Bulgaria

Trademark registration Bulgaria - Bulgaria is a member of the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol and the European Community. Legal basis is the Law on Marks and Geographical Indications (LMGI) of September 14th, 1999. Trademark protection is obtained by registration on the first-to-file principle.

Requirements

A trademark application has to be filed before the Bulgarian Patent Office. by a local agent. A non-legalized power of attorney is acceptable in case of reciprocity, highly recommended is the special form available at the Patent Office. Foreign applicants do not need a domestic registration.

Procedure

The application process includes a formal examination and an examination of distinctiveness, but no search for prior trademarks. It takes approximately 12-24 months before an office action is issued by the trademark authority or registration. After end of the formal examination the trademark is published in monthly Official Bulletin of the Patent Office. The opposition period is 2 month from publication date of the application.

Duration

A trademark registration in Bulgaria is valid for 10 years and starts with registration date. The registration is renewable for periods of 10 years.

Methods

NATIONAL REGISTRATION: If you just want to register your Trademark in one country, it is sufficient to apply for a national registration at the local trademark office.

EUROPEAN UNION (COMMUNITY TRADEMARK): Since this country is a member of the European Union, Trademark Protection could be obtained by registration of a Community Trademark (CTM), which is valid for a period of 10 years in all countries of the European Union.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION (MADRID SYSTEM)*: If you already have filed a trademark application or have a trademark registration in one or more countries of the Madrid Union (based on the Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol), you can obtain trademark protection by filing one single application, so called International Registration (Madrid System).

*Note: The fees for an International Trademark Application (WIPO) will be calculated for each individual country or multiple countries. For a quotation please send us an e-mail with the name of countries where you currently have a registration and all preferable countries where you wish to extend your trademark protection.

Extra

Duly note, if the trademark has not been used within 5 years from registration or has not been used later for 5 consecutive years, it may be subject to cancellation.