Trademark registration in Sri LankaQuick answer
Trademarks in Sri Lanka are registered with the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO); the official fee is LKR 1,150, and third parties can oppose within 3 months from publication. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Sri Lanka is not in the Madrid System, so a national filing is needed.
Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources
- Office
- NIPO
- Official fee
- LKR 1,150
- Madrid Protocol
- Not a member
- Opposition
- 3 months from publication
- Protection
- 10 years from filing date
- Multi-class filing
- One class per application
Featured trademark firms in Sri Lanka
Featured places go to the firms with the highest monthly bid. Bid for a place →
The trademark office and official links
Trademarks in Sri Lanka are registered by the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO).
Official fees in Sri Lanka
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application for registration of each mark, individual applicant Charged per mark; separate applications are filed per class | LKR 1,150 |
| Application for registration of each mark, other applicants (companies etc.) | LKR 3,450 |
| Application, collective or certification mark | LKR 5,750 |
| Registration of a mark and issue of certificate | LKR 1,150 |
| Renewal, individual owner | LKR 3,450 |
| Renewal, other owners | LKR 4,600 |
| Renewal surcharge (late renewal) 10% of the renewal fee | — |
Official office fees only (schedule as of 2019-10). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.
How to register a trademark in Sri Lanka
- Search the register for earlier conflicting marks in the relevant class.
- File a separate application for each class with NIPO, with representations of the mark and the fee.
- NIPO examines the application as to form and substance, including distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier marks.
- Respond to any objections raised by the Registrar.
- Accepted marks are published in the Government Gazette for opposition.
- If no opposition is filed within 3 months, pay the registration fee and the certificate is issued, effective from the filing date.
Examination, publication and opposition
- Examination: The Registrar at NIPO examines applications as to form and substance (distinctiveness, deceptiveness and conflicting marks). No official examination time was found.
- Publication: Government Gazette
- Opposition period: 3 months from publication
Protection, renewal and use
- Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
- Late renewal: 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge of 10% of the renewal fee
- Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
- Rights system: first to file.
Madrid Protocol
Sri Lanka is not a member of the Madrid System, so an international registration cannot cover it. You need a national filing, usually through a local agent.
Trademark classes
Nice Classification (45 classes). Each application covers one class, so file one application per class. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.
How Sri Lanka compares
- Opposition: 3 months from publication — compare all countries
- Renewal: every 10 years; grace period 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge of 10% of the renewal fee — compare all countries
Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid
Good to know in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka is not a member of the Madrid System, so protection must be sought by a national application.
- Applications are filed one class per application, so a mark covering several classes needs several applications and fees.
- Official fees differ for individual applicants and companies, and VAT may be added to official fees.
- Registration takes effect from the filing date of the application.