Colombia Trademark Registration
Colombia is a signatory to international intellectual property treaties such as the Paris Convention and a member of the Madrid Protocol. Therefore, trademark registration can be processed through either direct national registration or Madrid international registration. Colombia adopts the 'first-to-file' principle for trademark registration.
Required Documents for Trademark Registration
- Applicant Information: Name, address, etc.
- List of Goods/Services and Corresponding Classes
- Trademark Specimen: If the trademark includes special graphic elements, shapes, colors, or is a figurative mark, combined mark, or three-dimensional mark, a reproduction of the trademark is required.
- Scanned Copy of the Signed and Stamped Power of Attorney (POA): Can be submitted within 60 days from the filing date.
- Priority Document Scan (if priority is claimed).
Trademark Registration Process
- Application Submission: The application is accepted within 1–2 weeks after submission.
- Formal Examination: The application is reviewed for compliance with requirements and classification standards. Once approved, it proceeds to publication.
- Publication: The opposition period is 30 working days from the publication date. Any interested party or holder of prior rights may file an opposition during this period.
- Substantive Examination: If no opposition is filed or if the opposition is unsuccessful, the Colombian Industrial Property Office conducts a substantive examination. This includes assessing the trademark's distinctiveness, compliance with prohibitions, and potential conflicts with prior trademarks.
- Approval and Certificate Issuance: After passing substantive examination, the trademark is approved for registration, and a registration certificate is issued.
Validity Period and Renewal
A trademark is valid for 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed for subsequent 10-year periods.
To continue using the trademark after expiration, a renewal application must be filed within six months before the expiration date. If the renewal meets requirements, a renewal certificate is issued, and the renewal is published.
If no renewal is filed by the expiration date, the trademark registration will be canceled, unless opposition is filed by a prior rights holder or interested party.