The short answer
A Latvian trade mark registration is valid for 10 years from the date of the application and can be renewed for further 10-year periods. File the renewal submission in the last year, or within 6 months after expiry with an additional fee. After registration is published, interested persons have 3 months to file an opposition with the Industrial Property Board of Appeal. A mark can be revoked after 5 consecutive years without genuine use.
Trademark deadlines in Latvia at a glance
These rules come from the Trade Mark Law (Preču zīmju likums) of 6 February 2020, in force since 6 March 2020, in the English text on WIPO Lex consolidated with the amending law of 9 February 2023. The Latvian text is authoritative, and we confirm later changes and fees before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the date of the application, renewable every 10 years for a further 10-year period (Section 45). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of the application for registration (Section 45(1)). |
| When can I renew? | The proprietor files a submission for renewal during the last year of validity and pays the renewal fee. The Patent Office writes to the proprietor at least 6 months before expiry but is not responsible if the notice is not received (Section 45(3) and (4)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. If no renewal submission arrives by the end of the validity period, the registration can still be renewed within 6 months after the end on payment of the additional fee. After that the mark is removed from the Register (Section 45(5)). |
| Opposition period | Interested persons can submit a notice of opposition to the Industrial Property Board of Appeal within 3 months after the official publication of the trade mark. The period cannot be extended (Sections 43 and 46(2)). |
| Reply to an office action | The Patent Office examines the application and the applicant can answer objections within the time set, extendable by up to 3 months for a fee. A decision can be appealed under the Law on Industrial Property Institutions and Procedures (Sections 36, 42 and 46). |
| Priority claim | Convention priority applies for 6 months from the first application in a Paris Union state or TRIPS party. Exhibition priority also lasts 6 months, and neither period can be extended (Sections 33, 34 and 46). |
| Non-use | The registration may be revoked if the mark has not been genuinely used for the registered goods or services within 5 consecutive years after the registration procedure was completed, or if use has been suspended for 5 consecutive years, without due cause. Use started or resumed before the revocation request protects the mark, with a 3-month rule (Section 63). |
| Assignment | Rights can be transferred for all or part of the goods and services, with or without the business. On a submission, the document attesting to the transfer and the fee, the Patent Office enters the new proprietor in the Register and publishes it (Section 28). |
Who can register a trademark in Latvia
Any person can apply. The application needs a representation of the mark and a list of goods and services under the Nice Classification. Fees apply for the application and registration (Sections 30 and 32).
Representation. The Law lets the applicant appoint a representative, and the Register records the representative (Sections 30 and 41). Requirements for foreign applicants follow the Law on Industrial Property Institutions and Procedures, so we confirm them and file through a Latvian trade mark attorney.
Trademark registration process in Latvia
Search
- Search the the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia, through your Latvian trade mark 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.
Registration and publication
- The mark is entered in the register and the registration is published.
Opposition window
- After registration and publication, interested persons can oppose before the Industrial Property Board of Appeal within 3 months (Section 43).
Official fees are set by the the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia 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.
Latvia trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the application date.
- File the renewal submission in the last year.
- You can renew within 6 months after expiry with an additional fee.
- Use the mark in Latvia to avoid revocation after 5 consecutive years.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Latvian trademark
Transfer
Change of ownership
The Patent Office enters and publishes the new proprietor on submission, proof of transfer and the fee (Section 28).
Licence
Licensing the mark
Licences are governed by Section 29 and can be entered in the Register.
Name or address
Change of details
The proprietor must inform the Patent Office immediately. Address and representative changes are entered free of charge (Section 41(2)).
Division
Splitting a registration
An application or registration can be divided under Sections 39 and 44.
Non-use and cancellation of a Latvian trademark
The registration can be revoked for 5 consecutive years of non-use without due cause (Section 63), and invalidated on absolute or relative grounds (Section 61). Applications can go to the Industrial Property Board of Appeal or a court.
Keep dated proof of use in Latvia: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Latvia
Search the Register kept by the Patent Office and its official gazette. Registration is entered at the same time as publication, and the 3-month opposition period runs from publication (Sections 40 and 43).
Sources used
- Trade Mark Law (Preču zīmju likums) of 6 February 2020, English text on WIPO Lex consolidated up to 7 March 2023: Sections 26, 28, 29, 33, 34, 40 to 43, 45, 46, 61 and 63.
- Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia for the Register, forms and fees.
Latvia trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Latvia, and from when?
10 years from the date of the application, renewable every 10 years for a further 10-year period (Section 45). It counts from the application date (Section 45(1)).
When should I renew a Latvian trademark, and is there a grace period?
The proprietor files a submission for renewal during the last year of validity and pays the renewal fee. The Patent Office writes to the proprietor at least 6 months before expiry but is not responsible if the notice is not received (Section 45(3) and (4)).
What is the opposition period in Latvia?
Interested persons can submit a notice of opposition to the Industrial Property Board of Appeal within 3 months after the official publication of the trade mark. The period cannot be extended (Sections 43 and 46(2)).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Latvia?
The official fee is set by the the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia 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 Latvia?
Yes. We file through a Latvian trade mark attorney, and we confirm the current representation requirements for foreign applicants under the procedural law before filing.
Can I assign a Latvian trademark?
Rights can be transferred for all or part of the goods and services, with or without the business. On a submission, the document attesting to the transfer and the fee, the Patent Office enters the new proprietor in the Register and publishes it (Section 28).
Can a Latvian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
The registration may be revoked if the mark has not been genuinely used for the registered goods or services within 5 consecutive years after the registration procedure was completed, or if use has been suspended for 5 consecutive years, without due cause. Use started or resumed before the revocation request protects the mark, with a 3-month rule (Section 63).
How can I check the status of a Latvian trademark?
Use the the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Convention priority applies for 6 months from the first application in a Paris Union state or TRIPS party. Exhibition priority also lasts 6 months, and neither period can be extended (Sections 33, 34 and 46).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Latvia
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Latvian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
