™ How to Trademark a Name in Colombia: Requirements

To trademark a name in Colombia, an applicant must file a trademark application with the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio - SIC, identify the trademark and the goods or services it will distinguish, select the appropriate class or classes under the Nice Classification, and pay the applicable official filing fees. Depending on the circumstances, additional documents such as a power of attorney, priority documents or specific authorizations may also be required.

Before filing, it is strongly recommended to conduct a trademark clearance search to identify earlier identical or similar trademarks that could affect registration. Although a prior search is not a formal filing requirement, it can help evaluate registrability and reduce the risk of objections, oppositions or refusal.

It is also important to distinguish trademark registration from the registration of a company or business name. Registering a corporate name in the commercial registry does not automatically grant trademark protection. Trademark rights are obtained through the separate industrial property registration procedure administered by the SIC.

Requirements to trademark a name in Colombia

The main practical requirements and preparatory steps for filing a trademark application in Colombia are the following:

1. Conduct a trademark clearance search before filing

   A search should be conducted to identify earlier trademarks that may be identical or confusingly similar to the proposed name or logo. Depending on the trademark, the analysis may include word, phonetic and figurative elements, as well as the goods or services covered by earlier registrations or applications.

   A search should not be limited to finding identical names. The relevant question is whether an earlier right could create a likelihood of confusion or otherwise affect the registrability of the proposed trademark. For additional information, see our guide on trademark searches in Colombia.

2. Define the trademark and its scope of protection

   The applicant must determine exactly what is to be protected. A trademark may consist of a word or name alone, or may include figurative elements, a particular design, stylization or logo.

   The applicant must also identify the specific goods or services for which protection is sought and classify them under the Nice Classification. Colombia accepts multiclass trademark applications, meaning that a single application may cover goods or services belonging to more than one class, subject to payment of the corresponding fees.

3. Complete the trademark application

   The trademark application filed before the SIC must contain sufficient information to identify the applicant, the trademark and the scope of protection requested. Depending on the particular application, the information generally includes:

   • The applicant's identification and contact information, whether the applicant is an individual or a legal entity.
   • The name or representation of the trademark to be registered.
   • The goods or services that the trademark will identify.
   • The corresponding class or classes under the Nice Classification.
   • The applicant's representative or attorney information, when applicable.
   • Any color claim, translation, transliteration or other information required because of the particular characteristics of the trademark.

4. Pay the official filing fees and submit the applicable documents

   The applicable official fees must be paid when the trademark application is filed. The amount depends principally on the number of classes included in the application and on any legally applicable fee category or reduction. Supporting documents must also be submitted when required by the circumstances of the application.

Official SIC fees for 2026

For 2026, the official SIC fees applicable to online trademark applications are:

• Trademark application - first or single class: USD 410 (aprox.).
• Additional class included in the same application: USD 205 (aprox.).

These are official government fees and are separate from any professional fees charged by a trademark attorney or law firm for legal advice, clearance searches, classification, filing and prosecution of the application.

Documents that may be required

The documents required will depend on the type of trademark, the applicant and the circumstances of the filing. They may include:

• A reproduction or image of the trademark when the application includes figurative, graphic, stylized or mixed elements.
• A power of attorney when the application is filed through an attorney or representative, when applicable.
• Priority documentation when the applicant claims priority based on an earlier foreign application.
• Authorizations or supporting documents when required because of elements incorporated into the proposed trademark.
• Documents supporting eligibility for a reduced official fee when the applicant seeks to benefit from a legally available fee reduction.

For a purely word-based trademark without special graphic features, a separate logo file is generally unnecessary because the denomination itself identifies the sign being claimed. When protection is sought for a logo, stylized wording or another figurative element, the corresponding representation must be included in the application.

What happens after the trademark application is filed?

After filing, the SIC reviews the application for compliance with the applicable formal requirements. The application may subsequently be published so that third parties have the opportunity to file oppositions, and the SIC will examine whether the trademark complies with the legal requirements for registration before issuing its decision.

Filing an application does not guarantee registration. The outcome depends on the characteristics of the trademark, earlier rights, the goods or services involved and the applicable grounds for refusal under Colombian and Andean trademark law.

Legal assistance for trademark registration in Colombia

An experienced trademark attorney can assist with the clearance analysis, determine the appropriate filing strategy, define the goods and services to be protected, prepare the application and handle objections, oppositions or other issues that may arise during prosecution before the SIC.

A careful filing strategy is particularly important because the scope of protection obtained depends on both the trademark submitted and the goods or services identified in the application.

Would you like to register a trademark or check if it is available?

Complete this form. A specialized attorney will review your case and recommend the best strategy to protect your trademark.

First name *

Last name *

Phone *

Email *

Trademark name *

I have read and accept the Personal Data Protection Policy.

Request a consultation

Requirements to register a trademark in Colombia: Video explanation

▶