Philippines Trademark Registration Service

A trademark is your brand’s identity. It can be your business name, logo, slogan, or symbol; the unique elements that set you apart from others in the market. In the Philippines, trademark registration is overseen by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), governed by the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. 

Once your trademark is registered, you gain the exclusive right to use your mark nationwide and take legal action if someone else tries to use it without your permission. However, this protection only applies within the Philippines.

If someone opposes your trademark application, you will be notified and have the opportunity to file a response. The opposition process is handled by IPOPHL, and oppositions must be filed within 30 days from the publication of the mark, with possible extensions. The opposition is resolved through administrative proceedings at IPOPHL.

Registering your trademark gives you more than just ownership over a name or logo; it gives you legal power, market credibility, and long-term value. Here is why trademark registration matters in the Philippines:

• Prevents others from using or registering a similar brand that could confuse your customers.
• Grants you the exclusive right to use your mark in connection with your products or services.
• Builds trust and adds credibility to your business in the eyes of consumers, partners, and investors.
• Enables you to take legal action against anyone who copies or misuses your brand.
• Allows you to license, franchise, or even sell your brand as a valuable business asset.
• Required by major platforms like Amazon if you want to enroll in brand protection programs.

Proof of use is not required at the time of registration. However, you must file a Declaration of Actual Use (DAU) within three years from the registration date to maintain the trademark. The DAU is a sworn statement with evidence showing the trademark is being used in the Philippines for the goods or services listed in the registration.

The Nice Classification is an international system that groups goods and services into 45 classes (Classes 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services). When filing for trademarks, you must specify which classes your mark applies to. Each additional class increases the government fee as it is calculated on a per-class basis.

Yes. It is possible to file a multi-class trademark application, meaning one application can cover multiple classes of goods or services. However, each class is examined and can be opposed independently, and each class requires a separate fee.