The short answer
A Ukrainian trademark certificate is valid for 10 years from the filing date and is extended every 10 years. The renewal fee is due in the last six months of the period, or within 6 months after expiry with a 50% surcharge. Anyone can oppose within 3 months of publication in the Bulletin. A court can end a certificate after 5 years of non-use. Foreign applicants must act through a registered Ukrainian patent attorney.
Trademark deadlines in Ukraine at a glance
These rules come from the Law of Ukraine on Protection of Rights to Marks for Goods and Services, in the unofficial English translation published by the Ukrainian office as amended in 2020 (Law No. 815-IX, which introduced opposition). WIPO Lex lists a later consolidated text, so we confirm the current version and fees with NIPO before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the date of filing the application with NIPO, extended by NIPO at the holder's request every 10 years (Article 5(3)). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of filing the application with NIPO (Article 5(3)). |
| When can I renew? | The request to extend the certificate and the renewal fee must be received by NIPO within the last six months of the period of validity (Article 18(2)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. The fee can be paid and the payment document submitted within six months after the expiry of that period, with the fee increased by 50%. If the fee is not paid, the certificate ceases from the first day of the period it was not paid for. Only the former holder can re-register the mark within 2 years (Articles 18(2) and 22). |
| Opposition period | Within 3 months from the publication in the Bulletin of the application, any person can file a grounded opposition to NIPO on the grounds of non-compliance with the conditions for protection, with the fee. The applicant has 2 months to respond. For international registrations the applicant's period is 3 months (Article 10(8)). |
| Reply to an office action | The applicant submits additional materials within 2 months of a request, which can be extended by up to six months on a request and fee. Decisions of NIPO can be appealed to the Appeals Chamber (Articles 10 and 15). |
| Priority claim | Convention priority is based on an earlier application, and exhibition priority on a first display, provided NIPO receives the application within 6 months. The priority claim, with a copy of the earlier application and its Ukrainian translation, is filed within 3 months of the filing date (Article 9). |
| Non-use | If the mark is not used in Ukraine continuously within 5 years from the publication of the grant, or use has been suspended for 5 continuous years, any person can ask the court for early cessation of the certificate, in whole or in part. The holder can give valid reasons, and use by a licensee counts. Use that starts or resumes before the action protects the mark, with a 3-month rule (Article 18(4)). |
| Assignment | The holder can transfer the right to the mark to any person, in whole or for some goods and services, by a written agreement signed by the parties. The assignment or licence can be notified to the public by publication in the Bulletin and recorded in the Register (Article 16(7) to (9)). |
Who can register a trademark in Ukraine
Foreign persons have the same rights under the Law as Ukrainian persons under international agreements (Article 4(1)). The application is filed with NIPO, directly or through a representative (Article 7).
Representation. Foreigners and legal entities with a permanent residence or location outside Ukraine act in relations with NIPO through patent attorneys (representatives on intellectual property matters) registered under the approved regulations (Article 4(2)).
Trademark registration process in Ukraine
Search
- Search the the National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine (NIPO, Ukrnipi) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine (NIPO, Ukrnipi), through your Ukrainian patent 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.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After the formalities examination, the application is published in the Bulletin and any person can oppose within 3 months (Article 10(8)).
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 National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine (NIPO, Ukrnipi) 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.
Ukraine trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the filing date.
- Pay the renewal fee in the last 6 months of the period.
- A 6-month late period applies with a 50% surcharge.
- Use the mark in Ukraine to avoid court-ordered cessation after 5 years.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Ukrainian trademark
Assignment
Change of ownership
Written agreement signed by the parties, recorded in the Register and published in the Bulletin (Article 16).
Licence
Licensing the mark
The agreement states the ways of use, territory and term, and requires quality control by the holder (Article 16(8)).
Renunciation
Giving up the certificate
The holder can renounce in whole or in part, effective on publication (Article 18(1)).
Re-registration
After cessation
Only the former holder can re-register within 2 years of cessation for non-payment (Article 22).
Non-use and cancellation of a Ukrainian trademark
Under Article 18(3) and (4), a court can end a certificate for becoming a generic sign, for misleading use, or for 5 years of non-use. Article 19 deals with invalidation of a certificate.
Keep dated proof of use in Ukraine: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Ukraine
Search the NIPO register and its Bulletin, where applications and certificates are published. The 3-month opposition period runs from publication.
Sources used
- Law of Ukraine on Protection of Rights to Marks for Goods and Services, unofficial English translation on the Ukrainian office website, as amended by Law No. 815-IX of 21 July 2020: Articles 4, 5, 9, 10, 16, 18 and 22.
- National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine for the register, forms and fees.
Ukraine trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Ukraine, and from when?
10 years from the date of filing the application with NIPO, extended by NIPO at the holder's request every 10 years (Article 5(3)). It counts from the filing date (Article 5(3)).
When should I renew a Ukrainian trademark, and is there a grace period?
The request to extend the certificate and the renewal fee must be received by NIPO within the last six months of the period of validity (Article 18(2)).
What is the opposition period in Ukraine?
Within 3 months from the publication in the Bulletin of the application, any person can file a grounded opposition to NIPO on the grounds of non-compliance with the conditions for protection, with the fee. The applicant has 2 months to respond. For international registrations the applicant's period is 3 months (Article 10(8)).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Ukraine?
The official fee is set by the the National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine (NIPO, Ukrnipi) 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 Ukraine?
Yes, but foreign applicants must act through a registered Ukrainian patent attorney (Article 4(2)). We arrange this and the Ukrainian translations.
Can I assign a Ukrainian trademark?
The holder can transfer the right to the mark to any person, in whole or for some goods and services, by a written agreement signed by the parties. The assignment or licence can be notified to the public by publication in the Bulletin and recorded in the Register (Article 16(7) to (9)).
Can a Ukrainian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
If the mark is not used in Ukraine continuously within 5 years from the publication of the grant, or use has been suspended for 5 continuous years, any person can ask the court for early cessation of the certificate, in whole or in part. The holder can give valid reasons, and use by a licensee counts. Use that starts or resumes before the action protects the mark, with a 3-month rule (Article 18(4)).
How can I check the status of a Ukrainian trademark?
Use the the National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine (NIPO, Ukrnipi) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Convention priority is based on an earlier application, and exhibition priority on a first display, provided NIPO receives the application within 6 months. The priority claim, with a copy of the earlier application and its Ukrainian translation, is filed within 3 months of the filing date (Article 9).
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the National Intellectual Property Office of Ukraine (NIPO, Ukrnipi) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Ukraine
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Ukrainian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
