The short answer
A Uruguayan trademark registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for equal periods. File the renewal request in the 6 months before expiry, or use the 6-month grace period after it. After publication in the Official Bulletin, owners of earlier marks have only 30 calendar days to oppose. Use is mandatory, and a mark can be cancelled after 5 consecutive years without use.
Trademark deadlines in Uruguay at a glance
These rules come from Law No. 17.011 of 25 September 1998 on Trademarks, as published on the official IMPO legal database with its amendments up to 2023. The text is in Spanish. We confirm current fees and the DNPI practice before filing.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, renewable indefinitely for equal periods (Article 18). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The registration (grant), according to the text we reviewed. The Law does not count the term from the filing date, so we diarise from the date on your certificate. |
| When can I renew? | Renewal is requested by the owner or its representative within the six months before the registration expires. Classes and goods not claimed at renewal are treated as waived (Article 18). Use does not have to be proven for renewal (Article 19). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. A 6-month grace period runs from the day after expiry (Article 18). |
| Opposition period | Owners of registered marks or marks in process can oppose an application within 30 calendar days, counted from the day after publication in the Boletín de la Propiedad Industrial. Deadlines granted to parties are peremptory and cannot be extended (Articles 23 and 36). |
| Reply to an office action | The DNPI can object to or reject an application on its own initiative, and it decides to grant or refuse (Articles 21, 22 and 34). Time limits for parties are strict and cannot be extended unless the regulations say so (Article 36). |
| Priority claim | The Law has no priority article. Uruguay is a Paris Convention member, so the 6-month convention priority applies through the treaty. We confirm the DNPI requirements for the priority claim. |
| Non-use | Use of a registered mark is mandatory (Article 19). The registration can be cancelled if the mark is not used within 5 consecutive years after the grant or renewal, or if use is interrupted for more than 5 consecutive years. Force majeure is a defence, the owner bears the burden of proving use, and only a party with a direct, personal and legitimate interest can request cancellation. |
| Assignment | Rights can pass by act between living persons, by will, by enforced execution or by inheritance. A transfer must be in writing and be recorded to affect third parties, and the assignor must declare any identical or similar marks it holds (Articles 16 and 17). |
Who can register a trademark in Uruguay
Individuals and companies from any country can apply. Owners of foreign-registered marks, their duly authorised agents or persons shown to be authorised can file. The DNPI decides on the application after publication and any opposition (Articles 10 and 34).
Representation. We found no domicile requirement for foreign applicants in the Law. A party can act itself or through registered agents or attorneys with sufficient powers, and agents need a legal domicile (Articles 90 and 93). We file through a Uruguayan trademark agent.
Trademark registration process in Uruguay
Search
- Search the the National Directorate of Industrial Property (Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial, DNPI) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the National Directorate of Industrial Property (Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial, DNPI), through your Uruguayan trademark 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 Official Bulletin, owners of earlier marks have 30 calendar days to oppose (Article 23).
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 Directorate of Industrial Property (Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial, DNPI) 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.
Uruguay trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the registration (grant) date.
- File the renewal request in the 6 months before expiry.
- A 6-month grace period follows expiry.
- Use the mark in Uruguay to avoid cancellation after 5 consecutive years.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Uruguayan trademark
Assignment
Change of ownership
It must be in writing and recorded to affect third parties (Article 16).
Name or domicile
Change of details
Record the change with the DNPI and publish it in the Bulletin (Article 15).
Licence
Licensing the mark
The Bulletin publishes extracts of licences (Article 80).
Disclosure on transfer
Related marks
The assignor must declare any identical or similar marks it holds (Article 17).
Non-use and cancellation of a Uruguayan trademark
Under Article 19, the registration can be cancelled for 5 consecutive years of non-use, with force majeure as a defence. The DNPI decides on request by a party with a direct, personal and legitimate interest. Owners can also seek cancellation of registered marks on other grounds in the Law (Article 23).
Keep dated proof of use in Uruguay: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Uruguay
Search the trademark database of the DNPI and the Boletín de la Propiedad Industrial, where applications, resolutions and licence extracts are published (Article 80). The 30-day opposition period runs from publication.
Sources used
- Law No. 17.011 of 25 September 1998 on Trademarks, text published on the IMPO legal database (Uruguay), with amendments up to Law No. 20.212 of 2023: Articles 10, 15 to 19, 21 to 23, 34, 36, 80, 90 and 93.
- Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial (DNPI) for forms, fees and the register.
Uruguay trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Uruguay, and from when?
10 years, renewable indefinitely for equal periods (Article 18). It counts from the registration (grant) date, so use the certificate date (Article 18).
When should I renew a Uruguayan trademark, and is there a grace period?
Renewal is requested by the owner or its representative within the six months before the registration expires. Classes and goods not claimed at renewal are treated as waived (Article 18). Use does not have to be proven for renewal (Article 19).
What is the opposition period in Uruguay?
Owners of registered marks or marks in process can oppose an application within 30 calendar days, counted from the day after publication in the Boletín de la Propiedad Industrial. Deadlines granted to parties are peremptory and cannot be extended (Articles 23 and 36).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Uruguay?
The official fee is set by the the National Directorate of Industrial Property (Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial, DNPI) 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 Uruguay?
Yes. A foreign owner can file directly or through a registered agent or attorney. We file through a Uruguayan trademark agent, who handles the Spanish-language procedure.
Can I assign a Uruguayan trademark?
Rights can pass by act between living persons, by will, by enforced execution or by inheritance. A transfer must be in writing and be recorded to affect third parties, and the assignor must declare any identical or similar marks it holds (Articles 16 and 17).
Can a Uruguayan trademark be cancelled for non-use?
Use of a registered mark is mandatory (Article 19). The registration can be cancelled if the mark is not used within 5 consecutive years after the grant or renewal, or if use is interrupted for more than 5 consecutive years. Force majeure is a defence, the owner bears the burden of proving use, and only a party with a direct, personal and legitimate interest can request cancellation.
How can I check the status of a Uruguayan trademark?
Use the the National Directorate of Industrial Property (Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial, DNPI) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
The Law has no priority article. Uruguay is a Paris Convention member, so the 6-month convention priority applies through the treaty. We confirm the DNPI requirements for the priority claim.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the National Directorate of Industrial Property (Dirección Nacional de la Propiedad Industrial, DNPI) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Uruguay
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Uruguayan deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
