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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Sri Lanka

To register a trademark in Sri Lanka, file with the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO). Sri Lanka is not a Madrid member, so you file directly; each application covers one class, and official fees are paid in three stages plus 18% VAT. Registration runs 10 years from the filing date, renewable every 10 years.

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Five questions first

Which route?Madrid is not available: file directly with the NIPO through a registered Sri Lankan agent. If your first application filed abroad is less than 6 months old, you can claim priority.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, an address for service in Sri Lanka, the mark (with a sworn translator's certified English translation of any Chinese or other foreign-script text), goods or services in one class, and a power of attorney.Details ↓How are official fees charged?One class per application. Companies pay LKR 3,450 to file, LKR 1,725–4,025 for publication depending on the number of words, and LKR 1,150 for the certificate, each plus 18% VAT.Details ↓How long does it take?The NIPO publishes no average time, so only statutory periods are listed: 3 months to cure formal defects, 1 month to reply to a refusal, 3 months for opposition after publication.Details ↓What are the main risks?One class per application; curing formal defects moves the filing date; surnames and place names in their ordinary meaning are unregistrable; foreign-script marks need a certified translation; 5 years of non-use allows cancellation by the court.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Sri Lanka: key facts

OfficeNational Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO), Colombo, established under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003; registration is administered by the Director-General of Intellectual Property. Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
Legal basisPart V of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003; the 2018, 2021 and 2022 amendments left the trademark application and registration procedure unchanged. Procedure: Intellectual Property Regulations No. 01 of 2006; fees: Intellectual Property Regulations No. 02 of 2019 (in force since 30 October 2019)
Basis of rightsRegistration; the first to file, or the first to validly claim priority, obtains the registration. A similar mark is refused if the applicant knew of another person's earlier unregistered mark or trade name in use in Sri Lanka
Madrid SystemNot a member: Sri Lanka cannot be designated through a Madrid international registration and must be filed directly; the NIPO website states that it has not yet acceded to the Madrid Protocol
Paris Convention and priorityMember since 29 December 1952; priority may be claimed within 6 months of the first filing in a Convention member, with a declaration at filing and a certified copy of the earlier application, certified by the office of first filing, within 3 months of filing with the NIPO
One class per applicationMulti-class applications are not allowed: the regulations limit each application to one class of the International Classification, so each further class needs a separate application
Foreign applicantsAn address for service by post in Sri Lanka is required; applications filed through an agent must be accompanied by a power of attorney, and the law accepts either a formal power of attorney or a letter of authorisation signed by the applicant. Registered agents must be citizens resident in Sri Lanka
Language and translationsThe NIPO provides application forms in English and Sinhala; if the mark contains characters other than Sinhala, Tamil or English (for example Chinese), an English translation certified by a sworn translator must be attached
Formal examination (statutory)Defects must be cured within 3 months of the notice, and the date of correction is deemed the date of receipt of the application; if the filing fee arrives after the application, the payment date becomes the filing date
Substantive examination and publication fee (statutory)Absolute grounds and earlier rights are examined; after a notice of refusal you have 1 month to reply in writing and request a hearing; once accepted, the publication fee is due within 2 months of the notice, or the application is refused
Opposition period (statutory)3 months from publication in the Government Gazette; the applicant has 3 months from receipt of the opposition to file observations and evidence; the Director-General may grant reasonable extensions
Registration and term (statutory)The registration date is the date the NIPO received the application; the term is 10 years from the registration date, renewable for 10 years at a time; renew within the 12 months before expiry, or within a 6-month grace period with a 10% surcharge
Non-use and invalidity (statutory)Any interested party may ask the court to cancel a mark not used in Sri Lanka for 5 consecutive years without a valid reason; an invalidity action based on another person's earlier rights must be brought within 5 years of the issue of the certificate
Official fees (per application, one class)Filing: LKR 3,450 for companies and other applicants, LKR 1,150 for individuals; publication: LKR 1,725 for up to 10 words of goods or services, LKR 2,875 for 11–20 words, LKR 4,025 for 21 words or more; registration certificate LKR 1,150; all plus 18% VAT

Checked on 2026-10-11; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

Direct filing: whether to claim priority

Sri Lanka is not a member of the Madrid System, so it cannot be designated through a Madrid international registration; applications are filed directly with the NIPO through a registered Sri Lankan agent. The real choice is whether to claim priority from an earlier application filed abroad.

