A trademark is not just a nice name or logo. It is a legal instrument that protects your brand from unfair competitors and gives you the exclusive right to use the designation in your field of activity.
As of 2026, more than 381,000 trademarks have been registered in Ukraine. And every year there are more — along with the number of disputes between entrepreneurs over similar names and logos. The lawyers of O'LAW COMPANY explain step by step how to register a trademark, how much it costs, what documents are required, and what mistakes to avoid.
The main risk without registration
In Ukraine, a trademark is granted not to the person who invented the name — but to the person who filed the application first with UANIPIO. You may spend three years building a brand and one day receive a claim from someone who simply got there first. And they will be legally right.
What is a trademark and why register it
A trademark (trade mark, sign for goods and services) is a designation by which the goods and services of one person are distinguished from the goods and services of another.
It can be:
- a word designation — brand name, slogan
- a figurative designation — logo, symbol
- a combined designation — name together with a logo
- a colour or black-and-white designation
Trademark registration in Ukraine is not mandatory. But without it, anyone can register your name before you do — and have exclusive rights to it. Additionally, a registered trademark is a prerequisite for registering a .ua top-level domain.
Who can register a trademark in Ukraine
A trademark owner can be an individual, a sole proprietor (FOP), or a legal entity (LLC, JSC, etc.).
Practical tip on trademark ownership
If you register the trademark in the name of an individual — when the FOP is closed or the company is sold, the trademark remains yours personally. If you register it in the name of an LLC — when the company is sold, the trademark transfers to the new owner along with it. For most entrepreneurs, registration in the name of an individual is the safer strategy.
Step-by-step trademark registration procedure
Step 1. Preliminary similarity search
Before filing an application, you must check whether a similar trademark is already registered for your field of activity. Designations similar to trademarks already registered or applied for registration in Ukraine by another person for the same or related goods and services cannot be registered. The search can be conducted through the official UANIPIO databases or commissioned from a lawyer with a detailed report.
Step 2. Determining ICGS classes
A trademark is not registered "in general" — it is registered for specific goods and services according to the International Classification of Goods and Services (ICGS). There are 45 classes in total — from food products to legal services. The trademark protects only in the classes specified in the application. Choosing an incorrect or insufficient list of classes will result in incomplete protection.
Step 3. Preparing and filing the application
The application is filed with UANIPIO electronically. It must include: an image of the designation (logo in JPEG, PDF or vector format), a list of goods and services by ICGS classes, and applicant details. The filing date fixes your priority — protection begins from this moment.
Step 4. Formal and substantive examination
First, UANIPIO checks that the documents are correctly prepared and all fees have been paid. Then a substantive examination is conducted — a detailed analysis of the trademark, checking its uniqueness and the absence of similarity with already registered trademarks.
Step 5. Publication and certificate issuance
After a successful examination, the trademark is published in the official bulletin. After paying the fees for publication and certificate issuance, the applicant receives an electronic trademark registration certificate.
Timelines and costs in 2026
| Parameter | DIY | With legal support |
|---|---|---|
| Registration period | 14–18 months | 14–18 months |
| Government fees (1 class, B&W) | ~UAH 4,900 | ~UAH 4,900 |
| Risk of refusal | High without experience | Minimal |
| Correct ICGS class selection | Requires knowledge | Guaranteed |
| Priority protection | From filing date | From filing date |
Important note on colour registration
Registering a trademark in black and white gives broader protection — such a trademark can be used in any colours. Colour registration limits protection to the specific colours used. In practice, most lawyers recommend registering in black and white as the primary form of protection.
Common mistakes when registering a trademark
- No preliminary search conducted. Filed an application — received a refusal due to similarity with an already registered trademark. Fees are not refunded.
- Wrong ICGS classes selected. Registered the trademark for one type of activity, but the business expanded. A competitor registers the same name in a different class — and this is legal.
- Registered in the name of a legal entity. Sold the company or liquidated it — the trademark went along with it.
- Waited for the certificate before acting. Priority is determined by the filing date, not the issuance date. You can act as soon as the application is filed.
- Registered only in Ukraine but selling in the EU. Registration in Ukraine does not provide protection abroad. For international protection, a separate procedure under the Madrid System is required.
