The short answer
Under the Liechtenstein Trade Marks Law (as amended by the law of 19 November 1998), registration is valid for ten years from the date of its application and is extended by ten years each time. The renewal application is submitted in the last twelve months before the end of validity and no later than six months after it, with an additional fee after expiry. A mark not used for five continuous years loses its protection. A proprietor without a presence in Liechtenstein must appoint a lawyer or patent agent there.
Trademark deadlines in Liechtenstein at a glance
These rules come from the Liechtenstein Trade Marks Law (amended by the law of 19 November 1998, in force from 18 January 1999), in the English text on WIPO Lex. The law has been amended since, including a consolidated version to 2023, so we confirm the current wording and fees with the Office of National Economy before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | Ten years from the date of application, extended by ten years each time on renewal (Article 10). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of the application (Article 10(1)). |
| When can I renew? | The extension is subject to a proper application and payment of the renewal fee. The application goes to the Office of National Economy within the last twelve months before the end of validity (Article 10(2) and (3)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The renewal application can be submitted up to six months after the end of validity, with an additional fee (Article 10(3) and (4)). |
| Opposition period | The text we read does not set a formal opposition period. The relative prohibiting grounds in Article 3 are enforced through the courts, and a claim by the proprietor of an earlier mark lapses two years after the publication of the registration in the cases the Law sets. We confirm the current opposition rules with the Office before we advise. |
| Reply to an office action | If the Office rejects an application because a time limit was missed, the applicant can ask for further processing within two months of being told, and no later than six months after the default, paying the fee (Article 38). |
| Priority claim | Priority under the Paris Convention and exhibition priority are available, claimed within six months (Articles 6 to 8). |
| Non-use | If the proprietor fails to use the mark for the registered goods or services for a continuous period of five years from its registration, the proprietor cannot assert its continued use unless there are valid reasons. Use that starts or resumes after five years restores the original priority if no one else has claimed the mark. Use in the EEA or Switzerland also counts, and the person claiming non-use must prove it (Articles 11 and 12). |
| Assignment | A trade mark can be assigned, licensed and pledged, and the transaction is recorded in the register (Articles 17 to 20). |
Who can register a trademark in Liechtenstein
Any person can apply to the Office of National Economy. Registration of a mark in the name of an agent or representative without the proprietor's consent is not protected.
Representation. A proprietor with no residence, registered office or branch in Liechtenstein can participate in administrative and legal proceedings only by appointing a lawyer or a patent agent in Liechtenstein (Article 39).
Trademark registration process in Liechtenstein
Search
- Search the the Office of National Economy of Liechtenstein (Amt für Volkswirtschaft) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Office of National Economy of Liechtenstein (Amt für Volkswirtschaft), through a Liechtenstein lawyer or patent 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.
- The Office registers marks that meet the legal conditions. Owners of earlier rights act under the relative prohibiting reasons and the court provisions.
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 Office of National Economy of Liechtenstein (Amt für Volkswirtschaft) 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.
Liechtenstein trademark validity and renewal
- Registration is valid for ten years from the application date.
- Renew in the last twelve months, or within six months after with an extra fee.
- Use in the EEA or Switzerland counts as use.
- Use the mark to avoid losing protection after five continuous years.
Diarise the twelve-month renewal window from the application date.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Liechtenstein trademark
Assignment
Recorded
Assignment is dealt with in Article 17.
Division
Possible
An application or entry can be split (Article 18).
Licence
Recorded
Licences are dealt with in Article 19.
Further processing
Time limits
Further processing after a missed time limit is possible within set periods (Article 38).
Non-use and cancellation of a Liechtenstein trademark
The proprietor cannot rely on a mark that has not been used for five continuous years from registration without valid reasons (Article 12). Cancellation and invalidity are governed by the Law's provisions on lapse and nullity.
Keep dated proof of use in Liechtenstein: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Liechtenstein
Search the Liechtenstein trade mark register at the Office of National Economy for the application, registration and renewal dates.
Sources used
- Trade Marks Law of Liechtenstein (amended by the law of 19 November 1998), English text on WIPO Lex: Articles 10 to 12, 17 to 19, 38 and 39.
- The Office of National Economy for the current text, fees and forms.
Liechtenstein trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Liechtenstein, and from when?
Ten years from the date of application, extended by ten years each time on renewal (Article 10). It counts from the date of application (Article 10).
When should I renew a Liechtenstein trademark, and is there a grace period?
The extension is subject to a proper application and payment of the renewal fee. The application goes to the Office of National Economy within the last twelve months before the end of validity (Article 10(2) and (3)).
What is the opposition period in Liechtenstein?
The text we read does not set a formal opposition period. The relative prohibiting grounds in Article 3 are enforced through the courts, and a claim by the proprietor of an earlier mark lapses two years after the publication of the registration in the cases the Law sets. We confirm the current opposition rules with the Office before we advise.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Liechtenstein?
The official fee is set by the the Office of National Economy of Liechtenstein (Amt für Volkswirtschaft) 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 Liechtenstein?
Yes. A foreign proprietor can register a mark in Liechtenstein but must appoint a lawyer or patent agent in Liechtenstein (Article 39). We arrange this.
Can I assign a Liechtenstein trademark?
A trade mark can be assigned, licensed and pledged, and the transaction is recorded in the register (Articles 17 to 20).
Can a Liechtenstein trademark be cancelled for non-use?
If the proprietor fails to use the mark for the registered goods or services for a continuous period of five years from its registration, the proprietor cannot assert its continued use unless there are valid reasons. Use that starts or resumes after five years restores the original priority if no one else has claimed the mark. Use in the EEA or Switzerland also counts, and the person claiming non-use must prove it (Articles 11 and 12).
How can I check the status of a Liechtenstein trademark?
Use the the Office of National Economy of Liechtenstein (Amt für Volkswirtschaft) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority under the Paris Convention and exhibition priority are available, claimed within six months (Articles 6 to 8).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Office of National Economy of Liechtenstein (Amt für Volkswirtschaft) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Liechtenstein
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Liechtenstein deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