ItemDirect filing (no priority claim)Claiming priority from an earlier application
PrerequisiteNone; use this route if you have no earlier application or it was filed more than 6 months agoFile with the NIPO within 6 months of your first application; if that application covers several classes, split it into one application per class in Sri Lanka, each of which can claim priority
Filing and registration dateThe date the NIPO receives the application (and the filing fee); once accepted, that day is the registration dateThe registration date is still the date of filing with the NIPO, but applications filed by others between your earlier filing date and your Sri Lankan filing date cannot be held against you
Extra stepsNoneAttach a written declaration at filing stating the date, number, applicant and country of the earlier application; within 3 months of filing, submit a copy certified by the office of first filing; if the Director-General requires it, an English translation certified by a sworn translator within 3 months
Official feesLKR 3,450 to file, plus publication and registration fees, each plus 18% VATSame as direct filing; the fee schedule lists no priority fee
RiskIf someone else files first in the gap between your earlier application and your Sri Lankan application, their filing can block yoursThe declaration must accompany the application and the supporting documents must follow within 3 months; if they are late, the NIPO records no priority on registration
Best forYou have not filed elsewhere yet, or your earlier application is more than 6 months oldYou filed elsewhere less than 6 months ago, especially if you are worried that someone may file first in Sri Lanka

If you are also covering South Asia, compare Trademark registration in India and Trademark registration in Pakistan: both can be designated through Madrid, while Sri Lanka, like Trademark registration in Bangladesh, requires direct filing.

Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will advise you based on the search results.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

Foreign companies and individuals filing through a registered Sri Lankan agent usually prepare the following. The application is made on NIPO Form M 01; no evidence of use is required.

Applicant

  • Name and full address; individuals and other applicants pay different filing fees, and foreign companies pay the "other applicants" rate
  • If you have no domicile in Sri Lanka, an address for service by post in Sri Lanka, usually the agent's address; the NIPO sends all documents and notices there

Mark

  • A clear representation no larger than 10 × 10 cm; word marks can simply be typed on the form
  • If the mark contains characters other than Sinhala, Tamil or English (for example Chinese), an English translation certified by a sworn translator
  • If colour is claimed, a colour representation and a claim; for three-dimensional marks, representations from at least two angles, so marked

Goods or services

  • One class of the International Classification and the specific goods or services; an application covers one class only, so each further class needs its own application
  • Keep the specification concise: the publication fee has three bands by word count (up to 10 words, 11–20 words, 21 words or more), and more words mean a higher fee

Priority

  • To claim priority from an earlier application filed abroad: file within 6 months of that first application and attach a declaration stating its date, number, applicant and country
  • Within 3 months of filing with the NIPO, submit a copy of the earlier application certified by the office of first filing; if the Director-General requires it, a certified English translation as well

Representation

  • Applications filed through an agent must be accompanied by a power of attorney; the law accepts either a formal power of attorney or a letter of authorisation signed by the applicant
  • The regulations set no notarisation or legalisation requirement, so sign the power of attorney and other documents as the agent instructs
  • Official fees for non-resident applicants are paid by the agent by bank draft payable to the Director-General
How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application with no objection and no opposition. Periods marked "statutory" are set by the Act or the regulations.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    The NIPO offers a free public trademark search on the WIPO Publish platform, searchable by word and by applicant

