Syria Trademarks

Filing Requirements:

1. Power of attorney, legalized. A general power may be used for subsequent filings as long as a copy is filed at local Notary Public.

2. Simple copy of home or any foreign registration with Arabic translation.

3. Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.

4. 10 prints of the mark for each application.

5. 8 prints of the mark for each class.

* All the above documents must be submitted within 6 months from filing date.

* The applicant is required to declare on the application form the date of actual use of the mark in Syria or the intention of use of the mark in the country (within 3 years from filing date).

Classification:

The International Classification of Goods and Services (9th Edition) is followed. A separate application is required for each class.

Opposition:

Trademark applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Trademarks Journal. Oppositions may be filed within 90 days from publication date.

Extension Of Time:

Extension of time is not possible.

Protection Term:

Trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from filing date and are renewable for like periods. There is a grace period of 6 month for late renewals with payment of a surcharge.

Documents Required For Renewal:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.

Use Requirements:

Use of a trademark is not required for registration or renewal of a mark. However, a trademark is vulnerable to cancellation by any interested party if there has been no effective use of the mark for a period of 3 consecutive years preceding the date of filing for cancellation.

Search:

An official search may be conducted for word marks and devices. It takes approximately 15 working days for the results to be available. One application may include up to 5 classes. The search report discloses similar and identical trademarks.

Assignment:

* Trademark applications (pending examination) and trademark registrations may be assigned with or without the goodwill of the business concerned. The assignment must be recorded within 3 months from execution date otherwise a surcharge is levied.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney from the assignee, legalized.
  • Deed of assignment, legalized.

Change Of Name/Address:

* A change of name/address may be recorded for trademark registrations.

* Change of name/address must be recorded within 3 months from effective date otherwise a surcharge is levied.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Certificate of change of name/address, legalized.

Licensing:

* License recordal is compulsory in order to be effective against third parties. The license agreement must be recorded within 3 months from effective date otherwise a surcharge is levied.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • License agreement, legalized.

Merger:

* A merger may be recorded for trademark registrations only. The merger must be recorded within 3 months from effective date otherwise a surcharge is levied.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Certificate of merger, legalized.

Marking:

Marking is not compulsory.

Cancellation:

A trademark is subject to cancellation by any interested party within 5 years from registration date unless the mark was registered in bad faith, in which case, there is no time limit.

Registration Time Frame:

The time frame for completing the registration process is 8 to 10 months.

Three Dimensional Trademark Applications:

Admissible.