The trademark registration process for Norwegian trademarks involves several steps, from the initial application to the final registration. Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:
1. Preliminary Research
Before filing a trademark application, it's important to conduct a thorough trademark search to identify any potential conflicts with existing trademarks in Norway. This search helps you assess the likelihood of successful registration and avoid potential legal disputes.
2. Application Preparation
After ensuring the uniqueness of your trademark, you can proceed with preparing your application. You'll need to determine the appropriate trademark classes that correspond to the goods and services your trademark will cover. This is done according to the Nice Classification system.
3. Application Filing
We submit your trademark application to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO), which is the authority responsible for trademark registration in Norway.
4. Formal Examination
NIPO conducts a formal examination of your application to ensure it meets the necessary requirements. They check for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulations. If there are any deficiencies, you may be given an opportunity to address them.
5. Examination for Absolute and Relative Grounds
During this stage, NIPO reviews your trademark to determine if it meets the criteria for registration. They assess factors such as the distinctiveness of the mark, whether it's descriptive, and if it falls under any prohibited signs. The examination for relvative grounds includes assessing whether the proposed trademark would infringe upon the rights of other trademark holders or other protected rights in Norway, such as business names, creative works, intellectual property, and more.
6. Publication
If your application passes the examination for absolute and relative grounds, NIPO will publish your trademark application in the Norwegian Trademark Gazette. This allows third parties to review the application and raise objections if they believe your trademark conflicts with their existing rights.
7. Opposition Period
For two. months after publication third parties have the opportunity to file oppositions against your trademark application if they believe it infringes upon their existing rights. If an opposition is filed, both parties may engage in proceedings to resolve the dispute.
8. Registration and Certificate
If your trademark successfully passes all examinations and no conflicts arise during the opposition period, NIPO will approve your application for registration. You'll receive an official trademark registration certificate, which grants you exclusive rights to use your trademark in Norway.
9. Maintenance and Renewal
Trademarks in Norway are initially registered for ten years. To keep your trademark registration active, you'll need to pay renewal fees. Renewals can be made every ten years.
***
Start Your Journey - Search trademarks
Contact Our Experts - Contact us
Order Trademarks Online - Order here