Trademarks in Iran

Competent Authority

Trademark registration in Iran is administered by the Intellectual Property Center (IIPO) under the Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties, which operates under the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The official working language of the office is Persian (Farsi), and the system is national.

International Agreements

Iran is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (as an observer), and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. However, Iran is not a party to the Madrid Agreement or the Madrid Protocol; therefore, international registrations cannot be extended to Iran via the Madrid System.

Who May Apply

Natural persons and legal entities engaging in commercial, industrial, or service activities may apply. Foreign applicants without a residence or principal place of business in Iran must act through an authorized local Iranian trademark representative or representative. A signed Power of Attorney (POA) is required, which typically must be notarized and legalized up to the Iranian Consulate. All foreign-language documents must include a certified translation into Persian.

Online Filing and Search

Electronic filings and initial registry submissions are processed through the official digital portal managed by the Intellectual Property Center of Iran.

Registrable Sign Types

Trademarks may comprise words, names, logos, devices, letters, numbers, or combinations thereof capable of distinguishing goods or services. Non-Persian characters or words must be accompanied by accurate Persian translations or transliterations.

Classification

Iran follows the international Nice Classification system for the registration of goods and services. Multi-class applications are supported, allowing a single application to cover multiple classes subject to additional class fees.

Examination

The Intellectual Property Center conducts a formal examination for completeness and classification, followed by a substantive examination covering absolute grounds for refusal (such as contravention of public order or Islamic morality) and relative grounds (conflicts with prior registered or pending marks).

Publication and Opposition

Once an application is approved following examination, it is published in the Official Gazette (first publication). Any interested third party may file a formal notice of opposition against the registration of the trademark within a statutory window of 30 days from the publication date.

Timelines

An unopposed straightforward trademark application typically takes between several months to over a year from initial filing to final registration certificate issuance, depending on examination backlogs and publication cycles.

Protection Duration and Renewal

Trademark protection is valid for 10 years starting from the official application filing date. Registrations can be renewed for successive 10-year periods upon submission of a renewal request and payment of renewal fees within the final year of protection.

Use Requirements

A registered trademark is vulnerable to cancellation or non-use revocation actions if it is not put to genuine commercial use. Iran operates primarily on a first-to-file priority framework.

Post-Registration Procedures

Post-registration modifications—including assignments, licensing agreements, changes of registrant name, or changes of address—must be formally recorded with the Intellectual Property Center to ensure legal validity and enforceability against third parties.

Legal Remedies

Legal remedies include administrative cancellation and invalidation actions, civil infringement lawsuits before specialized courts seeking damages and injunctions, and enforcement measures against unauthorized counterfeit distribution.

Country-Specific Risks and Practical Notes

Because Iran operates entirely outside the Madrid System and requires strict adherence to Persian-language documentation alongside consular legalization for foreign powers of attorney, careful coordination with local counsel is essential to avoid formal rejection during the initial filing phase.

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.