Trademark Registration

Registering a trademark allows the owner to secure rights to a designation used for goods or services and to create a legal basis for protecting the brand from use by other parties.

A trademark can be a word mark, a figurative mark, a combined mark, or another type of designation that makes it possible to distinguish the goods or services of one business from those of others. In Ukraine, the legal protection of trademarks is governed by special legislation in the field of intellectual property.

Maira Consult supports trademark registration in Ukraine and helps prepare applications that take into account the type of activity, the list of goods and services, and the brand's intended use.

Why register a trademark?

A brand name, logo, or other designation can carry significant commercial value. However, simply using a name in business or having it appear in a domain name does not provide the same level of legal protection as a registered trademark.

Trademark registration may be necessary if a business plans to:

• use its own brand to sell goods or provide services;

• develop a franchising model;

• enter new markets;

• transfer brand rights or grant a license for its use;

• protect a name or logo from use by competitors;

• create and build an intangible asset for the company.

A registered trademark can also be used as an object of licensing, assignment, or other transfer of rights in accordance with the law.

What can be registered as a trademark?

A trademark can consist of various types of designations. Depending on the specific object, it is possible to register, among other things:

• a brand or company name;

• a single word or phrase;

• a logo;

• a graphic image;

• a combination of a name and a graphic element;

• other designations that can perform a distinguishing function and meet the requirements of the law.

It is important to determine exactly which designation is being registered, since the scope of legal protection depends not only on the brand itself, but also on the filed application and the specified list of goods and services.

Trademark registration in Ukraine

In Ukraine, an application for trademark registration is filed with the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPI).

Before filing an application, it is important to check whether an identical or similar trademark already exists for the relevant goods or services. A preliminary search makes it possible to assess the risk of refusal and, if necessary, adjust the designation or the list of goods and services.

Particular attention should be paid to correctly determining the Nice Classification classes. It is the list of goods and services that defines the scope within which legal protection of the trademark is granted.

Nice Classification: how to correctly determine the classes of goods and services?

Trademark registration uses the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification).

In 2026, Ukraine applies the 13th edition of the Nice Classification (2026 version). It contains 45 classes of goods and services.

Choosing classes requires special attention. If the list is too narrow, the registered trademark may not cover part of the business's actual activity. At the same time, including unnecessary classes can lead to unnecessary costs.

Therefore, before filing an application, it is worth determining not only what the company does now, but also what goods or services it plans to offer under this brand in the future.

How does trademark registration proceed?

Trademark registration consists of several stages.

1. Analysis of the brand and type of activity

We determine which designation is planned for registration, who will be the owner of the trademark, and for which goods or services it will be used.

2. Trademark search

We conduct a preliminary search for identical and similar designations and assess the potential risks for registration.

3. Determining the Nice Classification classes

We compile a list of goods and services in accordance with the actual and planned activity of the trademark owner.

4. Preparing the application

We prepare the documents and information required to file the trademark registration application.

5. Filing and examination

The application is filed with UANIPI and goes through the established examination procedures.

6. Trademark registration

If the examination result is positive and the necessary formalities are completed, the trademark is registered and the owner receives the corresponding protective document.

What documents are needed for trademark registration?

The list of documents and information depends on the type of trademark and the applicant.

To prepare the application, the following are usually required:

• the trademark owner's details;

• an image or exact reproduction of the designation;

• the list of goods and services for which the trademark is being registered;

• information about the applicant;

• if necessary, documents confirming the right of priority or other circumstances provided for by law.

If the owner is a legal entity, its corporate and registration details are also used.

How long does trademark registration take?

The registration period depends on the procedure, the workload of the authority, the course of the examination, and the presence or absence of objections, notices, or other procedural issues.

Therefore, it is not advisable to rely on a single universal timeframe for all applications. After analyzing a specific trademark and the chosen procedure, it is possible to determine an approximate sequence and timeline for its registration.

How much does trademark registration cost?

The cost of trademark registration depends on the number of Nice Classification classes, the method of filing the application, the number of applicants, and other circumstances.

Official fees may be paid separately, and professional support for preparing and filing the application is paid for as well.

Before starting work, Maira Consult determines the scope of services and informs the client of the cost of support depending on the specific situation.

What to do if a similar trademark already exists?

The existence of a similar trademark does not always automatically mean that registration of a new designation is impossible. The nature of the similarity, the list of goods and services, the degree of distinctiveness, and other legally significant circumstances are all important.

That is precisely why it is worth conducting a preliminary search and assessing the potential risks before filing an application.

Based on the results of such an analysis, it is possible to decide whether to file the application without changes, adjust the designation, or change the list of goods and services.

International trademark registration

If a brand is planned for use outside Ukraine, international trademark registration may be advisable.

For this purpose, the Madrid System for the international registration of marks can be used. It allows a single international application to be filed in order to obtain protection in selected member countries of the system.

At the same time, international registration does not mean that legal protection is automatically granted in every selected country. Each designated office conducts an examination in accordance with its own legislation and may grant or refuse protection within its territory.

Therefore, before pursuing international registration, it is important to determine the countries in which the brand's use is actually planned, check the trademark in the relevant markets, and correctly compile the list of goods and services.

Trademark registration in the EU and other countries

For a business planning to operate in several markets, a trademark protection strategy may involve registration in individual countries, regional registration, or use of the international system.

The optimal option depends on the geography of the business's activity, its structure, the trademark owner, and plans for entering new markets.

Maira Consult can help determine the approach to trademark registration depending on the jurisdictions in which its use is planned.

Protection of rights to a registered trademark

Trademark registration creates a legal basis for protecting the owner's rights, but registration alone does not replace ongoing monitoring of the brand's use.

The owner should monitor the appearance of identical or similar designations, the use of the brand by third parties, and other possible infringements.

In the event of a dispute, it is necessary to assess the specific circumstances and the available means of protecting intellectual property rights.

Trademark registration for a company

The owner of a trademark can be either an individual or a legal entity. For a business, it is often advisable to determine in advance exactly who the trademark will be registered to, especially if the brand is planned to be used by several companies within a group or transferred under license.

If the brand is connected to a foreign company, an international structure, or is planned for use in several countries, the question of ownership and the territory of legal protection should preferably be determined before filing the application.

Why choose Maira Consult?

Maira Consult supports trademark registration and helps organize the procedure with regard to the specific features of a particular brand.

We can help you:

• determine the optimal registration strategy;

• conduct a preliminary analysis of the trademark;

• determine the relevant Nice Classification classes;

• prepare the application and the necessary documents;

• arrange for the application to be filed;

• support the registration procedure;

• assess the possibilities for international trademark registration;

• coordinate brand protection matters in other jurisdictions.

We work with both Ukrainian and international businesses for whom it is important to determine in advance the territory of legal protection and the ownership structure of the trademark.