  2. Step 2

    Filing

    One Form M 01 per class, with the filing fee; if the fee arrives after the application, the payment date becomes the filing date

  3. Step 3

    Formal examination

    If statutory content is missing, cure the defect within 3 months of the notice (statutory); the date of correction is deemed the date of receipt

  4. Step 4

    Substantive examination

    Absolute grounds and earlier rights are examined; if refused, reply in writing within 1 month of the notice (statutory); the Director-General may hold a hearing, and after a refusal or conditional acceptance you have 3 months to request written reasons (statutory)

  5. Step 5

    Publication fee and publication

    Once accepted, the NIPO asks for the publication fee, due within 2 months of the notice (statutory); the application is then published in the Government Gazette

  6. Step 6

    Opposition period

    3 months from publication (statutory); if opposed, file observations and evidence within 3 months of receiving the opposition (statutory), with a hearing where needed

  7. Step 7

    Registration and certificate

    If there is no opposition, or it is rejected, pay the registration fee; the mark is entered in the register and the certificate issued, the registration date goes back to the date of receipt, and registration is published in the Gazette

The NIPO publishes no verifiable average examination time, so only statutory periods are listed. If registration is not completed within 12 months of filing for reasons attributable to the applicant, the NIPO issues a notice, and the application is deemed abandoned if it is still not completed within 3 months. Decisions of the Director-General can be appealed to the court (the Commercial High Court of Colombo) within 6 months.

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

Official fees are in Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) and charged per application; since each application covers one class, they are in effect charged per class. They are paid in three stages: the filing fee on filing, the publication fee after acceptance and the registration fee after the opposition period. Filing and renewal fees have two rates, for individuals and for other applicants; foreign companies pay the "other applicants" rate. The current rates were set by the Intellectual Property Regulations No. 02 of 2019, in force since 30 October 2019; VAT is added to all official fees, currently charged by the NIPO at 18%.

ItemChargedAmountApprox. USD
Paid on filing
Application fee (Form M 01, one class per application; applicants other than individuals, plus 18% VAT)Per class3,450 LKR≈ USD 10
Paid on registration
Publication fee (payable within 2 months of the notice after acceptance; list of goods/services up to 10 words, mark not larger than 4 × 4 cm, plus 18% VAT)Per class1,725 LKR≈ USD 5
Registration and certificate fee (payable after the opposition period, per application, plus 18% VAT)Per class1,150 LKR≈ USD 3
Payable when applicable
Publication fee where the list of goods/services has 11–20 words (replaces the basic publication fee, plus 18% VAT)Per class2,875 LKR≈ USD 9
Publication fee where the list of goods/services has 21 words or more (replaces the basic publication fee, plus 18% VAT)Per class4,025 LKR≈ USD 12
Additional publication fee where the representation of the mark is larger than 4 × 4 cm (in addition to the publication fee, plus 18% VAT)Per class2,300 LKR≈ USD 7
Keeping the registration
Renewal fee (Form M 05, payable within the 12 months before expiry, every 10 years; owners other than individuals, plus 18% VAT)Per class4,600 LKR≈ USD 14
Late renewal surcharge (within the 6-month grace period after expiry, 10% of the renewal fee, in addition to the renewal fee; owners other than individuals, plus 18% VAT)Per class460 LKR≈ USD 1
Other
Recordal of assignment or transmission (Form M 08, one mark; LKR 575 for each additional mark in the same application, plus 18% VAT)Per application2,300 LKR≈ USD 7
Recordal of change of name or address (one mark; LKR 575 for each additional mark in the same application, plus 18% VAT)Per application1,150 LKR≈ USD 3
Recordal of particulars of a licence contract, sub-licence, assignment or transmission (per request, plus 18% VAT)Per application1,150 LKR≈ USD 3

Source: National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka, Fees Structure ; Intellectual Property Regulations No. 02 of 2019 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2146/37) · current fees in force since 2019-10-30 · checked on 2026-10-11 · USD figures are approximate, converted at the Bank of China spot selling rate (or, for currencies it does not quote, at the central bank's published USD rate); the official fee is the amount in the original currency

Official fees are as published by the office; the service fee is quoted by an agent after you submit, and you pay only after accepting the quote.

