Trademarks in Latvia

Competent Authority & System

Official Authority: Patent Office of the Republic of Latvia / Latvijas Republikas Patentu valde (LRPV).

Official Language: Latvian.

System: National IP system. As an EU Member State, protection in Latvia can also be obtained via European Union Trademarks (EUTM) administered by EUIPO.

International Treaties

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

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

Applicant & Representation Requirements

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

Representation for Foreign Applicants: Non-resident applicants established outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) must be represented by a registered Latvian patent/representative admitted to practice before LRPV.

Power of Attorney (POA): A simple signed Power of Attorney is accepted. Notarization or Legalization/Apostille is not required unless requested under specific doubts by the Office.

Online Services & Database

E-Filing: E-filing is fully operational through the official LRPV online portal (e-services).

Free Trademark Search Database: Public searches are accessible free of charge via the official LRPV Register Database, as well as TMview, EUIPO eSearch plus, and the WIPO Global Brand Database.

Registrable Mark Types

Types: Word, figurative/logo, combined, 3D shapes/packaging, color, sound, motion, multimedia, pattern, and position marks capable of clear visual or digital representation in the register.

Foreign Characters & Translation: Applications containing non-Latin scripts or non-Latvian words must include a transliteration into the Latin alphabet and a translation into Latvian.

Classification Framework

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

Multi-class Filings: Permitted under a single application.

Class Headings: Accepted, provided they conform to standard EU common practice (IP TRANSLATED principles) for clarity and precision.

Examination Process

Examination Scope:

Formal & Absolute Grounds: Examined ex officio by LRPV (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, genericness, public policy, deceptive signs).

Relative Grounds: LRPV does not evaluate or refuse applications on relative grounds (prior conflicting rights) ex officio. Earlier rights holders are notified via search notices and must defend their rights through third-party opposition proceedings or post-grant cancellation.

Office Action Deadlines: Response to formal deficiency notices or provisional refusals on absolute grounds is typically required within 2 months from official notification (extendable upon request).

Publication & Opposition

Opposition Window: 3 months starting from the date of publication of the trademark registration/application in the official IP gazette (Izgudrojumi, Preču Zīmes un Dizainparaugi). Oppositions are examined by the LRPV Board of Appeal.

Standing: Owners of earlier registered national or EU trademarks, pending applications with earlier priority, well-known marks under Article 6bis of the Paris Convention, or trade names.

Timeline & Expedited Examination

Average Timeframe: Approximately 4 to 8 months from filing to registration in smooth cases without third-party oppositions or office actions.

Accelerated Examination: Fast-track examination can be requested upon payment of an official urgency surcharge fee.

Official Fees

Official statutory fees at LRPV (national fee schedule):

Base Application Fee (1st Class): €90.

Additional Class Fee: €30 per class exceeding the 1st.

Registration & Certificate Issuance Fee: €95 (payable prior to grant/issuance).

Official Opposition Fee: €180.

Standard Renewal Fee (10 Years - 1st Class): €180.

Duration & Renewal

Validity Period: 10 years calculated from the filing date.

Renewal Duration: Renewable indefinitely for consecutive 10-year terms. Renewal requests can be filed within 12 months prior to expiration.

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

Use Requirements & Priority System

Priority System: First-to-file system.

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

Declaration of Use: No periodic maintenance declarations or affidavits of use are required during routine 10-year renewals.

Post-Registration Transactions

Recordals: Rights assignments, licensing agreements, pledges, and changes of corporate details (name/address) must be officially registered in the Register at LRPV to be enforceable against third parties.

Legal Remedies & Enforcement

Cancellation & Invalidity: Non-use revocation actions and absolute/relative invalidity claims are filed with the LRPV Board of Appeal or brought before the competent civil courts (such as the Riga City Court / Latgale Urban District).

Customs Enforcement: Brand owners can file applications for customs border detention with the State Revenue Service of Latvia (Customs Board) under EU Customs Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 to intercept counterfeit goods at the border.

Country-Specific Risks & Practical Insights

Two-Stage Official Fee Structure: LRPV splits official statutory fees into an initial €90 base filing fee and a separate €95 grant/certificate fee payable once examination is passed.

No Ex Officio Relative Grounds Refusal: LRPV evaluates absolute grounds only. Trademark monitoring is essential to detect confusingly similar filings during the 3-month opposition window.

Affordable Additional Class Add-ons: Latvia offers a low per-class fee surcharge (€30 per additional class), making multi-class filings economical.

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.

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