How to register a trademark in Uruguay with the DNPI

    Trademark registration in Uruguay is handled by the National Directorate of Industrial Property (DNPI), part of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining. Fees are not set in pesos but in Indexed Units (UI), which are adjusted daily for inflation, so the actual amount depends on the day you pay. And there is a benefit most applicants are unaware of: companies holding a DINAPYME SME certificate get an 80 % discount on official fees, which brings the cost of a word mark in one class down to a fifth. Registration lasts 10 years and is renewable, but the trademark must be used: five years without use allow any third party to request its cancellation.

    Trademark registration in Uruguay — procedure at a glance
    Competent officeDNPI — National Directorate of Industrial Property (MIEM)
    Where to fileOnline Filing System (SPL) at rad.miem.gub.uy, or in person at Rincón 719, ground floor, Montevideo
    Official fee — word mark1,121 UI for the first class · 673 UI for each additional class
    Official fee — combined mark1,569 UI for the first class · 897 UI for each additional class
    SME discount80 % off the fees by submitting a valid DINAPYME certificate when filing
    Third-party opposition period30 calendar days from publication in the Industrial Property Gazette
    Estimated total time6 to 12 months without oppositions or office actions
    Term of registration10 years, renewable indefinitely for equal periods
    Use requirementLaw 17,011, art. 19: five uninterrupted years without use allow an interested third party to request cancellation of the registration
    Trademark Registration in Uruguay

    Protect Your Brand in Uruguay

    The trademark registration grants exclusive rights of use throughout the Uruguayan territory, safeguards your commercial identity and blocks imitations or attempts to copy. Our law firm takes care of every stage of the process so you can focus on growing your business.

    What we do for you:

    • Prior analysis of the existence of similar marks
    • Technical study and classification according to Nice
    • Submission of the file to the DNPI
    • Management of oppositions or observations
    • Full follow-up to official award
    SPECIALISTS IN URUGUAY

    Our Trademark Registration Service in Uruguay Includes

    Search for registry records to avoid rejections.

    Review and definition of the class according to products or services.

    Technical preparation of the file and submission to DNPI

    Answering oppositions, observations or objections.

    Advantages of Registering Your Trademark in Uruguay

    Legal protection against copying or misuse.

    Exclusive right of use in Uruguay.

    Increased business value for your company or product.

    Possibility to license, franchise or sell your brand.

    Legal certainty to grow in new markets.

    Legal support from a firm with more than 80 years of experience.

    Our Services

    Trademark Matter

    Our trademark services provide specialized legal protection and advice for companies and entrepreneurs who wish to safeguard their trademarks. As expert intellectual property lawyers, we understand the importance of a distinctive and strong brand in today’s marketplace.

    The approach is based on providing customized solutions for each client, from the selection of a suitable trademark to the registration and defense of intellectual property rights. We conduct extensive searches to verify trademark availability, draft and file registration applications, and handle communications and paperwork with trademark offices.

    In addition, in the event of violations or disputes, our team of lawyers is prepared to defend our clients’ rights and take the necessary steps to protect their interests.

    Our experience and knowledge in the trademark field allow us to provide a comprehensive and efficient service, ensuring that our clients’ trademarks are adequately protected and comply with the legal requirements for their successful use in the market.

    Trust our trademark services to protect your brand and strengthen your commercial presence. We are committed to providing you with solid and strategic legal solutions to ensure the success of your brand in the competitive business world.

    Brand Protection and Strengthening

    Some of our services in trademark matters.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Trademark Registration in Uruguay

    How long does it take to register a trademark in Uruguay?

    The process can take between 10 and 14 months, depending on objections or external opposition.

    Can I register my trademark in Uruguay if I am already using it commercially?

    Yes. It is even advisable to do so as soon as possible to protect it legally and avoid future conflicts.

    What if there is a brand similar to mine?

    We carry out a preliminary search to assess risks and advise you on modifications or alternative strategies.

    Do I have to submit specific documents?

    Yes, information about the owner, logo if applicable and the class of products/services is required. We prepare the entire file.

    What happens if I don't register my trademark in Uruguay?

