How to file a Trademark in Uruguay?

You can obtain trademark protection in Uruguay by registering your mark with the National Directorate of Industrial Property (DNPI). Under Trademark Law N° 17.011, trademark registrations remain valid for 10 years from the registration date and you can renew them for successive 10-year periods.

What is a trademark in Uruguay?

A trademark is any sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of a natural or legal person from other identical goods or services

How to file a Trademark in Uruguay?

The following is needed to file a trademark application in Uruguay

To file a trademark in Uruguay, you must provide the following trademark information:

The complete name and address of the applicant(s).
The details of the mark, including its type, a digital image (if applicable), and a description of any colors used.
The class or classes in which you intend to register the trademark, along with the specifications of the goods or services it covers.

You must also submit the following documents:

Power of Attorney, signed by the applicant or an authorized officer of the applicant company. A Notary Public must notarize the signature, and you must include Consular legalization or an “Apostille.” Since Uruguay is a member of the Hague Convention, it allows exemption from consular legalization if apostilled.
Certified copy of the Priority Document, if you are claiming priority. The copy must be notarized and based on the first filed foreign application.
Spanish translations of all documents. Our in-house translators can assist you with this, as Spanish is the official language for proceedings.

Goytia & Associates can proceed with a search free of charge. Click here

How is the process of filing a Trademark in Uruguay?

You can submit the entire application online with the DNPI.

However, we highly recommend conducting an availability search before filing any trademark application.

You can also file multi-class applications.

Looking for information on patents? Click here to learn how to file a patent in Uruguay.

Examination

Procedure following the submission of the application.

The DNPI assigns an application number and records the corresponding filing date once you submit your trademark application.

Publish the Application: After DNPI completes the formal examination and finds no formal defects—or once you correct any notified issues—it publishes your application in the Industrial Property Bulletin. From the day after publication, third parties have 30 calendar days to file an opposition if they believe they hold a superior right.

Handle Oppositions: Any third party or interested party may oppose the registration by submitting their objection to DNPI within the strict and non-extendable 30-day period. Regardless of whether oppositions are filed, DNPI examines the application ex officio to ensure it complies with Law 17.011.

Respond to Ex Officio or Third-Party Oppositions: If DNPI raises concerns under Articles 4 (Absolute Nullities) or 5 (Relative Nullities) of Law 17.011—or if a third party files an opposition—you must respond within a strict, non-extendable 30-day period. During this time, you may file a written defense and present your arguments.

Review and Resolution: DNPI sends the file to the Legal Advisory Department for evaluation. If neither third-party nor ex officio oppositions are present, DNPI issues a resolution granting the trademark registration and notifies you accordingly.

Duration of the procedure:

The registration process typically takes around 18 to 24 months to complete.

Grant, validity term and maintenance fees

A registered trademark in Uruguay remains valid for 10 years from the registration date. You can renew it an unlimited number of times for additional 10-year periods. To maintain protection, you must submit a renewal application at least six months before the expiration date.

International treaties

Uruguay follows the Hague Convention, which exempts foreign documents from consular legalization. Therefore, when sending public documents to Uruguay from another member country, you must include an “Apostille.” This replaces the need for consular legalization.

Representation by a Intellectual Property Agent

Please note that we accept a general power of attorney and use it to file multiple applications on behalf of the same client.

Goytia & Associates has local offices in Uruguay and in key cities of the world to ensure the best quality of IP service. Our extensive coverage of +120 countries enables our clients to effectively manage multiple filings and cases through one centralized agent.