With the increase in economic connections and growing interactions with both local and international business representatives, the need for trademark protection in Armenia has significantly risen. Commercial interests are drawing applicants from numerous countries, making trademark registration a top priority.
This article will detail the terms and procedures for registering trademarks in Armenia.
Contenu
1. What can be registered as a trademark in Armenia?
2. Why can you be refused to register a trademark in Armenia?
3. The process of trademark registration in Armenia
4. Documents required for registering a trademark in Armenia
5. Trademark opposition process in Armenia
6. Costs of trademark registration in Armenia
1. What can be registered as a trademark in Armenia?
Any sign that can be represented graphically can be registered as a trademark, including:
- words, phrases, names, or slogans;
- letters or numbers;
- images, pictures, or symbols;
- three-dimensional shapes, such as product packaging;
- holograms, colors, and color combinations;
- sounds;
- any combination of the above.
It is crucial to provide a list of goods and/or services that the trademark will cover, categorized according to the Nice classification as of the application date, sorted in ascending order. The goods and services should be described in clear terms for precise identification.
2. Why can you be refused to register a trademark in Armenia?
Trademark registration can be refused on Absolute or Relative grounds.
Absolute grounds include marks that:
- lack distinctive character;
- consist solely of signs indicating the characteristics of goods/services;
- consist solely of the outward appearance of goods;
- are against public policy or principles of morality or humanism;
- mislead the public about the geographical origin, quality, nature, or producer;
- include state names, emblems, flags, or symbols of religious or cultural heritage;
Relative grounds include marks that:
- are identical to an existing trademark;
- are identical or confusingly similar to an existing trade name;
- are similar to a protected geographical indication or appellation of origin;
- include an already protected industrial design, utility model, or IP subject matter;
- reproduce protected works of literature, science, or art;
- include the name, surname, or pseudonym of a famous person;
3. The process of trademark registration in Armenia
Le trademark registration process involves the following steps:
1. Filing the application. This applies to a single trademark only.
2. Preliminary examination. The State Authorised Body registers the application, assigns a serial number, and checks if the documents meet the legal requirements within a month of filing.
3. Application publication. The application is published in the “Industrial Property” Official Bulletin for third-party comments and objections.
4. Substantive Examination. Within three months from publication, the State Authorised Body conducts a thorough examination to check for grounds for refusal. If no grounds are found, the trademark will be registered.
It’s recommended to conduct a preliminary search via international tools like Moniteur de Madrid et Base de données mondiale des marques, as well as Armenian search tools to assess risks related to the trademark.
Applications and accompanying documents should be filed in the official format.
4. Documents required for registering a trademark in Armenia
The required documents include:
- an official application form;
- receipt for the application filing fee and examination fee;
- document certifying the representative’s power;
- a priority claim request (if applicable);
- Regulations for using a collective mark (if necessary);
- Regulations for using a certification mark (if necessary);
- permission from the authorized body (if required);
- consent from the prior proprietor (if required);
Applications must be filed in Armenian. Supporting documents can be in other languages, provided translations are submitted within two months. Also, learn about trademark registration in Canada.
Trademarks can be registered on behalf of individuals, private entrepreneurs, or companies, and the required documents may vary accordingly.
A representative’s power of attorney should be submitted to the State Authorised Body along with the application or within two months.
Applicants wishing to assert priority must submit a certified copy of the first application and its Armenian translation either with the application or within two months.
5. Trademark opposition process in Armenia
Any third party can submit a written remark against the trademark registration within two months of the application’s publication, citing reasons for refusal.
The holder of an existing trademark, well-known mark, geographical indication, or other IP rights in Armenia, and other interested parties, can submit a written opposition within two months of publication.
The applicant has one month to respond after receiving the notification. The opposition process can take several months, and if the opposition is upheld, the trademark registration will be denied.
6. Costs of trademark registration in Armenia
Government fees:
| Trademark registration application for one class and preliminary examination: | 70,000 Armenian drams |
| For each additional class: | 15,000 Armenian drams |
| Convention / Exhibition Priority Request: | 10,000 Armenian drams |
| Trademark registration fee: | 50,000 Armenian drams |
| Trademark renewal for one class: | 120,000 Armenian drams |
| Trademark renewal for each additional class: | 10,000 Armenian drams |
Attorney fees:
| Document preparation and filing a trademark registration application for one class and preliminary examination: | $170 |
| For each additional class: | $30 |
The trademark registration process in Armenia through the iPNOTE platform starts at just $472, covering all government fees and document preparation. Find the best IP attorney in Armenia on iPNOTE.
7. Conclusion
A trademark significantly boosts a business’s reputation and consumer trust. In the context of economic growth, market expansion, international relations, and foreign investments, registering a trademark in Armenia provides protection against unauthorized use by third parties and is essential for business development, increased sales, and brand recognition.
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