The short answer
An Armenian trademark is registered for 10 years from the filing date. File the renewal request in the last year, or within 6 months after expiry with an extra fee. After the application is published, anyone can send a remark and earlier-right holders can oppose within 2 months. A mark can be cancelled by a court after 5 years of non-use. Foreign applicants must use a trademark attorney.
Trademark deadlines in Armenia at a glance
These rules come from the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Trademarks (HO-59-N, in force since 1 July 2010), in the English text published by the Armenian IP office (AIPO). The law has been amended since, so we confirm the current text and fees before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the date of filing (Article 18), renewable for 10 years each time (Article 19). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date of the application (Article 18). |
| When can I renew? | File the renewal request in the last year of the current term. It is examined within one month and takes effect from the day after the previous 10 years (Article 19). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The registration can still be renewed on a request filed within 6 months after expiry if an additional state fee is paid (Article 19(4)). If it is not renewed, the mark is removed from the register (Article 53). |
| Opposition period | Any person can send a written remark within 2 months of publication on absolute grounds (Article 9). Owners of earlier marks, well-known marks and other earlier rights, and any interested person, can file an opposition within the same 2 months on relative grounds (Article 10). The opposition counts as filed only with the state fee receipt (Article 44). |
| Reply to an office action | The applicant has 2 months to fix a formal defect after preliminary examination (Article 43). Substantive examination takes 3 months from publication. A refusal can be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 3 months, and the Board's decision can be challenged in court within 6 months (Articles 45 and 47). |
| Priority claim | Convention priority applies if the application is filed within 6 months of the first application in a Paris Convention or WTO member state. Exhibition priority also lasts 6 months (Article 42). |
| Non-use | A court can revoke a registration, in whole or for some goods, if the mark has not been put to genuine use for an uninterrupted period of 5 years after registration or immediately before the claim. Use by the owner or an authorised person counts (Articles 17 and 21). |
| Assignment | Rights can be assigned in whole or in part by contract or succession. An assignment becomes effective against third parties on the date it is entered in the State Register (Article 26). Licences are registered in the same way (Article 27). |
Who can register a trademark in Armenia
Any individual or company can apply, directly or through a representative. Foreign applicants without a residence or real establishment in Armenia must use a trademark attorney. One application covers one mark (Article 40).
Representation. Individuals without permanent residence in Armenia and foreign companies without a real commercial or industrial establishment there must file through a trademark attorney or other representative (Article 40(2)). The application is in Armenian, and foreign applicants must supply translations of other-language documents within 2 months.
Trademark registration process in Armenia
Search
- Search the the State Authorised Body (Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia, AIPO) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the State Authorised Body (Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia, AIPO), through your Armenian trademark attorney.
- 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.
- After publication, anyone can send a remark and earlier-right holders can oppose within 2 months (Article 44).
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 State Authorised Body (Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia, AIPO) 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.
Armenia trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the filing date.
- File the renewal request in the last year.
- Late renewal within 6 months needs an additional fee.
- Use the mark in Armenia within 5 years to avoid revocation.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Armenian trademark
Assignment
Change of ownership
Enter the assignment in the State Register so it binds third parties (Article 26).
Licence
Licensing the mark
A licence is registered on the filing of the contract details (Article 27).
Name or address
Change of details
Notify the Authority and pay the state fee. It examines the request within one month (Article 52).
Limitation
Reduce the goods
The proprietor can reduce the list of goods and services (Article 52).
Non-use and cancellation of a Armenian trademark
A court revokes a registration for 5 years of non-use, generic use or misleading use (Article 21). A court can also declare a registration invalid on absolute or relative grounds (Articles 22 and 23). Revocation takes effect from the date the claim is filed with the court (Article 25).
Keep dated proof of use in Armenia: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Armenia
Search the State Register on the AIPO website and watch the official bulletin "Industrial Property". The 2-month remark and opposition period runs from publication of the application.
Sources used
- Law of the Republic of Armenia on Trademarks (HO-59-N, in force 1 July 2010), English text on the AIPO website: Articles 17 to 19, 21, 26, 40 to 49, 52 and 53.
- Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia (AIPO) for the register, forms and fees.
Armenia trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Armenia, and from when?
10 years from the date of filing (Article 18), renewable for 10 years each time (Article 19). It counts from the filing date (Article 18).
When should I renew a Armenian trademark, and is there a grace period?
File the renewal request in the last year of the current term. It is examined within one month and takes effect from the day after the previous 10 years (Article 19).
What is the opposition period in Armenia?
Any person can send a written remark within 2 months of publication on absolute grounds (Article 9). Owners of earlier marks, well-known marks and other earlier rights, and any interested person, can file an opposition within the same 2 months on relative grounds (Article 10). The opposition counts as filed only with the state fee receipt (Article 44).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Armenia?
The official fee is set by the the State Authorised Body (Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia, AIPO) 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 Armenia?
Yes, but a foreign applicant without an Armenian establishment must use a trademark attorney or other representative. The application is in Armenian and we arrange the translation (Article 40).
Can I assign a Armenian trademark?
Rights can be assigned in whole or in part by contract or succession. An assignment becomes effective against third parties on the date it is entered in the State Register (Article 26). Licences are registered in the same way (Article 27).
Can a Armenian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
A court can revoke a registration, in whole or for some goods, if the mark has not been put to genuine use for an uninterrupted period of 5 years after registration or immediately before the claim. Use by the owner or an authorised person counts (Articles 17 and 21).
How can I check the status of a Armenian trademark?
Use the the State Authorised Body (Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia, AIPO) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Convention priority applies if the application is filed within 6 months of the first application in a Paris Convention or WTO member state. Exhibition priority also lasts 6 months (Article 42).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the State Authorised Body (Intellectual Property Agency of Armenia, AIPO) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Armenia
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Armenian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
