A trademark is a unique symbol, word, phrase, logo, or combination thereof that distinguishes your business’s products or services from those of others in the marketplace. It acts as a legal recognition of your brand’s identity, helping customers easily identify and associate your goods or services with quality and trust.
Registering a trademark gives you the exclusive right to use that mark in connection with your offerings, and grants legal protection against infringement. This not only builds credibility and trust with your customers but also adds tangible value to your brand, making it a significant business asset.
Whether you’re a startup, SME, or established enterprise, having a registered trademark is essential to protect your brand, build customer loyalty, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Provides the exclusive right to use the trademark for the registered goods or services, preventing others from using similar marks.
Offers legal recourse against infringement or unauthorized use, including the ability to sue for damages.
Enhances brand credibility and market presence by distinguishing your products or services from competitors.
Adds value to the business as trademarks can be sold, licensed, or used as collateral for loans.
Helps in building a strong market presence and customer loyalty through a recognizable and protected brand.
Everything you need to protect your brand—handled by experts, from start to finish.
Conducting a search to ensure that the proposed trademark is not already registered or similar to existing marks.
Documentation: Gathering required documents, including the trademark logo or name, details of the applicant, and description of goods or services. Filing: Preparing and filing the trademark application with the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) of Sri Lanka.
Formal Examination: NIPO reviews the application for compliance with legal requirements. Substantive Examination: NIPO assesses the distinctiveness and potential conflicts with existing trademarks.
Trademark Journal: The trademark application is published in the official Trademark Journal to allow third parties to oppose if they have any objections.
Objections: Any third parties who believe the trademark infringes on their rights can file an opposition during the specified period.
Acceptance: If no objections are filed or all oppositions are resolved, NIPO will issue a Certificate of Registration.
The trademark is now legally protected for the specified period, typically 10 years, and can be renewed
Renewal Application: Submit a renewal application before the expiration of the registration period to maintain protection
A mark- trademark or service mark- is a visible sign that is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of different enterprises. A trademark relates to goods whereas a service mark relates to services. In addition, there are two more kind of marks – Certification marks and Collective marks. Certification mark is granted to the owner for goods or services if he certifies as to the origin, material and manufacturing method of goods or performance of service, quality and accuracy with regard to its use. A Collective mark is a mark serving to distinguish the origin or any other common characteristic of goods or services of different enterprises which use the Mark under the control of the registered owner.
The trademark registration process typically takes 12 to 18 months, including examination, publication, and potential opposition periods.
Yes, trademarks in Sri Lanka are initially registered for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
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