Requirements to Register a Trademark in Colombia
To register a trademark in Colombia, it is necessary to properly identify the applicant, define the sign to be protected, determine the relevant goods or services and their classification, file the application with the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC), and pay the applicable official fees. Before filing the application, it is also highly advisable to conduct a trademark availability search to identify prior trademarks that may constitute an obstacle to registration.
Understanding these requirements before initiating the registration process helps ensure that the application is properly prepared and reduces the risk of errors concerning the identification of the trademark, its owner, or the goods and services for which protection is sought.
What are the requirements to register a trademark in Colombia?
The principal matters that should be considered when applying to register a trademark in Colombia are the following:
- Conduct a trademark availability search
Before filing a trademark application, it is advisable to determine whether previously filed or registered trademarks exist that could conflict with the proposed sign. A trademark search makes it possible to identify risks arising from identical or similar trademarks and to make a more informed assessment of the prospects for registration.
The existence of a similar trademark does not, in itself, determine the outcome of the registration proceeding. The analysis should consider, among other factors, the similarity between the signs and the relationship between the goods or services they identify.
You can learn more about our trademark registration services in Colombia.
- Identify the trademark applicant or owner
The application must identify the individual or legal entity seeking registration and intending to become the owner of the trademark. The information provided must properly identify the applicant.
- Define the trademark to be registered
The sign for which registration is sought must be precisely defined. Depending on its nature, the application must include the trademark name, graphic representation, or other elements necessary to clearly identify the sign for which protection is sought.
- Determine the goods or services and their classification
The application must specify the goods or services to be identified by the trademark. They must be classified in accordance with the Nice Classification, which organizes goods and services into different classes for trademark registration purposes.
Proper selection of the relevant classes and accurate identification of the goods or services are particularly important because they help determine the scope of the protection sought.
- Complete and file the trademark application
The trademark application must contain the information required to identify the applicant, the trademark, and the goods or services it is intended to distinguish. Where applicable, graphic elements or other information required according to the type of sign must also be submitted.
- Pay the SIC official fees
Filing a trademark application is subject to payment of the official fees established by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce. These fees may be updated by the competent authority and depend, among other factors, on the number of classes included in the application and the conditions applicable to the applicant.
For 2026, the official fees currently parameterized for online filing are:
- Trademark or commercial slogan application for the first or only class: USD 410 (aprox.)
- Each additional class included in the same application: USD 205 (aprox.)
The SIC provides for differentiated fees or reductions in certain circumstances. Accordingly, before filing an application, it is advisable to verify the official fee applicable to the particular case.
- Submit the applicable documents
The documents required depend on the characteristics of the application. Where applicable, the documents or materials necessary to establish representation, properly identify the sign, or satisfy specific requirements associated with the type of trademark application must be submitted.
Is a trademark search mandatory before filing an application?
A trademark availability search does not replace the trademark application or guarantee that registration will be granted. Nevertheless, it is a highly advisable preliminary review because it can identify potentially conflicting prior signs before the applicant incurs the costs and risks associated with filing an application.
A professional search should not be limited to identifying identical trademarks. It is also relevant to assess orthographic, phonetic, conceptual, and visual similarities, as well as the relationship between the goods or services involved.
What information should you have ready before filing the application?
As a practical matter, the following information should be clearly defined before initiating the registration process:
- Name and identification details of the applicant or prospective owner
- Name or representation of the trademark to be registered
- Goods or services to be identified by the trademark
- Applicable class or classes under the Nice Classification
- Graphic representation of the sign, where applicable
- Additional information and documents required according to the particular characteristics of the application
Properly defining these elements from the outset is important because any registration ultimately granted will be linked to the sign applied for and the goods or services covered by the application.
Do you need a lawyer to register a trademark in Colombia?
Whether an applicant must act through legal counsel depends on the applicant's legal circumstances and the particular proceeding. Regardless of whether an applicant may act directly in a particular case, specialized legal advice can be particularly valuable in assessing prior rights, properly determining the classification of goods and services, defining the appropriate protection strategy, and handling potential office actions, oppositions, or appeals during the registration process.
Trademark registration involves more than simply completing an application form. Effective protection of the sign depends, to a significant extent, on the application being properly structured from the outset.