# Trademark registration in Cuba

> Trademarks in Cuba are registered with the Oficina Cubana de la Propiedad Industrial (OCPI); third parties can oppose within 60 days from the circulation of the Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Cuba can be designated through the Madrid System.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/cuba
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** Oficina Cubana de la Propiedad Industrial (Cuban Industrial Property Office) (OCPI)
- **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 1995
- **Opposition period:** 60 days from the circulation of the Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** Allowed
- **Foreign applicants:** Foreign applicants without a real and effective domicile or industrial or commercial establishment in Cuba must be repr…

## Official links
- Law: Decree-Law No. 203 of 24 December 1999 on Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/897
- Law: Regulations of Decree-Law No. 203 (Resolution No. 63/2000) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/898
- Law: Resolution No. 253 of 2017 on use of the Eleventh Edition of the Nice Classification — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/21649
- Law: Resolution No. 25-2001 on customs retention of goods infringing IP rights — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/904

## Steps
1. Search OCPI's national trademark database for similar earlier marks.
2. Foreign applicants without a real and effective domicile or establishment in Cuba appoint an Official Industrial Property Agent (Agente Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial).
3. File the application with OCPI, listing goods and services under the Nice Classification (one application can cover several classes), or designate Cuba in a Madrid international registration.
4. OCPI examines formalities and publishes the application in the Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial.
5. Third parties may file observations, and holders of earlier rights may oppose, within 60 days of the Bulletin's circulation; the applicant has 30 days to respond.
6. After substantive examination, OCPI grants the registration; the grant fee must be paid within 30 days of notification or the application is treated as abandoned.

- **Examination:** OCPI examines formalities and then substantive grounds (absolute and relative); the substantive examination is to be completed within one year of filing, according to commentary on Decree-Law No. 203.
- **Publication:** Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial (BOPI), published by OCPI (Decree-Law No. 203, art. 22)
- **Opposition:** 60 days from the circulation of the Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial (Decree-Law No. 203, art. 23); the applicant then has 30 days to respond
- **Late renewal:** Renewal is requested in the 6 months before expiry; a further 6-month grace period after expiry is available with a surcharge (Decree-Law No. 203, arts. 49–50)
- **Language:** Spanish; documents in another language need a Spanish translation, filed within 60 days of the filing date (Decree-Law No. 203, art. 6.2)
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 3 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- Cuba has been a member of the Madrid Protocol since 26 December 1995, so it can be designated in an international registration.
- Foreign owners without a domicile or establishment in Cuba must act through an Official Industrial Property Agent.
- A registration lapses if the mark is not effectively used in Cuba for three consecutive years without justification (Decree-Law No. 203, art. 64).
- The grant fee must be paid within 30 days of notification of the grant, or the grant has no effect.
- A customs measure (Resolution No. 25-2001) allows the retention of imported goods that infringe IP rights.

## FAQ
### Is Cuba part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol entered into force for Cuba on 26 December 1995, so Cuba can be designated in an international trademark registration.

### How long is the trademark opposition period in Cuba?
Sixty days from the circulation of the Boletín Oficial de la Propiedad Industrial in which the application is published.

### How long does a trademark registration last in Cuba?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for 10-year periods; renewal is due in the 6 months before expiry, with a further 6-month grace period and surcharge.

### Do foreign companies need a local agent to register a trademark in Cuba?
Yes, if they have no real and effective domicile or establishment in Cuba: they must be represented by an Official Industrial Property Agent.

### Can a Cuban trademark be cancelled for non-use?
Yes. A registration lapses if the mark is not effectively used in Cuba for three consecutive years without justification.

### Can one Cuban trademark application cover several classes?
Yes. Decree-Law No. 203 introduced multi-class applications.

## Sources
- WIPO Lex – Cuba profile: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/members/profile/CU
- WIPO Lex – Decree-Law No. 203 on Trademarks: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/897
- WIPO Lex – Regulations of Decree-Law No. 203: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/898
- WIPO Lex – Resolution No. 253 of 2017 (Nice 11th edition): https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/21649
- WIPO Lex – Decree No. 54 on the Country Brand: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/21648
- WIPO Lex – Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/ShowResults?search_what=C&treaty_id=8

Need a firm that files in Cuba? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/cuba (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.