Trademark registration in Lithuania falls under the Law on Trade Marks which was enabled in 2000 and enacted in 2001. Our Lithuanian company formation consultants can offer information on the legislation related to intellectual property, including trademark registration.
In Lithuania, local and foreign entrepreneurs who open companies here will usually have a representation of their brands which will help their clients to distinguish their favorite products and services from others. This is done through trademark registration, a procedure which accounts for around 2,000 successful yearly registrations completed with the National Patent Bureau.
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Types of trademarks in Lithuania
Apart from the local laws which allow both natural persons and companies in Lithuania to register their trademarks with the State Patent Bureau, the country is also a signatory member of several international agreements, among which the Nice Convention and the Vienna Agreement. Under the local and international laws, the following types of trademarks can be registered in Lithuania:
- single-class trademarks;
- multiple-class trademarks;
- international trademarks;
- community trademarks.
All trademark applications will be filed with the State Patent Bureau in Lithuania.
Filing a trademark registration application in Lithuania
Individuals or companies seeking to register trademarks in Lithuania must file the following documents with the State Patent Bureau:
- an application form which must be signed by the applicant;
- the receipt indicating the payment of the registration fee;
- a power of attorney, if the application is submitted by proxy.
The power of attorney is usually used by Lithuanian companies which must appoint a representative to complete the process. Our company registration agents in Lithuania can help companies with the registration of trademarks. We also invite you to watch a short video presenting how to register a Lithuanian trademark:
What does the trademark registration process entail after the filing of documents?
Once the applicant prepared the documentation file, paid the fee required to register a trademark in Lithuania and submitted the file, the documents will enter a formal examination, at the end of which the file is published for the opposition period.
The opposition refers to the period of time in which any other third party can oppose the registration of the said trademark based on one of the legal grounds accepted in this country. The opposition period is 3 months since the publication of the file.
Provided that there isn’t any party that opposes the registration, then the State Patent Bureau will issue the trademark registration certificate. In general, one can register a trademark in Lithuania in a period of maximum 8 months.
Please know that if you represent a foreign third party, such as an individual or company, it is necessary to be represented by a specialist in trademark law, who is registered in Lithuania. In this case, our specialists in company registration in Lithuania can be of help, by addressing our consultants who are specialized in intellectual property law.
Addressing company formation specialists can be the most advantageous option if you want to open a company in Lithuania and register a corporate trademark at the same time. Our team has the necessary expertise in addressing the institutions involved in the two procedures, and can prepare the paperwork required in each case.
What are the fees charged for trademark registration in Lithuania?
Whether you represent an individual registering his or her own trademark or you are a businessman who plans to open a Lithuanian company, during the trademark registration process, you will be asked to pay registration fees. These fees vary in accordance with the type of trademark to be registered and for any subsequent class of goods and services selected for the trademark.
In the list below, our specialists in company formation in Lithuania have prepared a short presentation on some of the fees imposed by the State Patent Bureau. For extensive information concerning the current fees, our team remains at your service:
- EUR 180 (charged for the individual trademark);
- EUR 40 (charged for the 2nd class of goods and services selected for an individual trademark – the fee is imposed for any other subsequent class);
- EUR 240 (charged for a collective trademark);
- EUR 60 (appeal fee);
- EUR 160 (opposition fee).
Renewal of trademarks in Lithuania
A Lithuanian trademark has a 10-year validity period and can be renewed upon expiry by filing a renewal application with the Lithuanian State Patent Bureau. An important aspect to be considered is that the trademark can be revoked if it has not been used for 5 consecutive years. For full information or assistance in registering a trademark, please contact our company formation advisors in Lithuania.