Example: a foreign company applying for 1 class with a specification of up to 10 words pays filing fee LKR 3,450 + publication fee LKR 1,725 + registration fee LKR 1,150 = LKR 6,325, plus 18% VAT of LKR 1,138.50, LKR 7,463.50 in total. Two classes means two applications, LKR 14,927 in total.

The publication fee is LKR 2,875 for a specification of 11–20 words and LKR 4,025 for 21 words or more; if the representation is larger than 4 × 4 cm, a further LKR 2,300 is added. The filing fee for individuals is LKR 1,150. All amounts exclude VAT.

Renewal is LKR 4,600 per application (LKR 3,450 for individuals), with a 10% surcharge in the 6-month grace period after expiry; recording an assignment is LKR 2,300 per application; all plus 18% VAT.

Service fees, including the Sri Lankan local agent's fee, are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Sri Lanka and common refusals

These are the most common issues in Sri Lankan examination, together with rules specific to Sri Lanka that are easy to overlook.

One class per application

The regulations limit each application to one class of the International Classification. A multi-class application from your home country must be split into several applications in Sri Lanka, each with its own filing, publication and registration fees, and the publication fee rises with the word count. Settle the full list of classes before filing: a missed class needs a new application with a later filing date.

Curing formal defects moves the filing date

If an application lacks statutory content (such as the address for service, the class or the representation), you may cure the defect within 3 months of the NIPO's notice, but the Act deems the date of correction the date of receipt, and that is the registration date. If the filing fee arrives after the application, the payment date likewise becomes the filing date. Only a complete filing keeps the earliest date.

Surnames and place names in their ordinary meaning

The Act lists signs that "in their ordinary meaning are geographical names or surnames" as unregistrable, and personal or business names can only be registered when presented in a special form. If your mark is a founder's surname or a place name, rely on distinctive graphic design, or prepare evidence of use and reputation in Sri Lanka and other countries, which the Director-General must consider in examination.

Earlier use, well-known marks and filings by agents

A similar mark cannot be registered if the applicant knew, or could not have been unaware, of another person's earlier unregistered mark or trade name in use in Sri Lanka; nor can a mark identical or similar to a mark well known in Sri Lanka, or a translation or transliteration of it. The owner can block an application filed by its agent or representative without authority. If you find a bad-faith filing, oppose within 3 months of publication; once registered, an invalidity action based on earlier rights must be brought before the court within 5 years of the issue of the certificate.

Foreign-script marks need a certified translation; some words are barred

If the mark contains characters other than Sinhala, Tamil or English, an English translation certified by a sworn translator must accompany the application, and the meaning in the original language is examined for descriptiveness in the same way. The Director-General refuses marks containing words such as "President", "Minister", "State" or "Government" that suggest a government connection.

5 years of non-use allows cancellation by the court

If the owner has not used the mark in Sri Lanka, itself or through a licensee, for 5 consecutive years without a valid reason, any interested party may ask the court to cancel it; lack of funds is not a valid reason. Use on some of the goods in a class is enough to maintain the whole class. Keep invoices, advertising and other evidence of use after registration.

Free search: can your mark be registered in Sri Lanka?

Each account gets 1 free preliminary search a day: sign in, enter the mark and goods, and the report goes to your account and email.

