The short answer
Under the Andorran Trademark Law, registration is for ten years from the date of registration, and the registration date is the date the Trademark Office receives the application if it is in order. It can be renewed indefinitely for ten-year periods, with a six-month grace period and a surcharge. The Law has no pre-registration opposition stage, and the civil court can revoke a mark that has not been put to real use for five years. Applicants without a presence in Andorra must use a licensed representative.
Trademark deadlines in Andorra at a glance
These rules come from the Andorran Trademark Law (Law of 1995 as consolidated, with amendments to 2023), in the English text on WIPO Lex. Fees and procedures are set in the Regulations, so we confirm them before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | Ten years counted from the date of registration, renewable indefinitely for successive ten-year periods (Article 13). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of registration, which is the date the Trademark Office receives an application that meets the formal conditions (Articles 12 and 13). |
| When can I renew? | The renewal request is made as the Regulations specify and with payment of the prescribed fees, for all or some of the goods and services. The renewal is recorded in the Trademark Register (Article 13(2) and (4)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. If the registration has not been renewed by its expiry date, it may still be renewed within a six-month period of grace on payment of the prescribed surcharge (Article 13(3)). |
| Opposition period | The Law we read provides for registration once the application meets the formal conditions, without a formal opposition stage. Interested persons use the court actions for invalidity and revocation (Articles 11, 26 and 27). |
| Reply to an office action | The Trademark Office checks the application as to form and gives the applicant a period to remedy defects. If the defects are cured, the registration date stays the date of receipt (Articles 10 to 12). |
| Priority claim | Priority applies for six months from the filing of the first application in a Paris Convention state, and exhibition priority runs six months from first display. |
| Non-use | The civil court may revoke a registration at the request of a person with a legitimate interest if the owner has failed, without valid reason, to put the mark to real and effective use in Andorra for the registered goods or services during the five years before the request (Article 27(1)(a)). |
| Assignment | The registration can be transferred and licensed, and changes are recorded in the Trademark Register. An agent or representative registering the owner's mark in its own name can be challenged (Article 18). |
Who can register a trademark in Andorra
Any person can apply to the Trademark Office. Applicants without a presence in Andorra need a licensed representative (Article 8).
Representation. An applicant or owner without residence, headquarters or a real and effective establishment in Andorra must be represented before the Trademark Office by a licensed representative (Article 8(1)).
Trademark registration process in Andorra
Search
- Search the the Andorran Trademark Office (Oficina de Marques) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Andorran Trademark Office (Oficina de Marques), through a licensed Andorran representative.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- The Trademark Office registers the mark once the application meets the formal conditions (Article 11). Third parties act through invalidity or revocation.
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the Andorran Trademark Office (Oficina de Marques) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Andorra trademark validity and renewal
- A registration is for ten years from the registration date.
- Renew indefinitely for ten-year periods.
- A six-month grace period costs a surcharge.
- Use the mark for real in Andorra to avoid court revocation after five years.
Diarise the ten-year date from the registration date shown on the certificate.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Andorran trademark
Renunciation
Possible
The owner can renounce the registration (Article 25).
Invalidity
Court action
Invalidity is dealt with in Article 26.
Revocation
Court action
Revocation is dealt with in Article 27.
Lapse
Not renewed
A registration not renewed after the grace period lapses (Article 28).
Non-use and cancellation of a Andorran trademark
The civil court can revoke a registration for five years without real and effective use, or where the mark has become a generic name or misleading through the owner's acts or inaction (Article 27). A registration not renewed after the grace period lapses (Article 28).
Keep dated proof of use in Andorra: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Andorra
Search the Trademark Register kept by the Trademark Office for the registration, renewal and lapse dates.
Sources used
- Trademark Law of Andorra (Law of 1995 as consolidated), English text on WIPO Lex: Articles 8, 10 to 13, 18, 25 to 28.
- The Trademark Office for the Regulations, fees and forms.
Andorra trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Andorra, and from when?
Ten years counted from the date of registration, renewable indefinitely for successive ten-year periods (Article 13). It counts from the date of registration (Article 13).
When should I renew a Andorran trademark, and is there a grace period?
The renewal request is made as the Regulations specify and with payment of the prescribed fees, for all or some of the goods and services. The renewal is recorded in the Trademark Register (Article 13(2) and (4)).
What is the opposition period in Andorra?
The Law we read provides for registration once the application meets the formal conditions, without a formal opposition stage. Interested persons use the court actions for invalidity and revocation (Articles 11, 26 and 27).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Andorra?
The official fee is set by the the Andorran Trademark Office (Oficina de Marques) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Andorra?
Yes. A foreign applicant must use a licensed representative in Andorra (Article 8(1)). We arrange this.
Can I assign a Andorran trademark?
The registration can be transferred and licensed, and changes are recorded in the Trademark Register. An agent or representative registering the owner's mark in its own name can be challenged (Article 18).
Can a Andorran trademark be cancelled for non-use?
The civil court may revoke a registration at the request of a person with a legitimate interest if the owner has failed, without valid reason, to put the mark to real and effective use in Andorra for the registered goods or services during the five years before the request (Article 27(1)(a)).
How can I check the status of a Andorran trademark?
Use the the Andorran Trademark Office (Oficina de Marques) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority applies for six months from the filing of the first application in a Paris Convention state, and exhibition priority runs six months from first display.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Andorran Trademark Office (Oficina de Marques) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Andorra
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Andorran deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
