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LAWYER
ANTON SHUKHNIN
LAWYER
ANTON SHUKHNIN
Trademark registration is an official procedure that grants a business exclusive rights to use its designation (name, logo, slogan, or other element) that distinguishes its goods or services from those of competitors. This step is extremely important for those who seek to increase brand recognition among consumers and strengthen their market position.
Anton Shukhnin and his team provide professional trademark registration services, offering full legal support at every stage — from selecting the appropriate designation to obtaining the certificate.
Our approach is based on a deep understanding of legislation, the examination practice of UKRNOIVI, and the real business needs of entrepreneurs.
The Ukrainian market is showing rapid growth in the number of new brands. Between 2015 and 2024 alone, more than 267,000 trademark registration applications were filed. This indicates intense competition, where success belongs to those who ensure timely legal protection of their name or logo.
Despite the current challenging times, Ukrainian businesses are actively recovering and relying on intellectual property as an effective tool for growth.
That is why today official trademark registration is not just a legal formality, but a real necessity that makes it possible to:
- do not allow copying of the name or logo;
- avoid the risks of blocking the business by competitors;
- increase the value of the company;
- to create a legal foundation for entering the international market.
HOW TO REGISTER A TM?
Trademark registration in Ukraine is administered by the state organization Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UKRNOIVI). Below, we will review the trademark registration procedure in Ukraine and the advantages it provides.
STAGES OF TM REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION OF TRADEMARKS IN UKRAINE IS A RATHER COMPLEX AND LENGTHY PROCESS, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING STAGES:
1 Definition of the designation for the future trademark.
First, you need to choose the designation you want to register: a word or phrase, a graphic logo, or a combination of these elements. The designation must comply with all requirements of Ukrainian legislation and must not contain offensive or obscene words, prohibited symbols, or similar elements.
2 Preliminary search in open databases for similarity and identity.
Before submitting an application, you should check the UKRNOIVI website for marks that are identical or similar to yours. This allows you to adjust your designation in time and avoid a possible refusal of registration later on.
3 Selection of classes according to the International Classification of Goods and Services.
It is necessary to determine for which specific goods or services the trademark will be registered. The Nice Classification includes 45 classes—34 for goods and 11 for services—and the correct choice determines the areas of activity in which your brand will be protected. If you choose too few classes, the protection will be limited; if you choose too many, you will simply overpay.
4 Preparation and submission of the application.
When submitting an application, it is necessary to provide data about the applicant, information about the future TM and correctly determine the list of classes of the MCT.
5 Formal examination.
Checking the correctness of paperwork, payment of fees and compliance of the application with formal requirements.
6 Qualification examination.
Assessment of the grounds for granting legal protection: uniqueness, absence of conflicts, compliance with norms.
7 Making a decision on TM registration.
After the examination, a decision is made on registration or refusal (with an explanation of the reasons).
8 Payment of state fees for registration and publication.
Payment of fees on time is a prerequisite for completing registration.
9 Publication in the Official Gazette.
Information about the TM is published officially, after which the information becomes publicly available.
10 Obtaining a certificate.
After completing the procedures, the applicant receives a trademark certificate.
The validity period of a trademark certificate is 10 years. It can be renewed for additional 10-year periods an unlimited number of times. To do so, an application must be filed and the state fee paid. Please note that documents must be submitted to UKRNOIVI in advance—no later than 6 months before the certificate expires—otherwise, the amount of the state fee may increase significantly.
Sole right to use TM.
Only its owner has the right to officially use the name, logo or other designation of a trademark in its activities. No one else has the right to use it without permission.
Protection against unfair competition.
Registration prohibits other companies or individuals from using identical or similar marks. This helps prevent situations where competitors attempt to take advantage of someone else’s reputation for their own benefit.
Official possibility to request the removal of violations.
You can initiate the termination of the illegal use of TM and seek the blocking of Internet resources, protecting your interests in court.
Growth in business value.
A registered TM is an intangible asset that can be sold, inherited, licensed and included in the authorized capital of the company.
Increasing trust from customers and partners.
An officially registered trademark demonstrates the seriousness of the company and adds a huge plus to its reputation.
The ability to scale the business.
Having a registered trademark makes it possible to freely expand the range of goods and services and enter international markets by registering the trademark under the Madrid System in member countries. Currently, the system covers more than 130 countries worldwide, including all 27 EU member states.
A solid foundation for a marketing strategy.
All investments in goods and services—such as advertising activities, brand identity development, and packaging design—will pay off 100% only when the trademark officially belongs to its owner.
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE ANTON SHUKHNIN’S TEAM?
Our experts have extensive practical experience in the fields of intellectual property and financial law, which allows them to act quickly, precisely, and without errors, preventing potential risks already at the application planning stage.
ANTON SHUKHNIN'S TEAM OFFERS:
Full support from A to Z.
You do not need to interact with UKRNOIWI experts — we take care of everything.
Transparent conditions and predictable results.
You have a clear understanding of the timing, cost, and prospects, so you can plan your future activities without hesitation.
FAQ
WHAT IS A TRADEMARK (TM)?
A trademark is a designation used to distinguish the goods or services of one company from those of others. The most common types of trademarks are word marks (consisting only of words, letters, or numbers), figurative marks (consisting of images, symbols, ornaments, or their combinations), and combined marks (combining word and graphic elements). Less common types include three-dimensional marks (for example, the iconic Coca-Cola bottle), sound marks (the Nokia ringtone), and color marks (such as Tiffany Blue).
In practice, a trademark is an element of corporate identity and an important marketing tool. Its main purpose is to protect the brand from copying and help consumers easily recognize products or services in the market.
After registration, a trademark acquires the status of an intellectual property object. Its owner receives exclusive rights to use it and, in the event of infringement, may protect their interests in court.
WHO CAN A TRADEMARK BE REGISTERED FOR?
You can register for an individual, sole proprietorship, or legal entity — depending on who owns the rights to the TM.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REGISTER A TRADEMARK IN UKRAINE?
The duration depends on the procedure and the workload of the organ. Usually, the process takes several months (the exact period is after analyzing the case).
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLASSES OF THE ICTS?
Classes are selected according to the goods/services that the business works with and taking into account development plans so that the protection is sufficient.
WHEN DOES TM PROTECTION COME INTO EFFECT?
Full legal protection comes after registration and receipt of the certificate. In certain cases, the date of application is also important.
WHY CAN TM REGISTRATION BE REFUSED?
For example, due to similarity with already registered designations, descriptiveness, violation of legal requirements or other grounds for examination.