The short answer
A trademark in Colombia is registered for 10 years counted from the grant date and renewed for further 10-year periods under Andean Decision 486. Apply for renewal in the 6 months before expiry, or in a 6-month grace period after expiry with a surcharge. After publication, anyone with a legitimate interest can oppose within 30 days. A registration can be cancelled after 3 uninterrupted years of non-use in the Andean Community.
Trademark deadlines in Colombia at a glance
Colombia applies Andean Community Decision 486, the Common Industrial Property Regime, which sets the core trademark rules for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. We used the English translation of Decision 486 and then check the national rules of Colombia, which add details such as how days are counted and the fees.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, renewable for successive 10-year periods (Decision 486, Article 152). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The grant date of the registration, not the filing date (Article 152). Grant can come well after filing, so diarise from the date on your certificate. |
| When can I renew? | Apply for renewal within the 6 months before expiry, with proof of payment of the fees. Renewal does not require proof of use and is granted on the same terms (Article 153). |
| Is there a grace period? | A 6-month grace period follows expiry, with the surcharge set by Colombia's law. The mark keeps its full validity during that period (Article 153). |
| Opposition period | 30 days from publication of the application, by any person with a legitimate interest. The office can grant one extra 30-day period to give reasons (Article 146). National rules may count business days, so we confirm the Colombia rule. |
| Reply to an office action | 30 days after notification of an opposition, with one extra 30-day period on request (Article 148). |
| Priority claim | The first application in another Member Country, or in a country linked by a treaty giving an analogous right, confers priority. The scope and effects are those of the Paris Convention, normally 6 months (Article 9). |
| Non-use | The office cancels a registration, at the request of an interested party, after an uninterrupted period of at least 3 years of non-use in any Member Country without valid reasons, counted back from the start of the cancellation proceeding. No cancellation proceeding starts until 3 years after the final decision on the registration (Article 165). |
| Assignment | A trademark can be assigned with or without the business. The assignment must be in writing and filed with the national office, or it is invalid against third parties (Article 161). |
| Licence | A licence must be in writing and registered with the national office, or it is invalid against third parties (Article 162). |
| Change of name or address | The owner must report any change of name or address to the office (Article 164). |
Who can register a trademark in Colombia
Individuals and companies from any country can apply to Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC). After the formalities check, the application is published, anyone can oppose within the opposition period, and the office then examines registrability and decides (Articles 145 to 150).
Representation. Foreign owners normally act through a local trademark attorney in Colombia. The exact requirements for an address for service and a power of attorney are in the national rules, so we confirm them before filing.
Trademark registration process in Colombia
Search
- Search the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), through your local agent.
- 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.
- Anyone with a legitimate interest can file one valid opposition within 30 days of publication (Article 146). The applicant then has 30 days to answer (Article 148).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) 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.
Colombia trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the grant date, not from the filing date.
- Apply for renewal in the 6 months before expiry.
- A 6-month grace period follows, with a surcharge, and the mark keeps its validity during it.
- Renewal does not require proof of use.
- You can reduce or limit the goods and services at renewal.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Colombian trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
Must be in writing and filed with the national office, or it is invalid against third parties (Article 161).
Licence
Licence contracts
Must be in writing and registered, or invalid against third parties (Article 162).
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Report it to the office during the life of the registration (Article 164).
Limitation
Reduce goods or services
At renewal you may limit the goods and services (Article 153).
Non-use and cancellation of a Colombian trademark
Under Article 165 of Decision 486, the national office cancels a registration at the request of an interested party after an uninterrupted period of at least 3 years of non-use, in any Member Country, without valid reasons. Non-use can also be raised as a defence in an opposition based on the unused mark. If non-use affects only some goods or services, the cancellation covers only those.
Keep dated proof of use in Colombia: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Colombia
Search the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) register and check the publication, grant and renewal dates. The 30-day opposition period runs from publication, and the 10-year term runs from the grant date.
Sources used
- Andean Community Decision 486, Common Industrial Property Regime, unofficial English translation: Articles 9, 145 to 148, 150, 152, 153, 161 to 165.
- Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) for the register, forms, fees and national rules.
Colombia trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Colombia, and from when?
10 years, renewable for successive 10-year periods (Decision 486, Article 152). It counts from the grant date (Decision 486, Article 152), not the filing date.
When should I renew a Colombian trademark, and is there a grace period?
Apply for renewal within the 6 months before expiry, with proof of payment of the fees. Renewal does not require proof of use and is granted on the same terms (Article 153).
What is the opposition period in Colombia?
30 days from publication of the application, by any person with a legitimate interest. The office can grant one extra 30-day period to give reasons (Article 146). National rules may count business days, so we confirm the Colombia rule.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Colombia?
The official fee is set by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) 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 Colombia?
Yes. Foreign owners normally act through a local trademark attorney in Colombia. We confirm the current requirements before filing.
Can I assign a Colombian trademark?
A trademark can be assigned with or without the business. The assignment must be in writing and filed with the national office, or it is invalid against third parties (Article 161).
Can a Colombian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
The office cancels a registration, at the request of an interested party, after an uninterrupted period of at least 3 years of non-use in any Member Country without valid reasons, counted back from the start of the cancellation proceeding. No cancellation proceeding starts until 3 years after the final decision on the registration (Article 165).
How can I check the status of a Colombian trademark?
Use the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
The first application in another Member Country, or in a country linked by a treaty giving an analogous right, confers priority. The scope and effects are those of the Paris Convention, normally 6 months (Article 9).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Colombia
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Colombian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
