Trademark registration is one of the most important steps for any business that plans to protect its name, logo or corporate identity from copying. In 2026, the registration procedure in Ukraine remains legally clear, but has its own nuances, deadlines and costs that are worth knowing in advance. In this article, we will tell you what a trademark is, who can register it, what stages you need to go through and what mistakes are best avoided.

What is a trademark and why register it?

A trademark (hereinafter referred to as TM) is any designation (verbal, graphic, combined, and in some cases volumetric) that allows you to distinguish the goods or services of one manufacturer from the goods and services of another.

TM registration gives the owner the exclusive right to use the designation for the goods and services specified in the certificate, as well as to prohibit other persons from using identical or similar designations without permission. This is not a formality, but a real legal instrument that:

– protects the brand from copying by competitors;

– provides grounds for going to court in the event of a violation of rights;

– increases the value of the business – a registered TM is an intangible asset;

– allows you to officially transfer rights under a license agreement or sell a franchise;

– necessary for registering goods on marketplaces, in the customs register and for protection against parallel imports;

– is the basis for further international registration of the brand.

Without registration, a name or logo has no legal protection — any other company could theoretically register a similar designation before you and deprive you of the right to use your own brand.

Who can apply?

An application for trademark registration in Ukraine can be submitted by:

– an individual (including an individual entrepreneur);

– a legal entity registered in Ukraine or abroad;

– several persons at the same time (co-owners of the trademark);

– foreign applicants – through a patent attorney, since the participation of a representative in intellectual property matters is mandatory for non-residents.

Step-by-step registration process

Step 1 — Checking the uniqueness of the designation

Before submitting an application, it is important to check whether an identical or similar designation has already been registered in the same or related classes. The search is carried out in the databases of the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (UKRNOIVI) and the Global Brand Database of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which contains data on international registrations under the Madrid System, as well as information from national and regional registers, which allows for future access to foreign markets.
A preliminary search allows you to assess the chances of successful registration even before paying state fees and avoid a situation where the application is rejected due to similarity to an already registered TM.
Step 2 — Preparing documents

To submit an application, you need to prepare:
– a statement of the established form for trademark registration, which states:

• full name or title of the applicant;
• address of residence or location;
• representative details (if available);
• address for correspondence;
  – an image of the designation (verbal, graphic or combined) that is being claimed;
  – a list of goods and services grouped according to the International Classification of Goods and Services (ICC);

– power of attorney, if the application is filed by a representative or patent attorney;

– a document confirming payment of the application fee (paid within two months from the date of submission).

Step 3 — Submitting an application to UKRNOIVI

The application can be submitted electronically.through the electronic application submission system (SPEZ-1), the electronic interaction system of the examination institution (SEV ZES).

From 2023, the main method of submission is electronic, through the applicant’s account on the UKRNOIVI website. Access requires a qualified electronic signature (QES).

It is also possible to submit in paper form:

·       directly to the relevant UKRNOIVI unit;

·       directly through the mailbox at the address of the UKRNOIVI office – 1 Dmytra Godzenka St., Kyiv;

·       to the address of the UKRNOIVI office by postal service (Ukrposhta) – 1 Dmytra Godzenka St., Kyiv, 01601;

A trademark application fee is paid upon filing. The amount depends on the number of classes of the Trademark Code (for more details, see the cost section).

After receiving your application, UKRNOIVI will assign it a number and filing date. This date is your priority date — it is from this date that your rights will be counted if a dispute arises with another applicant.

Step 4 — Examination and obtaining a certificate

After the application is received by the UKRNOIVI, it undergoes an examination, which consists of two main stages.

At the stageformal examinationThe correctness of the application, the availability of all necessary documents, payment of fees, and the application’s compliance with the requirements established by law are checked.

After successful completion of the formal examination,qualification (examination on the merits)At this stage, it is checked whether the applied designation meets the conditions for granting legal protection, in particular whether it is identical or similar to the degree of confusion with previously registered trademarks, and whether it contains absolute or relative grounds for refusal of registration.

Based on the results of the examination, a decision is made on state registration of the trademark or on refusal to register. In case of a positive decision, the applicant pays the state duty and the fee for publication of information, after which information about the trademark is entered into the State Register of Trademark Certificates of Ukraine.

From the moment the relevant information is entered into the Register, the applicant acquires the status of the trademark owner,

The certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be extended an unlimited number of times.

Cost and registration deadlines in 2026

Official registration fees (in UKRNOIV) depend on the number of MKTP classes:

General terms:In the standard mode, the registration procedure in Ukraine in 2026 lasts approximately 14 to 18 months – depending on the load on UKRNOIVI. The trademark certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of application with the possibility of an unlimited number of extensions for another 10 years, subject to timely payment of the appropriate fee.

Typical registration errors

Incorrect choice of MKTP classes.Too narrow a list of classes leaves the brand unprotected in related areas of activity, and too broad leads to unnecessary costs for unnecessary classes both during the application and during the subsequent renewal of the certificate. This can only be corrected by submitting a new application.

Ignore previous search.Submitting an application without checking for identity and similarity is one of the most common reasons for refusals. The costs of searching are much less than the money lost if the registration is refused.

Too descriptive a brand.A designation that directly describes the product itself or its properties (for example, commonly used words like “high-quality”, “tasty” for the relevant products) is generally devoid of distinctiveness and is not subject to registration.

Submission delay.Due to the principle of first-come, first-served priority, the applicant who files first wins. Delaying filing increases the risk that another company will register a similar designation.

Lack of monitoring after registration.Obtaining a certificate is not the end of the TM process. Without regular monitoring of new applications, the owner risks missing registration of similar designations by competitors and losing time for timely opposition.

FAQ

Can a color scheme or font be registered as a trademark?Yes, a trademark can be registered in color – then the protection extends to the claimed color range. As for the font, it is usually protected as an element of a combined designation (for example, a logo), and not as an independent object.

What is a class of MKTP and how many of them should be chosen?The International Classification of Goods and Services (ICG) is a system of 45 classes that group all goods (classes 1–34) and services (classes 35–45). The number of classes depends on the areas of activity that need to be protected: the wider the range of goods or services under the brand, the more classes should be indicated. The main thing is to choose only those classes where the brand is actually used or planned to be used.

Can I use the ™ mark before obtaining a certificate?Yes, the ™ designation can be used before registration – it informs that the applicant considers the designation to be his trademark, but does not provide legal protection. The official registration mark ® can be used only after receiving a certificate.

What to do if Ukrpatent sent a preliminary refusal decision?The preliminary decision is not final – the applicant has the right to provide a reasoned response, arguments or make changes to the list of goods and services within the established period. If necessary, the decision can be appealed to the Appeals Chamber of UKRNOIV or in court.

Is a Ukrainian certificate valid abroad?No, trademark rights are valid only in the territory of the state of registration, i.e. within Ukraine. To protect a brand abroad, a separate national registration is required in each country or an international registration through the Madrid System, which is based on a national application or registration.

Do I need a patent attorney to file?For applicants resident in Ukraine, involving a patent attorney is not mandatory – the application can be filed independently or through a representative. For foreign applicants, the involvement of a patent attorney is a mandatory requirement of the law.