Regarding the protection of intellectual property, Latvia has strict laws. The intellectual property laws of Latvia are founded on conventions granting copyright, trademark, industrial design, and patent protection. In Latvia, many businesses are interested in trademark protection, which necessitates registration.
Trademarks in Latvia must be registered with the Patent Office. Entrepreneurs can grant a power of attorney to a Latvian attorney who will take care of all necessary procedures and finish the process, so they are not obliged to conduct the trademark registration themselves.
The registration of a trademark in Latvia requires the submission of some papers. A trademark design, solely if it is a graphic sign, a statement describing the goods or services the trademark will stand for, the name and address of the trademark owner, and billing information are all necessary in addition to a power of attorney.
Trademark Registration Process
If no extra material is required and no opposition is filed within the allotted time, the application and registration process typically takes ten to twelve months. It takes four to five months to complete the required paperwork before you get a formal acknowledgment of receipt. The patent office will then consider your application for up to three months. If the decision is favorable, you will be required to pay the registration fee and have your application published in the official business gazette.
After publication in the trade gazette, third parties are given three months to object. The objection period will continue for four months if you apply for a trademark in Latvia through the Madrid method. If the registration process is successful, trademark protection is effective as of the date of publication in the trade journal. Initial trademark protection is good for five years. Trademark protection is granted for ten years when renewed. It is advised to seek the advice of a trademark specialist, in part due to the length of the process.
Period to Oppose
Upon payment of the applicable cost, opposition to the trademark registration may be submitted within three months after the date of trademark publication.
Validity Period
After the filing date, trademark registration in Latvia is valid for ten years. Every ten years, it may be extended for an additional ten years. Within the final year of the trademark registration’s validity, the trademark owner must submit a request for renewal. Within a grace period of six months following the expiration, a trademark may be renewed for an additional fee. It is not feasible to reinstate a trademark that has expired.
Requirement of Use
The trademark registration may be canceled if the trademark is not utilized within 5 years of the date the trademark registration process was completed or any later date.
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