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We handle the complete process for your Trademark Sri Lanka right here in Chennai Office. Get certified quickly and legally with our expert local team.
Professional Fee: ₹8,099 (i-Pro) | Foreign Govt Fee: LKR 4,000 (at actuals) | Total: ₹9,219 (incl. govt fees, FX at actuals)
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Trademark registration in Sri Lanka is the vital legal process to safeguard your brand name, logo, or tagline in one of India's closest trading partners. Managed by the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) of Sri Lanka under the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, a Sri Lankan trademark registration grants exclusive rights to the owner across the country. For Indian companies in sectors like apparel, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, construction, and tea, securing trademark protection in Sri Lanka is essential to prevent local entities from registering confusingly similar marks and blocking market entry. Sri Lanka follows a first-to-file system, meaning priority is given to the applicant who files first, making early registration a priority for exporting businesses. Sri Lanka is a member of the Paris Convention, which allows Indian businesses to claim priority within six months of their Indian filing. However, Sri Lanka is not a member of the Madrid Protocol, which means that international brand owners must file a direct national application through a registered local agent or attorney in Sri Lanka. NIPO conducts a thorough examination of both absolute grounds (descriptiveness) and relative grounds (conflicts with prior registrations). Once accepted, the mark is published in the Government Gazette for a three-month opposition window. A registered Sri Lankan trademark is valid for ten years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for subsequent ten-year terms. The owner is expected to use the mark in Sri Lankan commerce, and third parties can apply for cancellation on grounds of non-use if the mark remains unused for five consecutive years without valid justification. Securing a Sri Lankan trademark provides a solid legal shield that enables you to take direct infringement action and license your brand. Additionally, having a registered trademark in Sri Lanka facilitates smooth customs clearance and prevents infringing goods or parallel imports from entering the local market, giving you complete control over your distribution channels. It also serves as prime evidence of ownership in local commercial disputes, resolving conflicts without lengthy litigation.
Transparent, all-inclusive – no hidden line items.
Inclusive of professional + estimated govt fee
I-Pro specialist handling, drafting & filing
Statutory fee, passed through at cost
Professional Fee: ₹8,099 onwards (i-Pro) | Foreign Govt Fee: LKR 4,000 (at actuals) | Total: ₹9,219 (incl. govt fees, FX at actuals)
The starting fee of ₹9,219 covers specialist consultation, document preparation, the government filing fee, and tracking until you receive the final certificate. Additional government fees may apply for objections, renewals, or expedited processing.
Typical turnaround at I-Pro Solutions is Filing in 7–10 business days; Registration takes 6–18 months, from the moment I-Pro Solutions receives all your documents and information. Complex cases or government delays can extend this; your specialist will flag any risks early.
Most filings require identity proof (PAN/Aadhaar/passport), address proof, business registration documents, and (for IP filings) examples of use. An I-Pro Solutions specialist will send a tailored checklist within 24 hours of starting.
If a filing is rejected due to an error by I-Pro Solutions, I-Pro Solutions will refile at no extra cost and refund the service fee. If the rejection is due to information you provided, I-Pro Solutions will work with you to fix and refile at a discounted fee.
It depends on the jurisdiction and your overall filing strategy. For Madrid Protocol members, the international route is often more cost-effective when filing in 3 or more countries. For non-Madrid countries, or when you need protection in only one or two countries, a direct national filing may be simpler and faster. I-Pro Solutions team will recommend the optimal route based on your specific target markets and budget.
Gather these documents for your Chennai Office application.
The typical timeline is 6-12 months from filing, assuming no objections or opposition. However, actual timelines vary based on the trademark office's workload, the complexity of the mark, and whether any third party files an opposition. I-Pro Solutions local counsel in each jurisdiction monitors your application and keeps you updated at every stage. Your brand deserves global protection. Start your international trademark registration today and secure your mark in the markets that matter.
Yes. Like most jurisdictions, Sri Lanka uses the Nice Classification system, which categorizes goods and services into 45 distinct classes (Classes 1-34 for physical goods and Classes 35-45 for services). When filing an application in Sri Lanka with the NIPO, you must specify the classes that cover your business activities. Filing in multiple classes requires paying additional government and professional fees per class, so it is highly recommended to perform a classification audit before submission.
Yes, you can. If you choose the direct national filing route, your application with the NIPO in Sri Lanka is completely independent of your Indian filings. You do not need a pre-existing trademark in India. However, if you choose the Madrid Protocol route (an international system), a "basic application" or registration in India is a mandatory statutory prerequisite. I-Pro Solutions international IP team will evaluate your business model to determine whether a direct national filing or a Madrid Protocol designation is the most cost-effective approach for you.
A trademark registration in Sri Lanka is valid for a period of ten (10) years from the date of filing. Unlike patents which expire permanently, trademark protection can be renewed indefinitely every ten years by filing a statutory renewal application and paying the prescribed government fees to the NIPO. It is critical to monitor renewal deadlines, as failing to renew within the statutory window can lead to trademark abandonment and the loss of your exclusive brand rights.
The TM (Trademark) symbol is used to indicate that you claim common law rights in a brand name, logo, or design, and it can be used even if your application is still pending with the NIPO. The ® (Registered) symbol indicates that your trademark has been officially approved and registered in Sri Lanka. It is a legal offense in Sri Lanka to use the ® symbol on packaging or advertising before your registration certificate is formally issued.
Yes, conducting a trademark search is highly recommended and considered a critical best practice. A comprehensive search in Sri Lanka identifies any identical or confusingly similar registered marks or pending applications in the NIPO database. Identifying potential conflicts early prevents your application from being rejected or opposed, saving your business thousands of dollars in non-refundable government fees and legal disputes.
If the trademark examiner at the NIPO identifies any issues—such as lack of distinctiveness, descriptive terms, or conflicts with pre-existing marks—they will issue an official Objection (often called an Office Action). You are required to submit a written response addressing the examiner's concerns within a strict statutory deadline (typically 1 to 6 months depending on the country). Failure to respond in time results in the abandonment of your application. I-Pro Solutions legal team coordinates with local counsel to draft and file strong responses to overcome these objections.
Yes, a registered trademark is a valuable intellectual property asset that can be assigned, licensed, or sold to another entity. To execute a transfer, you must draft a formal Trademark Assignment Agreement or Licensing Agreement and record the transaction with the NIPO along with the prescribed statutory fees. Recording the transfer ensures that the public registry reflects the new ownership, which is essential for legal enforcement and corporate transactions.
After your application passes the initial examination by the NIPO, it is published in the official Trademark Journal for public review. This opens a statutory "opposition window" (typically 2 to 3 months) during which any third party who believes your mark conflicts with their rights can file a formal opposition. If an opposition is filed, both parties must submit evidence and arguments in a quasi-judicial proceeding. I-Pro Solutions experienced IP litigators handle the defense of your trademark throughout the opposition phase.
Securing a registered trademark in Sri Lanka grants you the exclusive legal right to use your brand name and logo in that jurisdiction, protecting your business against counterfeiters and unauthorized competitors. It also enables you to enforce your rights in local courts, list on major e-commerce brand registries (like Amazon Brand Registry), establish franchise networks, and significantly increases the valuation of your corporate brand asset.
Yes, most jurisdictions, including Sri Lanka, allow the registration of non-traditional trademarks such as slogans, short phrases, sound marks, and even specific color combinations, provided they are distinctive and capable of distinguishing your goods or services from others. The application must include a clear graphical representation or audio file (for sounds) and demonstrate that the mark serves as a unique source identifier for your business.