The short answer
A Swedish trademark registration is valid for 10 years from the date of filing the application. Renewal covers a further 10 years counted from the expiry, and the application can be filed from 6 months before to 6 months after expiry. Sweden registers first: an opposition can be filed within 3 months of the announcement of the registration. A registration can be revoked if the holder has not made genuine use in Sweden within 5 years. A holder without a domicile in Sweden needs a representative here.
Trademark deadlines in Sweden at a glance
These periods come from the Trademarks Act (2010:1877), in the unofficial English translation on WIPO Lex (as last amended by SFS 2020:545). The authority is the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV). Where the translation and the Swedish text differ, the Swedish text prevails, so we check later amendments before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long is a registration valid? | 10 years from the date of the filing of the application for registration (Chapter 2, Article 34). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date of the application (Chapter 2, Article 34). |
| How long is a renewal? | 10 years counted from the expiry of the previous registration period (Chapter 2, Article 35). |
| When can I renew? | File the renewal application no earlier than 6 months before expiry, and the renewal fee must be paid in that period (Chapter 2, Article 35). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The application can be filed up to 6 months after expiry. Payment of the renewal fee within that respite is deemed to be an application for renewal (Chapter 2, Article 35). |
| Opposition period | 3 months from the date of the announcement of the registration. A late opposition is dismissed (Chapter 2, Article 24). |
| Non-use revocation | A registration may be revoked if the holder has not, within 5 years from the final decision on registration, or within any consecutive period of 5 years, made genuine use of the mark in Sweden for the registered goods or services, unless there are proper reasons (Chapter 3, Article 2). |
| Priority claim | An earlier application in a Paris Convention state, a WTO member, or another qualifying state gives the same filing date, if the conditions are met (Chapter 2). |
| Representative | A holder with no domicile or real and effective activity in Sweden must have a representative with a domicile in Sweden for service (Chapter 4, Article 4). |
Who can register a trademark in Sweden
Individuals and companies from any country can apply to the PRV. A registration is entered in the Trademark Register and announced, after which the opposition period starts.
Swedish representative. The PRV may invite an applicant with no domicile or established activity in Sweden to appoint a representative with a domicile in Sweden who can accept service (Chapter 4, Article 3). A holder of a registration in that position must have such a representative (Article 4).
Trademark registration process in Sweden
Search
- Search the PRV register, the EU register and international registers for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the PRV, with a representative if you are abroad.
- Claim priority if you filed abroad in the last 6 months.
Examination
- The PRV checks the application. If the requirements are met and there is no obstacle to registration, the mark is registered (Chapter 2, Article 23).
Registration and announcement
- The registration is entered in the Trademark Register and announced.
Opposition window
- Anyone can oppose within 3 months from the announcement, with the facts invoked as the ground (Chapter 2, Article 24).
Official fees are set by the PRV and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote.
Sweden trademark validity and renewal
- The registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date.
- The renewal application opens 6 months before expiry.
- It can be filed up to 6 months after expiry.
- Paying the renewal fee within the respite is deemed to be an application for renewal.
- Each renewal runs 10 years from the expiry of the previous period, and can be for all or part of the goods and services.
Count from the filing date, not from the registration date. We diarise every Swedish expiry date.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Swedish trademark
Transfer
Transfer of a mark
The Act has a chapter on transfer and licence (Chapter 6). We record the transfer so the register shows the new owner.
Alteration
Insignificant changes
At the holder's request, insignificant alterations that do not affect the overall impression can be recorded in the register, on payment of a fee (Chapter 2, Article 31).
Representative
Keeping a representative
A holder without a Swedish domicile must keep a representative in Sweden (Chapter 4, Article 4).
Name or address
Change of the holder's details
Record the change with the PRV so notices reach the right address.
Revocation and non-use of a Swedish trademark
Chapter 3, Article 2 allows revocation if the holder has not, within 5 years from the final decision on the registration, or within a consecutive period of 5 years, made genuine use of the mark in Sweden for the registered goods or services. There is no revocation if there are proper reasons for non-use. Use in a slightly different form, or use with the holder's consent, can count as use.
Keep dated proof of use in Sweden: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Sweden
Search the PRV trademark register for applications and registrations, and check the announcement date. The 3-month opposition period runs from that date.
Sources used
- Trademarks Act (2010:1877), unofficial English translation on WIPO Lex (as last amended by SFS 2020:545): Chapter 2 Articles 23, 24, 31, 34 and 35; Chapter 3 Article 2; Chapter 4 Articles 3 and 4; Chapter 6.
- Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) for fees, forms and the register.
Sweden trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Sweden, and from when?
10 years from the date of filing the application for registration (Chapter 2, Article 34).
When should I renew a Swedish trademark, and is there a grace period?
From 6 months before expiry to 6 months after expiry. Paying the fee within that period is deemed to be an application for renewal (Chapter 2, Article 35).
What is the opposition period in Sweden?
3 months from the date of the announcement of the registration (Chapter 2, Article 24).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Sweden?
The official fee is set by the PRV 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 Sweden?
Yes. If it has no domicile or established activity in Sweden it needs a representative with a domicile in Sweden (Chapter 4).
Can I assign a Swedish trademark?
Yes. The Act has a chapter on transfer and licence (Chapter 6), and we record the transfer.
Can a Swedish trademark be revoked for non-use?
Yes, if there was no genuine use in Sweden within 5 years from registration or within a consecutive period of 5 years, without proper reasons (Chapter 3, Article 2).
Does Sweden register first and publish later?
Yes. The registration is entered and announced, and the opposition period follows (Chapter 2, Articles 23 and 24).
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Yes, on an earlier application in a Paris Convention state, a WTO member or another qualifying state, if the conditions are met.
Does a Swedish trademark cover the whole EU?
No. A Swedish registration covers Sweden only. An EU trademark covers all EU member states.
Protect your brand in Sweden
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Swedish deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
