Register a Trademark in Portugal

Entrepreneurs in Portugal can protect their trademarks in Portugal by following a simple registration process with the Portuguese authorities. This step ensures the exclusive usage of a specific trademark (sign, symbol, character, etc.) and allows Portuguese companies to better promote their image.

 

In order to register a trademark in Portugal, applicants need to submit a special form and the trademark representation to the Institute of Industrial Property.

 

One of our lawyers in Portugal can help you during the registration phase and can answer all of your questions concerning intellectual protection laws in the country. 

 

 

Investors in Portugal have a number of advantages if they choose to register their trademark in the country:

 

- exclusive nationwide usage: a certain trademark will be used in Portugal only by the individual/company that registered it; the owner can also take legal action against infringement;

- owners can oppose the registration of similar marks;

- the owner may have priority when claiming the registration of the same trademark in a number of other jurisdictions; one of our lawyers in Portugal can give you more information on trademark registration priority. 

 

Foreign investors in Portugal also benefit from the fact that the country is a member of the EU, thus European Union Trademarks are protected here. 

 

 

Simple or combined trademarks can be registered in Portugal. The latter includes a special category of trademarks that contain both word/character elements and figurative elements. If the applicant wishes to register this type of trademark, then its use is limited to that exact configuration of elements. 

 

All types of companies in Portugal may file an application for trademark registration. The process is complete once the new trademark is published in the Industrial Property Bulleting. Trademark oppositions can be filed within two months of the publication date. 

 

Trademarks that have not been used for a long period are more vulnerable to cancellation. The validity of a trademark registered in Portugal is ten years, after which it can be renewed. Renewal fees apply.

 

Priority in registration of intellectual property
 

Kinds of intellectual property
 

Different works or creations come under various types of intellectual property. Our lawyers in Portugal can guide you on how to acquire rights over your work or creation. Here are the main types of intellectual property:

1. Patent - This covers inventions that are unique, involves inventive steps, and can be used for industrial applications. Patents in Portugal exist for a period of 20 years and whoever holds the patent makes use of the invention exclusively and has the right to prevent others from manufacturing or distributing it without consent.

2. Trademark - This covers products and services. Trademarks are marks or signs that distinguish the products and services of one business from those of other companies. Once the trademark is registered in Portugal, no other business may use it without following the regulations as provided for by law and honest business practices. Trademarks expire after five successive years of non-use.

3. Copyright - This is regulated by the Code of Copyright and Other Related Rights of Portugal. Copyright covers intellectual creations involving ideas, literature, science, and artistic works. The owner of the copyright has exclusive rights, economic benefits of the work, can exploit it, or allow others to make use of it with consent.

Copyright is granted from the time the work is created without need of registration or publication and lasts for 50 years after the death of its creator.

 

You can contact the intellectual property experts at our law firm in Portugal for more information and advice on trademark registration in the country.