Trademarks in Cyprus

Competent Authority & System

Official Authority: Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property (DRCIP) – Intellectual Property Section / Τμήμα Εφόρου Εταιρειών και Πνευματικής Ιδιοκτησίας.

Official Language: Greek (English is widely accepted for initial processing and administrative forms).

System: National IP system. As an EU Member State, national trademark protection in Cyprus runs parallel to European Union Trademarks (EUTM) managed by the EUIPO.

International Treaties

Madrid System: Member of both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. Cyprus can be designated in international applications via WIPO.

Paris Convention: Member state; convention priority can be claimed within 6 months from the initial filing date.

Applicant & Representation Requirements

Entitlement: Both natural persons and legal entities (domestic or foreign) are eligible to apply.

Representation for Foreign Applicants: Under Cypriot Law (Trade Marks Law, Cap. 268), non-resident applicants (and foreign entities) must be represented by a licensed Cyprus advocate/representative.

Power of Attorney (POA): Formally required when represented by a representative. Under current e-filing practice (Law 63(I)/2020), a separate physical POA is generally no longer mandatory for digital submissions by a practicing advocate, though authorization forms may still be requested for paper filings or contested matters.

Online Services & Database

E-Filing: Online application filing is fully operational via the DRCIP e-filing portal.

Free Trademark Search Database: Public search functions are accessible through the DRCIP electronic portal register, as well as via TMview, EUIPO eSearch plus, and the WIPO Global Brand Database.

Registrable Mark Types

Types: Words, figurative signs, logos, 3D shapes/packaging, color combinations, sounds, and other non-traditional signs capable of clear visual representation and distinguishing goods or services.

Foreign Characters & Translation: Marks containing non-Greek or non-Latin text must be accompanied by a transliteration into the Latin alphabet and a translation into Greek.

Classification Framework

Nice Classification: Uses the active edition of the Nice Classification.

Multi-class Filings: Permitted under a single application.

Class Headings: Accepted, provided the goods and services are clear and specified according to standard EU common practice.

Examination Process

Examination Scope:

Formal & Absolute Grounds: Examined ex officio by DRCIP (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, genericness, deceptive marks, public order/morality).

Relative Grounds: DRCIP conducts substantive ex officio examination, reviewing both absolute and relative grounds (checking for conflicting prior registered marks and applications).

Office Action Deadlines: Standard response time to formal deficiency letters or provisional refusal notices is typically 2 months from official notification.

Publication & Opposition

Opposition Window: 3 months starting from the date of publication of the application/acceptance decision in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus (Επίσημη Εφημερίδα).

Standing: Holders of earlier registered trademarks, pending applications, EUTMs, or well-known marks under Article 6bis of the Paris Convention.

Timeline & Expedited Examination

Average Timeframe: Approximately 5 to 9 months from filing to registration for uncontested applications.

Expedited Examination: Official accelerated examination requests (preliminary opinions) can be requested upon payment of official urgency fees.

Official Fees

Official statutory fees at DRCIP are assessed in Euros (EUR):

Online Filing Base Fee (1 Class): €129 (Form E.Σ 02).

Additional Class Fee (Online): €94 per additional class.

Paper Filing Base Fee (1 Class): €141.

Paper Filing Additional Class Fee: €102 per class.

Official Opposition Fee: €348 (Form E.Σ 14).

Duration & Renewal

Validity Period: 10 years calculated from the filing date. (Note: Replaced the outdated 7-year pre-2020 rule).

Renewal Duration: Renewable indefinitely for consecutive 10-year terms. Renewal must be filed within the final 6 months prior to expiration.

Grace Period: A 6-month grace period post-expiration is allowed for late renewal, subject to an official late payment surcharge.

Use Requirements & Priority System

Priority System: First-to-file system.

Non-Use Cancellation: A registered trademark becomes vulnerable to revocation on non-use grounds if it is not put to genuine commercial use in Cyprus for a continuous period of 5 years post-registration.

Declaration of Use: Maintenance declarations or affidavits of use are not required during routine 10-year renewals.

Post-Registration Transactions

Recordals: Rights assignments, licensing agreements, changes of corporate name, and changes of address must be officially registered with DRCIP to be enforceable against third parties.

Legal Remedies & Enforcement

Cancellation & Invalidity: Non-use revocation and relative/absolute invalidity claims are filed administratively with DRCIP or brought before the competent civil courts of Cyprus.

Customs Enforcement: Rights holders can file applications for customs border detention under EU Customs Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 to intercept counterfeit or infringing goods at Cypriot ports and airports.

Country-Specific Risks & Practical Insights

Mandatory Legal Representative: Unlike jurisdictions where foreign applicants can file directly, Cypriot law requires a registered advocate of the Cyprus Bar Association to execute and submit national trademark filings.

Pre-2020 Legal Term Myths: Older online sources incorrectly state that Cyprus marks are valid for 7 years initially and renewed for 14 years. Law 63(I)/2020 updated national law to standard European practice: 10 years validity, renewable for 10-year periods.

EU Dual Route: Applicants seeking broader protection across Europe often opt for a European Union Trademark (EUTM) through EUIPO, which automatically extends protection to Cyprus without requiring a local advocate for filing.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.

Cyprus is also covered by the EU trade mark, which protects a mark in all EU member countries with one filing. See regional systems.