Trademark Registration in Colombia

Overview

Colombia operates under a first-to-file trademark system. Registration is mandatory to establish rights, and the country follows the Andean Community (Decision 486) framework for IP protection. The approximate time from application to registration is six to eight months without opposition.

Colombia's trademark office, the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), has modernized its processes and offers electronic filing. The country is a member of the Madrid Protocol, enabling international filings through WIPO.

Key Facts at a Glance

Advantages of Trademark Registration

• It is the primary means of obtaining rights in a trademark
• Provides national protection throughout Colombia
• Allows use of ® to demonstrate ownership
• Enables court enforcement and customs recordal
• Deters unauthorized use by competitors
• Provides a strong defense to infringement claims
• Enforcement of registered marks is significantly more effective and less costly
• Confers ability to recover monetary damages
• Enables licensing and royalty arrangements
• Protection extends throughout the Andean Community via Decision 486 mechanisms

Registrable Trademark Types

• Words, names, slogans
• Devices, logos, and symbols
• Three-dimensional shapes — Must be distinctive and not merely functional
• Color combinations — Must be arranged in a distinctive manner
• Sounds — Requires graphical representation such as a musical score
• Smells (olfactory marks) — Requires detailed description
• Trade dress — Filed as design or 3D mark
• Holograms — Requires multiple views
• Motion marks — Requires sequential images or video description
• Collective marks and certification marks

Andean Community Framework

Colombia is a member of the Andean Community (along with Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia), governed by Decision 486 on Intellectual Property. This framework harmonizes trademark procedures across member states. Multi-class applications are available, and Colombia has been a member of the Madrid Protocol since 2012.

Application Requirements

• Full name and address of the applicant
• Clear representation of the trademark
• List of goods or services with NICE class number
• Power of attorney (requirements vary by jurisdiction)
• Priority document if claiming Paris Convention priority (6-month window)

The Registration Process

• Filing: Application submitted electronically or in person to SIC
• Formal Examination: SIC checks completeness within approximately 15 business days
• Publication: Application published in the Official Gazette for opposition (30 days)
• Substantive Examination: SIC examines for distinctiveness, conflicts, and registrability
• Opposition: Third parties have 30 days from publication to file opposition
• Decision: SIC issues decision granting or refusing registration
• Registration: Certificate issued; valid for 10 years from grant date

Post-Registration

Registrations are valid for 10 years from the grant date and renewable for successive 10-year periods. There is a non-use cancellation provision: a mark may be cancelled if not used for three consecutive years. Renewal must be filed within six months before expiration or within a six-month grace period after.

Why Choose Proxario for Colombia Trademarks

Colombia is one of South America's fastest-growing economies and a key market for international brands. Proxario provides expert filing through SIC with flat-fee pricing covering all government fees, prosecution, and certificate delivery. As a Madrid Protocol member, Colombia is accessible for international filings as well.