    Any third party could use it or even register it before, generating legal conflicts, loss of identity and commercial risk.

    How much does it cost to register a trademark in Uruguay?

    The cost varies according to the number of classes and whether there is design or figurative. We send you a detailed quote after the initial analysis.

    What types of trademarks can be registered in Uruguay?

    In Uruguay you can register word marks (words or names), figurative marks (logos and images), combined marks (a mix of text and design), three-dimensional marks (shapes or packaging), sound marks and, since 2024, new subtypes such as position, pattern, motion and multimedia marks. The type you choose directly affects the scope of protection. Read our detailed guide to all registrable trademark types in Uruguay (in Spanish).

    Is it mandatory to hire a lawyer to register a trademark in Uruguay?

    It is not mandatory. Anyone can file a registration application directly with the DNPI. However, specialized advice significantly reduces the risk of formal errors, office actions, oppositions not answered in time and abandonments due to missed deadlines — situations that can bring down a valid application. Find out when and why it pays to hire a trademark lawyer (in Spanish).

    Does registering the trademark guarantee that nobody can use a similar name?

    Registration grants exclusive rights, but it does not prevent third parties from filing new applications for similar trademarks. To detect them in time and be able to oppose them within the 30-day legal deadline, you need an active monitoring system. More than 6,000 trademark applications are filed in Uruguay every year, so continuous watching is an essential part of a comprehensive protection strategy. Learn about our trademark watch and protection service (in Spanish).

    Can a registered trademark in Uruguay be sold or transferred?

    Yes. A registered trademark is an asset that can be transferred in whole or in part, whether by sale, donation or inheritance. The process is formalized through an assignment agreement of trademark rights, which must be recorded with the DNPI to be effective against third parties. Without that recordal, the change of owner cannot be enforced against third parties and the registration remains in the assignor’s name. See how trademark transfers work in Uruguay (in Spanish).

    In which countries do you provide trademark registration service?

    Trademark Registration in Trinidad and Tobago
    Trademark Registration in the Bahamas
    Trademark Registration in Barbados
    Trademark Registration in Haiti
    Trademark Registration in Antigua and Barbuda
    Trademark Registration in Saint Lucia
    Trademark Registration in Grenada
    Trademark Registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis
    Trademark Registration in Dominica
    Trademark Registration in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    Trademark Registration in Argentina
    Trademark Registration in Brazil
    Trademark Registration in Paraguay
    Trademark Registration in Chile
    Trademark Registration in Bolivia
    Trademark Registration in Peru
    Trademark Registration in Ecuador
    Trademark Registration in Colombia
    Trademark Registration in Venezuela
    Trademark Registration in Guyana
    Trademark Registration in Suriname
    Trademark Registration in Spain
    Trademark Registration in Portugal
    Trademark Registration in France
    Trademark Registration in Germany
    Trademark Registration in Italy
    Trademark Registration in Belgium
    Trademark Registration in the Netherlands
    Trademark Registration in Luxembourg
    Trademark Registration in Ireland
    Trademark Registration in Denmark
    Trademark Registration in Sweden
    Trademark Registration in Finland
    Trademark Registration in Austria
    Trademark Registration in Poland
    Trademark Registration in the Czech Republic
    Trademark Registration in Slovakia
    Trademark Registration in Hungary
    Trademark Registration in Romania
    Trademark Registration in Bulgaria
    Trademark Registration in Croatia
    Trademark Registration in Slovenia
    Trademark Registration in Greece
    Trademark Registration in Malta
    Trademark Registration in Cyprus
    Trademark Registration in Estonia
    Trademark Registration in Latvia
    Trademark Registration in Lithuania
    Trademark Registration in the United Kingdom
    Trademark Registration in Switzerland
    Trademark Registration in Norway
    Trademark Registration in Iceland
    Trademark Registration in Liechtenstein
    Trademark Registration in Ukraine
    Trademark Registration in Serbia
    Trademark Registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Trademark Registration in Albania
    Trademark Registration in North Macedonia
    Trademark Registration in Moldova
    Trademark Registration in Montenegro
    Trademark Registration in Morocco
    Trademark Registration in China
    Trademark Registration in Japan
    Trademark Registration in South Korea
    Trademark Registration in Taiwan
    Trademark Registration in Mongolia
    Trademark Registration in India
    Trademark Registration in Pakistan
    Trademark Registration in Bangladesh
    Trademark Registration in Sri Lanka
    Trademark Registration in Nepal
    Trademark Registration in Bhutan
    Trademark Registration in the Maldives
    Trademark Registration in Indonesia
    Trademark Registration in the Philippines
    Trademark Registration in Malaysia
    Trademark Registration in Singapore
    Trademark Registration in Thailand
    Trademark Registration in Vietnam
    Trademark Registration in Cambodia
    Trademark Registration in Laos
    Trademark Registration in Myanmar
    Trademark Registration in Brunei
    Trademark Registration in the United Arab Emirates
    Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
    Trademark Registration in Qatar
    Trademark Registration in Kuwait
    Trademark Registration in Oman
    Trademark Registration in Bahrain
    Trademark Registration in Israel
    Trademark Registration in Jordan
    Trademark Registration in Lebanon
    Trademark Registration in Turkey
    Trademark Registration in Iran
    Trademark Registration in Iraq
    Trademark Registration in Russia
    Trademark Registration in Australia
    Trademark Registration in New Zealand
    Trademark Registration in the Pacific Islands
    Trademark Registration in Papua New Guinea
    Trademark Registration in Fiji
    Trademark Registration in Samoa
    Trademark Registration in Tonga
    Trademark Registration in Vanuatu
    Trademark Registration in Kiribati
    Trademark Registration in Micronesia
    Trademark Registration in the Marshall Islands
    Trademark Registration in the Solomon Islands
    Trademark Registration in Tuvalu

