibility for their enforcement. 
 
49. What judicial or administrative bodies have jurisdiction over enforcement actions 
related to geographical indications?  Are there fees involved and, if so, what are those fees? 
 
 As regards administrative proceedings, the Prope rty Institute, through the General Directorate 
of Intellectual Property (Industrial Property Regist ry Office) is responsible for enforcing the 
provisions of the Industrial Propert y Law on geographical indications. 
  The civil courts hear claims for damages relating to intellectual property, and cases where 
there is a presumption of an industrial-property -related offence are heard by the criminal courts. 
  IP/C/W/117/Add.31 
 Page 11 
 
 
  50. Must the public be notified of the existenc e of a geographical indication and, if so, how 
and how often? 
 
 Yes, applications for registration of a geogra phical indication must be notified to the public.  
A notice is published once in the Official Journal La Gaceta , pursuant to Article 129 of the Industrial 
Property Law. 
 
51. Is unauthorized use of a geographical indicati on subject to criminal action and, if so, 
describe the procedures.  If the law has not b een notified pursuant to Article 63.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement, please provide a copy. 
 
 Yes, Title VI, Chapter I of the Industrial Pr operty Law lays down mandatory penal sanctions 
for offences involving unauthorized use of a geogra phical indication.  The applicable procedures are 
laid down in the Code of Penal Procedure, which has been notified to the WTO.  
H. I
NTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS  
52. Is your government party to an internatio nal, including bilateral or plurilateral, 
agreement for the notification and/or registration of geographical indications?  If so, please 
name the international agreement and explain th e relationship between it and your national 
legislation. 
  At multilateral level, Honduras is a Member of  the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the 
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectua l Property (TRIPS) forms part of its domestic 
legislation.  At regional level, Honduras is a signa tory to the following free trade agreements:  the 
CA-3/Mexico Free Trade Agreement together with th e Republics of El Salvador and Guatemala, the 
Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement and the Dominican Republic-Central 
America-United States Free Trade Agreement.  As a general rule, without prejudice to the Industrial 
Property Law, the provisions on intellectual propert y contained in the above -mentioned international 
treaties in force in Honduras are applicable.  
53. What other international agreements, if an y, have been entered into?  What do those 
agreements provide? 
 
 Honduras is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, 
administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  
__________