# Trademark registration in Sri Lanka

> 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.

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

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO)
- **Official fee:** LKR 1,150 — Application for registration of each mark, individual applicant
- **Madrid Protocol:** Not a member
- **Opposition period:** 3 months from publication
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** No — one class per application

## Official links
- Trademark office: https://www.nipo.gov.lk
- Law: Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/6705
- Law: Intellectual Property Regulations No. 01 of 2006 — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/6707
- Law: Intellectual Property Regulations No. 02 of 2019 (amended fees), Gazette Extraordinary No. 2146/37 — https://www.documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2019/10/2146-37_E.pdf

## Official fees (as of 2019-10)
- Application for registration of each mark, individual applicant: LKR 1,150 — Charged per mark; separate applications are filed per class
- 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

## Steps
1. Search the register for earlier conflicting marks in the relevant class.
2. File a separate application for each class with NIPO, with representations of the mark and the fee.
3. NIPO examines the application as to form and substance, including distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier marks.
4. Respond to any objections raised by the Registrar.
5. Accepted marks are published in the Government Gazette for opposition.
6. If no opposition is filed within 3 months, pay the registration fee and the certificate is issued, effective from the filing date.

- **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:** 3 months from publication
- **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.

## Good to know
- 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.

## FAQ
### Is Sri Lanka part of the Madrid Protocol?
No. Sri Lanka is not a member of the Madrid System, so trademarks must be filed directly with the National Intellectual Property Office.

### How much does it cost to register a trademark in Sri Lanka?
Under the 2019 fee regulations the application fee is 3,450 LKR per mark for companies (1,150 LKR for individuals) and the registration fee is 1,150 LKR. Separate applications are needed for each class.

### How long is the opposition period in Sri Lanka?
Third parties may oppose within 3 months of the mark's publication in the Government Gazette.

### How long does a trademark registration last in Sri Lanka?
A registration lasts 10 years, counted from the filing date, and can be renewed. Late renewal is possible within 6 months after expiry with a 10% surcharge.

## Sources
- Gazette Extraordinary No. 2146/37 (Intellectual Property Regulations No. 02 of 2019, fees): https://www.documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2019/10/2146-37_E.pdf
- NIPO: Fees schedule (older version): https://www.nipo.gov.lk/web/images/pdf_downloads/information/Fees.pdf
- WIPO Lex: Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/6705
- WIPO Lex: Sri Lanka member profile: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/members/profile/LK
- 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 Sri Lanka? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/sri-lanka (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.