Trademark Registration in the Philippines

• Governing Law: Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293)
• Registering Office: Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)
• Priority System: First-to-file
• Classification: Nice Classification (45 classes)
• Filing Routes: Direct online filing via IPOPHL eTMfile, or a Madrid Protocol designation
• Foreign Applicants: Foreign applicants without a local address must appoint a Philippine resident agent
• Government Filing Fees:
  • Small Entity: PHP 1,200 per class
  • Big Entity: PHP 2,592 per class
  • Publication fee paid at filing: PHP 900 (small) / PHP 960 (big), plus 1% Legal Research Fund
• Office Action Response: 2 months from notice date; extendable by 2 months
• Opposition Window: 30 days from publication in the IPOPHL e-Gazette
• Average Timeline: 8 to 12 months for applications without objections
• Validity: 10 years from registration date, renewable for 10-year periods
• Proof of Use (DAU): Due in the 3rd year from filing, the 5th year from registration, at renewal, and the 5th year after renewal

• First-to-File Protection: The first party to file gets the rights. Filing early stops competitors or former distributors from taking your name.
• Exclusive Rights: Registration grants sole ownership to use the mark across the country for your listed goods and services.
• Stop Counterfeits: A registered mark allows border seizures by customs and supports takedown requests on marketplaces like Shopee and Lazada.
• Commercial Asset: A registration allows you to license, franchise, or sell the brand to partners and investors.

Find out if your brand name is available before you spend on filing fees.

Abou Naja IP provides complete trademark services in the Philippines:

• Trademark Search and Clearance

Our dedicated IP team search the IPOPHL register for identical and confusingly similar marks. You receive a risk assessment before paying government fees.

• Trademark Filing with IPOPHL

We draft goods and services descriptions, classify them under Nice Classification, submit applications via eTMfile, and pay government fees.

• Office Action Response

If an examiner objects to your application, we draft legal responses and file procedural extension requests within the legal deadlines.

• Trademark Opposition and Defence

We file oppositions against conflicting marks published in the e-Gazette and defend your marks against third-party challenges.

• Declaration of Actual Use (DAU) Filing

Our team collects your proof of use, drafts sworn statements, and submits required DAUs to prevent automatic cancellation.

• Trademark Renewal in the Philippines

We file 10-year renewal applications and the required renewal DAU together to maintain your protection without surcharges.

• Madrid Protocol Filings

Our trademark attorneys handle international registrations designating the Philippines. We respond to provisional refusals and file mandatory local DAUs.

• Trademark Watch and Enforcement

Our legal team monitors new filings and local marketplaces for copies of your brand, handling warning letters and cancellation actions.

• Foreign Companies Entering the Market: File before launch so a local distributor cannot register the mark first.
• Local Startups and SMEs: Protect your brand early and use lower fees if company assets are PHP 100 million or less.
• E-Commerce and D2C Brands: Secure brand registry access and takedown rights on Shopee, Lazada, and social platforms.
• Franchisors and Importers: Establish clear title to license the brand to local partners.
• International Law Firms: Outsource local agent duties, filings, and DAU management to an established associate.

1. Availability Search (1 to 3 Business Days): Our IP team checks the IPOPHL register and evaluates conflict risks.
2. Classification and Document Prep (1 to 2 Days): We select classes, draft product lists, and prepare the Power of Attorney.
3. Filing with IPOPHL (Day 1): We submit the application online, pay filing and publication fees, and secure your filing date.
4. Examination (2 to 6 Months): IPOPHL reviews the mark for conflicts and distinctiveness. We respond to any objection within 2 months.
5. e-Gazette Publication (30 Days): The mark is published for public opposition. We monitor this 30-day window.
6. Registration and DAU Scheduling (Months 8 to 12): IPOPHL issues the 10-year certificate. We record your 3rd-year DAU deadline immediately.

• Clear image of the logo or word mark (JPG or PNG).
• List of products or services to cover.
• Applicant legal name, address, nationality, and entity size (small entity if assets are PHP 100 million or less; big entity if over).
• Signed Power of Attorney appointing our resident agent (no notarization required for initial filing).
• Certified copy of earlier foreign filing if claiming 6-month priority.

Official IPOPHL Fees (Per Class)

Procedural Step | Small Entity | Big Entity

• Filing Fee | PHP 1,200 | PHP 2,592
• Publication for Opposition | PHP 900 | PHP 960
• Claim of Color (if any) | PHP 280 | PHP 600
• Registration Certificate | PHP 570 | PHP 1,200
• 3rd Year DAU | PHP 900 | PHP 1,920
• 10-Year Renewal | PHP 3,100 | PHP 6,600

A straightforward application takes 8 to 12 months from filing to registration.

• Filing: Day 1
• Examination: Months 2 to 6
• Office Action (if issued): Adds 2 to 4 months
• Publication Period: 30 days
• Certificate Issued: Months 8 to 12

Third-party oppositions add 12 to 24 months.

• Clear Track Record: Managing trademark portfolios since 1971.
• Fixed Fees: Clear quotes before filing with no hidden costs.
• Direct Search Opinions: We verify risks before you pay official fees.
• Reliable Tracking: Our IP team monitors every DAU and renewal deadline.
• Broad Reach: We manage your filings across the Philippines, Asia, and 125+ countries through one team.