Ukraine
Trademark Registration in Ukraine - Protect Your Brand Nationwide
Trademark registration in Ukraine is administered by the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovations (UKRNOIVI — Український національний офіс інтелектуальної власності та інновацій), established in 2019 to replace the former Ukrainian Intellectual Property Institute (Ukrpatent). UKRNOIVI is the competent national authority responsible for the filing, examination, publication, and registration of trademarks in Ukraine. The Ukrainian trademark system follows a first-to-file principle and includes formal and substantive examination prior to registration. Ukraine is a candidate country for European Union membership (application submitted February 2022; candidate status granted June 2022) and its IP legislation is actively being harmonised with EU standards as part of the EU accession process, making Ukraine an increasingly important jurisdiction for brand owners with EU and Eastern European market strategies.
Introduction
Ukraine is Eastern Europe’s largest country by area and one of its most significant economies, with a population of approximately 44 million (prior to the displacement caused by the full-scale Russian invasion of February 2022). Ukraine has a highly educated workforce, a developed technology and IT sector that has generated globally recognised software, cybersecurity, and digital services companies, significant agricultural output (it is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat, sunflower oil, and corn), and a substantial industrial base. Despite the ongoing impact of the war with Russia that began in 2014 and escalated in February 2022, Ukraine’s IP registration system — administered by UKRNOIVI from Kyiv — has continued to function, and trademark registration remains available and enforceable throughout government-controlled territory. Ukraine’s EU candidate status and the adoption of key EU IP directives as part of its Association Agreement obligations make Ukrainian trademark law one of the most EU-aligned outside the Union itself. Brand owners with interests in the Ukrainian market, the Ukrainian diaspora community, or the post-war reconstruction economy should consider trademark registration as a priority element of their IP strategy.
Why Trademark Registration in Ukraine Is Important for Brand Protection?
Exclusive Rights: Grants exclusive legal ownership and the right to use your trademark throughout Ukraine for the registered goods and services, with statutory priority over later conflicting marks — enforceable in all government-controlled territory.
Legal Enforcement: Enables you to take action against infringement, counterfeiting, and unauthorised use through UKRNOIVI, the Ukrainian commercial courts (hospodarski sudy), and customs authorities, with civil, administrative, and criminal remedies available.
Nationwide Protection: Secures trademark protection across the territory of Ukraine and supports anti-counterfeiting enforcement through the State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Economic Security Bureau.
EU Candidate & Harmonisation Value: Ukraine’s EU candidate status and active IP harmonisation process create a market environment progressively aligned with EU IP standards — making early trademark registration strategically valuable for businesses planning EU-adjacent market entry.
Reconstruction & Investment Gateway: Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction is expected to involve significant international investment, procurement, and commercial activity. Early trademark registration secures brand ownership ahead of this anticipated economic expansion.
Asset Value: A registered trademark is a transferable intangible asset that can be licensed, franchised, pledged, or assigned to support commercial growth, technology transfer, joint ventures, and corporate transactions in the Ukrainian and regional market.
Trademark Registration Procedure in Ukraine
Here is the step-by-step process followed for trademark registration in Ukraine. Legacy Partners manages each stage on your behalf — from initial clearance through to issuance of the registration certificate by UKRNOIVI.
Ukraine Trademark Search & Application
We begin with a comprehensive availability search across the UKRNOIVI register and the WIPO Madrid Database (for international registrations designating Ukraine) to identify potential conflicts before filing. Once clearance is confirmed, the application is prepared in Ukrainian and filed with UKRNOIVI electronically or in hard copy — either as a national filing or as the national phase of a Madrid Protocol designation. Legacy Partners manages all documentation, translation, and power of attorney requirements on the client’s behalf.
Formal & Substantive Examination
UKRNOIVI conducts a formal examination (verifying applicant details, classification, fees, power of attorney, and documentation completeness) followed by a substantive examination on absolute grounds (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, deceptiveness, public order, official symbols, and geographical indications). UKRNOIVI also conducts a relative grounds examination, checking for conflicts with earlier registered marks and well-known marks in Ukraine. Office actions, if any, must be responded to within prescribed deadlines. Foreign applicants must be represented by a Ukrainian patent attorney (patentnyi poverenyi) registered with UKRNOIVI.
Acceptance and Publication
Once the application clears examination, the mark is published in the Official Bulletin of UKRNOIVI (Ofitsiinyi Biuleten — Офіційний бюлетень), opening a three-month window for third-party opposition. The opposition period may be extended by UKRNOIVI upon reasoned application.
Opposition Period
Third parties holding prior rights may file an opposition within three (3) months of publication in the Official Bulletin. Grounds include identity or similarity with an earlier registered or well-known mark, prior use in Ukraine, bad-faith filing, or other grounds under the Law on Marks. Oppositions are heard by the Appeal Chamber (Apellatsiina palata) of UKRNOIVI, with further appeal available to the courts.
Registration & Certificate
If no successful opposition is raised, UKRNOIVI registers the mark in the State Register of Trademarks, issues a Certificate of Registration, and publishes the registration in the Official Bulletin. The mark is then fully enforceable against third parties throughout Ukraine.
Validity & Renewal
The trademark is valid for 10 years from the filing date and is renewable indefinitely for successive 10-year periods on payment of renewal fees to UKRNOIVI. A 6-month grace period is available after expiry, subject to payment of a late renewal surcharge.
