Trademark Registration in Colombia: Process, Costs, and Why Not to Wait
## Why register your trademark?
In Colombia, whoever registers a trademark first holds the rights to it — not whoever used it first. Operating without registration exposes your business to someone else registering your name and forcing you to rebrand.
Registration with the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) grants you: - Exclusive right to use the trademark in Colombia - The right to stop others from using similar signs in your sector - The ability to license or transfer it (it has commercial value) - Protection for 10 years, renewable indefinitely
What can be registered as a trademark?
- Names and words (word marks)
- Logos and images (figurative marks)
- A combination of name + logo (mixed marks)
- Specific colors, three-dimensional shapes, sounds (non-traditional marks)
The Nice Classification system
Trademarks are registered by classes of goods and services under the International Nice Classification (45 classes). Choosing the right classes is essential.
Examples: - Class 41: education and training - Class 42: technology and software services - Class 45: legal and security services
If you register in class 45 but later also want to sell software, you'll need a separate registration in class 42.
Steps in the process
Step 1: Prior search Before filing, check whether an identical or similar trademark already exists in the same classes on the SIC Marcas portal (marcastur.sic.gov.co). If it does, your application will likely be rejected.
Step 2: Filing the application Done online through the SIC portal. You must provide: - The trademark's name or image - A list of goods or services - The Nice class(es) - Payment of the filing fee
Step 3: Formal review The SIC checks that the application is complete (5–15 days).
Step 4: Publication in the Industrial Property Gazette Third parties have 30 business days to oppose the registration.
Step 5: Substantive review The SIC analyzes whether the trademark is registrable and whether similar earlier trademarks exist (3–6 months).
Step 6: Approval or rejection If there are no oppositions or issues, the SIC issues the registration certificate.
Total time: 6 to 18 months on average.
Costs (2025)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application per class (individual) | $1,105,000 COP |
| Application per class (legal entity) | $1,844,000 COP |
| Renewal (every 10 years) | Similar to registration |
| Lawyer's fees (recommended) | $800,000 – $2,000,000 COP |
Common mistakes when registering
- Not doing a prior search — the application gets rejected and you lose the fee
- Choosing the wrong classes — they don't protect you where you actually operate
- A description that's too generic — "all services" isn't accepted
- Not renewing in time — the trademark lapses and becomes available to others
- Not monitoring the registry — others may register similar trademarks, and you need to oppose them
Trademark vs. trade name vs. legal company name
These are three different things: - Legal company name: the name under which the company is registered with the Chamber of Commerce (doesn't grant trademark rights) - Trade name: the name the business is known by to the public (limited, regional protection) - Registered trademark: nationwide, exclusive protection for 10 years, renewable
Having a company registered with the Chamber under a certain name does not protect you against someone else registering that same name as a trademark.
Do you have a business, startup, or product and haven't registered your trademark yet? The process can take more than a year — the sooner you start, the better. We can advise you on class strategy and guide you through the process.
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