Trademark registration Ukraine

Today, the European Union is Ukraine’s largest trading partner. A brand name in Ukraine is mandatory if you want to claim the exclusive rights. The country has a first-to-file jurisdiction. Only in very rare cases can an unregistered trademark be protected. Applications to register a trademark in Ukraine must be submitted to the UIPV. Applications containing multiple classes are allowed. For foreign entrepreneurs it is necessary to have the procedure carried out by a registered trademark agent and to provide a power of attorney.

Organizations that do not register their brand name in Ukraine risk not only trademark infringement, but also the withdrawal of their product or service from the market. In other words, if you don’t register your trademark, competitors can offer the same products or services under your brand name, but at lower prices. Moreover, they can also register your trademark and use it against you. Not registering a brand name in Ukraine can therefore lead to a significantly lower turnover and even loss of your trademark.

In Ukraine, there is a fairly solid legal basis in most areas of intellectual property. However, there is a lack of enforcement in the country. This means that as an entrepreneur, even after successfully registering a brand name in Ukraine, you must remain alert to third parties who may be infringing.

Did you manage to register a trademark in Ukraine? Although you don’t have to use it immediately before registration and right after, your trademark should not remain unused for more than five years. After this period, the risk of cancellation arises. The UIPV does not decide to do this on its own, but only after reviewing the objection of third parties on the basis of inactivity. A registered trademark is valid in Ukraine for ten years, starting from the date of application. Extension can be requested from six months before the end date and also applies for ten years. There is a grace period of six months.

If you want to apply for a trademark in Ukraine, you will need various documents. One of the most important of these is the list of goods and/or services, according to the relevant Nice Classification. In the case of an urgent application, the appropriate document must be sent along. The power of attorney, signed by the authorized person and on your behalf as an applicant, should also be included. When applying for a trademark in Ukraine, an image and a description of the trademark must also be supplied.