Trademarks in Lithuania

Competent Authority & System

Official Authority: State Patent Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania / Lietuvos Respublikos valstybinis patentų biuras (VPB).

Official Language: Lithuanian.

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

International Treaties

Madrid System: Member of both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. Lithuania 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 natural or legal persons who do not have a domicile, permanent residence, or real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in Lithuania or another European Economic Area (EEA) member state must be represented by a registered Lithuanian representative.

Power of Attorney (POA): A simple signed Power of Attorney is accepted. Notarization or Legalization/Apostille is not required. The signed POA can be submitted late within 3 months from the application filing date.

Online Services & Database

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

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

Registrable Mark Types

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

Foreign Characters & Translation: Applications featuring non-Latin characters or foreign text must include a transliteration into the Latin alphabet and a translation into Lithuanian.

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 VPB (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, genericness, public order, deceptive signs).

Relative Grounds: VPB does not examine or issue refusals on relative grounds (prior conflicting rights) ex officio. Conflict resolution relies entirely on third-party opposition proceedings or post-grant cancellation.

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

Publication & Opposition

Opposition Window: 3 months starting from the publication date of the registered trademark in the Official Bulletin of the VPB (Valstybinio patentų biuro oficialus biuletenis). Oppositions are examined by the Appeals Division of the VPB.

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 6 to 8 months from filing to registration in smooth, un-opposed cases.

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

Official Fees

Official statutory fees at VPB (national fee schedule):

Base Application Fee (Individual Mark - 1st Class): €180.

Additional Class Fee: €40 per class exceeding the 1st.

Collective / Certification Mark Base Fee: €320 (plus €50 per additional class).

Official Opposition Fee: €180.

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

Renewal Additional Class Fee: €40 per class exceeding the 1st.

Duration & Renewal

Validity Period: 10 years calculated from the filing date.

Renewal Duration: Renewable indefinitely for consecutive 10-year terms. Renewal applications 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 fee surcharge (50% increase on renewal fees).

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 Lithuania 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 VPB to be enforceable against third parties.

Legal Remedies & Enforcement

Cancellation & Invalidity: Non-use revocation actions and absolute/relative invalidity claims are filed administratively with the Appeals Division of the VPB or brought before the Vilnius Regional Court (Vilniaus apygardos teismas).

Customs Enforcement: Brand owners can file applications for customs border detention with the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania under EU Customs Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 to intercept counterfeit goods at the border.

Country-Specific Risks & Practical Insights

Post-Registration Opposition Framework: VPB registers and publishes trademarks before opening the 3-month opposition window. Successful oppositions result in retroactive revocation.

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

3-Month POA Window: Foreign applicants can secure an immediate filing date and submit the simple signed POA within 3 months of 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.

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