Trademark registration in LiechtensteinQuick answer
Trademarks in Liechtenstein are registered with the Office of Economic Affairs, Bureau of Intellectual Property (AVW); the official filing fee is CHF 400 for up to 3 classes, and third parties can oppose within 3 months from publication of the registration. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Liechtenstein can be designated through the Madrid System.
Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources
- Office
- AVW
- Official fee
- CHF 400 / up to 3 classes
- Madrid Protocol
- Member since 1998
- Opposition
- 3 months from publication of the registration (…
- Protection
- 10 years from filing date
- Multi-class filing
- Allowed
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The trademark office and official links
Trademarks in Liechtenstein are registered by the Office of Economic Affairs (Amt für Volkswirtschaft), Bureau of Intellectual Property (AVW).
- Trademark office: Office of Economic Affairs (Amt für Volkswirtschaft), Bureau of Intellectual Property (AVW)
- Trademark search: official trademark database
- Law: Law of 12 December 1996 on the Protection of Trademarks and Indications of Source (Markenschutzgesetz, LGBl. 1997 No. 60, LR 232.11)
- Law: Trademark Protection Ordinance (Markenschutzverordnung)
- Law: Regulation on the Collection of Fees under the Trademark Protection Act (2006)
Official fees in Liechtenstein
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (includes up to 3 classes) | CHF 400 |
| Each class above three applies at filing and at renewal | CHF 50 |
| Renewal fee (includes up to 3 classes) | CHF 400 |
| Additional fee for late renewal (within 6 months after expiry) | CHF 100 |
| Further-processing fee | CHF 100 |
Official office fees only (schedule as of 2013-04). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.
How to register a trademark in Liechtenstein
- Search the Online Trademark and Design Register for earlier identical or similar marks.
- Complete the Office of Economic Affairs application form with the applicant's name and address, any representative, a representation of the mark and an exact list of goods or services.
- Pay the official fees and file the application, with proof of payment, at the Office of Economic Affairs; the filing date is the day a complete application is received.
- The Office examines the application for absolute and relative grounds for exclusion under the Trademark Protection Act.
- If no ground for exclusion applies, the mark is entered in the Liechtenstein trademark register and the registration is published in the official gazette.
- The owner or representative receives a confirmation of registration after publication.
Examination, publication and opposition
- Examination: The Office of Economic Affairs examines applications against the absolute and relative grounds for exclusion set out in the Trademark Protection Act; no official processing time is stated.
- Publication: Registrations are published in the official gazette after entry in the register.
- Opposition period: 3 months from publication of the registration (secondary source; the Office lists an opposition procedure among its services)
Protection, renewal and use
- Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
- Late renewal: 6 months after expiry, with an additional fee of CHF 100. Renewal can be requested no earlier than 12 months before expiry.
- Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
Filing from abroad
- Local agent: Persons without a domicile, seat or establishment in Liechtenstein, the EEA or Switzerland can take part in proceedings only through a representative based in Liechtenstein; persons based in the EEA or Switzerland need only a domestic agent for service (Trademark Protection Act, Art. 39).
Firms on TrademarksHub that cover Liechtenstein can act as your local agent — see firms.
Madrid Protocol
Liechtenstein is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 1998). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.
Trademark classes
Goods and services are grouped into the 45 Nice classes. One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.
How Liechtenstein compares
- Opposition: 3 months from publication of the registration (secondary source; the Office lists an opposition procedure among its services) — compare all countries
- Renewal: every 10 years; grace period 6 months after expiry, with an additional fee of CHF 100. Renewal can be requested no earlier than 12 months before expiry. — compare all countries
- Foreign owners: required — rules in every country
- Official search: www.llv.li — all search databases
Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid
Good to know in Liechtenstein
- Liechtenstein is in the European Economic Area but not the EU, so EU trade marks do not cover Liechtenstein; a national filing or a Madrid designation is needed.
- Liechtenstein has been party to the Madrid Agreement since 14 July 1933 and to the Madrid Protocol since 17 March 1998.
- The registration runs for 10 years from the filing date, not the registration date.
- A registered mark that has not been used for an uninterrupted five years after registration can no longer be enforced unless there are important reasons for non-use.
- Marks need not be represented graphically, but the representation must be clear, precise, durable and objective; sounds, colours and shapes can be registered.