The short answer
Under Law No. 8 of 2007 on Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs and Models, the protection period of a registered mark is ten years from the date of filing, renewable for equal periods in the last year of protection. A six-month grace period with delay fees follows expiry. Objections to a published application are filed within ninety days, and the court can cancel a mark for three years of non-use.
Trademark deadlines in Syria at a glance
These rules come from Law No. 8 of 2007 on Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs and Models, approved on 12 March 2007, in the English text on WIPO Lex. Fees and procedures are in the executive regulations, and current conditions in Syria and international sanctions can affect how filings are handled, so we confirm the position before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | Ten years from the date of filing, expiring ten years after the last day of the month in which the application was submitted, renewable for equal periods (Article 32). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of filing the registration application; protection expires ten years after the last day of the month of filing (Article 32). |
| When can I renew? | The owner or the legal representative requests renewal during the last year of the protection period, paying the prescribed fees (Article 32). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The owner is granted a grace period of six months to renew if delay fees are paid, and the renewal takes effect from the expiry of the previous period. If the mark is not renewed, the registration is considered null because the protection period expired (Article 33). |
| Opposition period | Every interested person can object in writing to the application at the Directorate, after paying the fee, within ninety days of publication. The Directorate sends the applicant a copy within thirty days and the applicant submits a justified reply within thirty days (Articles 25 to 27). |
| Reply to an office action | A decision of the Directorate can be objected to before the competent committee within thirty days of notification, and applicants have a set period such as three months to complete missing steps. |
| Priority claim | Priority from an earlier application in a Paris Convention state is recognised, and the applicant must submit the priority documents within the period in the regulations. We confirm the steps when we file. |
| Non-use | On the request of any concerned party, the competent court can cancel a registration if the mark has not been seriously used for three years. The owner bears the burden of proving use, and use started or resumed after the three years but before the cancellation request prevents cancellation unless it began within three months of learning of the request (Article 8). |
| Assignment | The mark can be transferred or licensed, and the transaction is registered with the Directorate. A cancelled or unrenewed mark can be re-registered in its owner's name within the period the Law sets. |
Who can register a trademark in Syria
A person or entity that wants to use a mark can apply to the Directorate. The Law also covers collective marks, geographical indications and industrial designs.
Representation. We act as your agent or legal representative before the Directorate. The Law refers to the applicant's agent or legal representative throughout, and we confirm any local representation rule before filing.
Trademark registration process in Syria
Search
- Search the the Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property Protection of Syria records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property Protection of Syria, through your Syrian 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.
- After publication in the property protection journal, any interested person can object in writing within ninety days. The applicant replies within thirty days (Articles 25 and 26).
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 Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property Protection of Syria 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.
Syria trademark validity and renewal
- Protection lasts ten years from the filing date.
- Renew in the last year of protection.
- A six-month grace period costs delay fees.
- Use the mark seriously to avoid cancellation after three years.
Diarise the last year from the filing date.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Syrian trademark
Renewal
Equal periods
Renewals are for equal periods and take effect from the expiry date (Article 33).
Re-registration
3 years
A cancelled or unrenewed mark can be re-registered by its owner within three years of the Law's rule.
Court cancellation
Non-use
The court decides cancellation for non-use (Article 8).
Nullity
5-year limit
A nullity action is not accepted if the mark was registered in good faith and allowed to be used for five years.
Non-use and cancellation of a Syrian trademark
The competent court can cancel a mark on the request of a concerned party if it has not been seriously used for three years (Article 8). A nullity suit is not accepted where the mark was registered in good faith and has been used for five years.
Keep dated proof of use in Syria: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Syria
Ask the Directorate for the register entry and the property protection journal for publication, registration and renewal dates.
Sources used
- Law No. 8 of 2007 on Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs and Models (Syria), English text on WIPO Lex: Articles 8, 25 to 27, 32 and 33.
- The Directorate for the executive regulations, fees and forms.
Syria trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Syria, and from when?
Ten years from the date of filing, expiring ten years after the last day of the month in which the application was submitted, renewable for equal periods (Article 32). It counts from the filing date (Article 32).
When should I renew a Syrian trademark, and is there a grace period?
The owner or the legal representative requests renewal during the last year of the protection period, paying the prescribed fees (Article 32).
What is the opposition period in Syria?
Every interested person can object in writing to the application at the Directorate, after paying the fee, within ninety days of publication. The Directorate sends the applicant a copy within thirty days and the applicant submits a justified reply within thirty days (Articles 25 to 27).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Syria?
The official fee is set by the the Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property Protection of Syria 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 Syria?
Yes. A foreign company can apply for a mark in Syria, normally through a Syrian agent. Sanctions and local conditions can affect this, so we confirm what is possible before we file.
Can I assign a Syrian trademark?
The mark can be transferred or licensed, and the transaction is registered with the Directorate. A cancelled or unrenewed mark can be re-registered in its owner's name within the period the Law sets.
Can a Syrian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
On the request of any concerned party, the competent court can cancel a registration if the mark has not been seriously used for three years. The owner bears the burden of proving use, and use started or resumed after the three years but before the cancellation request prevents cancellation unless it began within three months of learning of the request (Article 8).
How can I check the status of a Syrian trademark?
Use the the Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property Protection of Syria register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority from an earlier application in a Paris Convention state is recognised, and the applicant must submit the priority documents within the period in the regulations. We confirm the steps when we file.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property Protection of Syria so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Syria
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Syrian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
