Trademark Registration in Sri Lanka

A trademark attorney will process a trademark registration in Sri Lanka by conducting the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1. Trademark’s Comprehensive Study:

Before filing for trademark registration in Sri Lanka, one must assess all probable challenges that could come in the way of the registration process. This Comprehensive Study of the trademark helps in making a list of all comparable trademarks (graphically or phonetically) that might conflict with the one selected by you.

Step 2. Request of Trademark Registration:

The next step is that an attorney files your trademark registration in Sri Lanka and fulfils all necessary steps in the Trademark Office for getting registration approval. After the trademark is filed, we send the filing report comprising of the application number, date, and a scanned copy of the complete application.

How many applications do I need to file?

This completely depends on your trademark’s characteristics, the budget you have and the scope of protection you want to have in Sri Lanka. In case your trademark comprises some distinctive verbal elements like text or design elements such as graphics or logos and you would want both to be protected, we recommend you to file two separate trademark applications; the first one to protect the verbal elements; in this case, the application has to be filed as a “Word Mark” and the second one to protect the design elements, in which case, the application would be filed as a “Combined Mark”. Opting to go with two trademark applications would give you the following benefits: Wider and stronger protection: If at all, any third party files for a “Combined Mark” which has similar text like yours but has a different design, then their “Combined Mark” could be registered if you had only filed a “Combined Mark” and not chosen a “Word Mark,”. This is because the third party’s trademark would be considered different from yours. You would get the protection if your logo evolves: It is a common practices for organizations to change their logo design with passage of time. In case you file a “Combined Mark” and not go for a “Word Mark,” then your new logo would not be protected. You should use your trademark as it is registered exactly. In case you don’t do that, your trademark might be subject to cancellation. Efficient verbal and graphics protection: Opting to file a “Word Mark” application offers more flexibility to use your trademark in various ways; for example, presenting it in some stylized text form or presenting it with varying layouts or designs, provided they are not very similar to any registered trademarks that could belong to third parties. Filing a “Combined Mark” enables you to get protection for the design elements of your trademark. In case your trademark also comprises a slogan or any distinctive design symbol, we recommend you to file for a specific application for each element, as that will provide you with additional protection.