    Is a trademark what you need to protect in Uruguay?

    A trademark protects the name and sign that identify your business, but it does not cover the shape of the product, the invention behind it or the creative work. Each of these is protected by a different legal right with its own procedure.

    Industrial design

    Protects the external appearance of a product: its shape, lines, ornamentation or packaging. It does not protect the name.

    Example: the silhouette of a bottle or the design of a package.

    Register an industrial design in Uruguay

    Patent of invention

    Protects a new technical solution: a mechanism, a process or a product with a function. It protects neither the name nor the appearance.

    Example: a locking system or a manufacturing method.

    Register a patent in Uruguay

    Copyright

    Protects works: texts, music, software, photographs or audiovisual works. It arises upon creation, and registration serves as proof of authorship and of a certain date.

    Example: the code of an app or an illustrated catalog.

    Register copyright in Uruguay (page in Spanish)

    Is your trademark already registered in Uruguay? Registration is valid for 10 years, and renewal is a separate procedure with its own fee and its own deadline. Letting it lapse means losing priority over the sign.

    Renew a registered trademark in Uruguay

    Who We Are

    From Uruguay, to the world

    Since 1930, at Dubourg we’ve been helping companies and entrepreneurs protect what sets them apart most: their brand. We work from Montevideo with clients around the world, supporting them at every stage of their growth—from the initial registration to entering new markets.

    One firm, many countries

    It all starts with registering your trademark where your business currently operates. When the time comes to expand, our network of international correspondents extends that protection to other countries—all through a single, coordinated process managed from here and at the best possible rates. Those same colleagues entrust us with their trademark filings in Uruguay, a relationship built on trust over decades.

    Clarity from Day One

    Uruguay is known for its stability and clear rules, and that’s how we work, too: transparent quotes, with no hidden costs or surprises.

    Security Before Every Step

    Before moving forward, we search intellectual property databases worldwide to verify that your trademark is available. That way, you make informed decisions—not ones based on uncertainty.

    World map showing connections from Uruguay to the Americas and Europe for international trademark registration

    What Our Clients Say

    Entrepreneurs and innovators in search of legal protection for their creations.

    Are you in need of help?

    Don’t risk your valuable work without legal protection. Contact me today for a personalized consultation. Together, we will ensure that your intellectual property is properly registered and protected, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to enjoy the fruits of your creativity.

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