Free search
After registration

Keeping the registration

A Sri Lankan registration lasts 10 years from the date of receipt of the application. No declaration of use is required during the term, but 5 consecutive years of non-use expose the mark to cancellation; renew on expiry and every 10 years thereafter.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Continuously after registrationUse the mark in Sri Lanka and keep evidence; after 5 consecutive years of non-use, any interested party may ask the court to cancel the registrationNone
Within 12 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsRenew (Form M 05); no re-examination and no opposition; renewal is published in the Government GazetteLKR 4,600 (LKR 3,450 for individuals), plus 18% VAT
Within 6 months after expiryRenew within the grace period; if the fee is still not paid, the Director-General removes the mark from the registerRenewal fee plus a 10% surcharge, plus VAT
At any timeRecord assignments (Form M 08): an unrecorded assignment has no effect against third parties; record changes of name or address; record licence contractsAssignment LKR 2,300 per application, plus LKR 575 for each additional mark in the same request; change of name or address LKR 1,150 per application; licence recordal LKR 1,150; all plus VAT

A mark that lapsed without renewal, or was abandoned, cancelled or invalidated, still blocks registration of confusingly similar marks by others for 2 years afterwards.

Brand registries on e-commerce platforms usually also require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Sri Lanka

How much does trademark registration in Sri Lanka cost?

Official fees are charged per application, each limited to one class, in three stages: a filing fee of LKR 3,450 for companies, a publication fee of LKR 1,725, 2,875 or 4,025 depending on the number of words in the specification, and a registration fee of LKR 1,150. One class with a specification of up to 10 words comes to LKR 6,325, or LKR 7,463.50 with 18% VAT. Individuals pay a filing fee of LKR 1,150. Service fees, including the local agent's fee, are quoted by the agent after you submit the order.

How long does trademark registration in Sri Lanka take?

The NIPO publishes no average examination time. The statutory milestones are: 3 months from the notice to cure formal defects; 1 month from a notice of refusal to reply; 2 months after acceptance to pay the publication fee; a 3-month opposition period from publication, with 3 months to respond if opposed. If registration is not completed within 12 months for reasons attributable to the applicant, the application is deemed abandoned unless completed within 3 months of the notice. Actual progress depends on the case.

Can I register a trademark in Sri Lanka through the Madrid System?

No. Sri Lanka is not a member of the Madrid System, so an international registration cannot designate it, and the NIPO website states that Sri Lanka has not yet acceded to the Madrid Protocol. You must file directly through a registered Sri Lankan agent. If your first application filed abroad is less than 6 months old, you can claim priority.

Can one application cover several classes in Sri Lanka?

No. The regulations limit each application to one class of the International Classification, and each application pays its own filing, publication and registration fees. A multi-class application from your home country must be split into several applications in Sri Lanka; if priority is claimed, each must carry the declaration and the certified copy of the earlier application.

Do foreign applicants need a local agent? Must the power of attorney be notarised?

The Act requires applicants without a domicile in Sri Lanka to provide an address for service by post in Sri Lanka, and registered agents must be citizens resident in Sri Lanka, so in practice foreign companies all file through an agent registered with the NIPO, who provides the address for service and pays the official fees. Applications filed through an agent must include a power of attorney; the law accepts either a formal power of attorney or a letter of authorisation signed by the applicant. Neither the Act nor the regulations require notarisation or legalisation, so sign as the agent instructs.

Can I register a mark in Chinese or another non-Latin script in Sri Lanka?

Yes, but an English translation certified by a sworn translator must accompany the application, and the meaning in the original language is examined for descriptiveness and for whether it is a place name or surname. If you target Sri Lankan consumers, you can also apply for the English or Latin-script version, filing each in its own single-class application.

Other IP rights

Patents: Sri Lankan patents last 20 years from the filing date, with annual fees from the 2nd year after grant; PCT applications can enter the national phase in Sri Lanka (a PCT member since 26 February 1982).

Industrial designs: registration lasts 5 years from the date of receipt of the application and can be renewed twice for 5 years each, up to 15 years; Sri Lanka is not a member of the Hague Agreement, so applications are filed directly with the NIPO.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

India　·　Bangladesh　·　Pakistan

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