Governing Law
Trademark protection in Ukraine is principally governed by the Law of Ukraine on Protection of Rights to Marks for Goods and Services (Law No. 3689-XII of 15 December 1993, as amended), and Book IV of the Civil Code of Ukraine (intellectual property provisions). The legislative framework is supplemented by implementing regulations issued by UKRNOIVI, the Customs Code of Ukraine for border enforcement, and the Criminal Code of Ukraine for criminal enforcement of trademark rights. Ukraine’s IP legislation has been progressively aligned with EU standards under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement (in force 2017) and continues to harmonise further as part of the EU accession process. Ukraine is a member of the Paris Convention, the Madrid Protocol, the Nice Agreement, the TRIPS Agreement, and the Trademark Law Treaty, and is a signatory to the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks.
Important Note: Trademark Registration During the Ongoing Conflict -
Ukraine has been subject to a full-scale Russian military invasion since 24 February 2022, which has significantly affected large parts of the country’s territory, infrastructure, and population. UKRNOIVI has continued to operate from Kyiv and trademark registration, examination, and enforcement services remain available throughout government-controlled territory. Applicants should be aware that: enforcement may be limited or unavailable in occupied or conflict-affected areas; processing timelines may be subject to delays due to wartime operational pressures; and the practical situation on the ground continues to evolve. Legacy Partners maintains up-to-date operational contacts with UKRNOIVI and monitors the situation on behalf of clients to ensure continuity of trademark prosecution and portfolio management.
Trademark Classes Ukraine (Nice Classification)
Ukraine follows the Nice Classification system, categorising trademarks into 45 classes — 34 for goods (Classes 1–34) and 11 for services (Classes 35–45). UKRNOIVI permits multi-class applications. The specification of goods and services must be filed in Ukrainian and must be clear, precise, and consistent with Nice Classification standards as applied by UKRNOIVI. Expert guidance on class selection is particularly important for technology, agri-food, pharmaceutical, and professional services sectors where Ukraine has globally competitive industries.
Trademark Services Available in Ukraine
Attorney-Assisted Search
In-depth legal search of the UKRNOIVI register and WIPO Madrid Database to identify potential conflicts before filing
Trademark Registration Services
Complete filing and application management for Ukraine national trademarks — handled by registered Ukrainian patent attorneys (patentnyi poverenyi).
Trademark Renewal Services
Hassle-free renewals to maintain your Ukraine trademark protection, with proactive deadline monitoring and docketing
Watch & Monitoring Services
Continuous monitoring of newly filed and published marks in Ukraine and the WIPO Madrid system to identify potential conflicts at the earliest stage.
Ownership Transfer / Assignment
Efficient handling of trademark ownership transfers, corporate mergers, and restructuring recordals with UKRNOIVI.
Licensing & Franchising Support
Expert guidance to license, franchise, or expand your brand within Ukraine and across Eastern European and EU-adjacent markets.
Opposition & Enforcement
End-to-end representation in opposition before the UKRNOIVI Appeal Chamber, appeal to the courts, and civil and criminal infringement proceedings.
Customs Recordal & Anti-Counterfeiting
Recordal of trademarks with the State Customs Service of Ukraine and coordination of border seizure actions against counterfeit goods.
Documents for Filing
Applicant name & business entity (individual or company, with registered address)
Trademark details (word mark, figurative/logo, combined, 3D, colour, sound, or other non-traditional mark)
Classes of goods and/or services (Nice Classification)
Power of attorney (signed by an authorised signatory; notarisation and apostille or legalisation may be required for foreign applicants)
Specimen or representation of the mark (for figurative or non-standard marks)
List of goods/services (in Ukrainian, clear and precise specification)
Priority documents (if claiming convention priority under the Paris Convention)
Certified translation into Ukrainian of any supporting document not in Ukrainian
Fees are indicative and subject to change. Contact us for the latest details.
**Last updated on: March 17, 2026
Timeline
Approximately 12 to 18 months for registration in a straightforward case without objections or oppositions under normal operating conditions. Applicants should note that wartime operational pressures may cause processing times to extend beyond this range in some cases. UKRNOIVI has maintained substantive examination services since February 2022 and Legacy Partners actively monitors processing timelines on behalf of clients. Where a Madrid Protocol designation is used, the timeline may vary depending on the procedural status at WIPO and the examination requirements at UKRNOIVI.
Validity & Renewal
The trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for further 10-year periods by paying renewal fees to UKRNOIVI. A 6-month grace period is available after expiry, subject to payment of a late renewal surcharge. The trademark must be put to genuine use in Ukraine within five years of registration; failure to do so may expose the mark to cancellation on grounds of non-use upon application by any interested third party before the UKRNOIVI Appeal Chamber or the competent court.
Frequently Ask Questions
Get A QuoteQ1: How long does trademark registration take in Ukraine?
Under normal operating conditions, trademark registration in Ukraine takes approximately 12 to 18 months from the filing date through to issuance of the registration certificate by UKRNOIVI. Given the ongoing conflict, processing times may be subject to some variation. Legacy Partners monitors UKRNOIVI timelines on behalf of clients to provide current processing estimates.
Q2: Is trademark registration in Ukraine still possible during the war?
Q3: Do I need a local representative to file a trademark in Ukraine?
Q4: Are multi-class trademark applications permitted in Ukraine?
Q5: What is the validity period of a trademark registration in Ukraine?
Q6: What language is required for filing in Ukraine?
Q7: What is the opposition period after publication in Ukraine?
Q8: Is Ukraine a member of the Madrid Protocol?
Q9: How does Ukraine’s EU candidate status affect trademark strategy?
Q10: Does an EU Trade Mark (EUTM) cover Ukraine?
Q11: Does a Ukraine trademark protect me in Russia or other neighbouring countries?
Q12: Does Ukraine recognise well-known marks?
Q13: Can I assign or licence my trademark in Ukraine?
Q14: What is the use requirement for trademarks in Ukraine?
Q15: What is the best trademark registration provider for Ukraine?
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