A trademark registration in Colombia may be obtained in approximately 10 months when the application is not subject to office actions, oppositions, or other complications. There is, however, no single guaranteed timeframe applicable to every case. The actual duration depends on the examination conducted by the Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC), the proper preparation of the application, and any proceedings or issues that may arise during prosecution.

In Colombia, it is not mandatory to hire an attorney to file a trademark application. However, working with an attorney specializing in intellectual property can be particularly advisable to identify potential risks before filing, properly define the goods or services to be protected by the trademark, and address any legal issues that may arise during proceedings before the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC).

To register a company name as a trademark in Colombia, an application must be filed with the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC), identifying the goods or services to be covered by the sign, selecting the corresponding classes under the Nice Classification, and paying the applicable official fees. The registration of a company or its corporate name with the commercial registry does not replace trademark registration.

An important legal distinction should be made: a corporate or business name, a trade name, and a trademark are different types of distinctive signs. Trademark registration protects a sign used to distinguish specific goods or services, whereas the exclusive right to a trade name is acquired through its first use in commerce. Therefore, when a company wishes to protect as a trademark the name under which it identifies its goods or services in the marketplace, it should assess and seek trademark registration before the SIC.

In Colombia, in 2026, the official filing fee to register a trademark in the first or only class is USD 410 (aprox.) when the application is filed online. If the trademark is intended to cover goods or services in additional classes, USD 205 (aprox.) must be paid for each additional class included in the same application.

These are the official fees established by the Colombian Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC). If the applicant retains professional legal counsel, the fees charged by the attorney or law firm handling the trademark registration process must be considered separately.

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.

To determine whether a trademark is registered in Colombia, you can conduct a trademark clearance search through the Industrial Property Information System (SIPI) of the Colombian Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC). This search allows you to identify registered or pending trademarks that may be identical or similar to the trademark you intend to use or register.

Before filing a trademark application, it is advisable to conduct this search. The absence of an identical trademark does not necessarily mean that the sign is available for registration: similar trademarks and the goods or services they identify must also be analyzed, since certain similarities may give rise to a likelihood of confusion or association.