How to Register a Trademark in Uzbekistan

Registering a trademark in Uzbekistan gives its owner an exclusive right to identify goods or services and prevent unauthorised use by competitors. In Uzbekistan, legal protection arises only after the mark has been examined and recorded in the State Register of Trademarks managed by the Agency for Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Justice. Because unregistered marks have no legal standing, businesses that wish to operate in Uzbekistan should understand the registration process, official requirements, and relevant fees. This guide uses the current Law on Trademarks, Service Marks and Appellations of Origin of Goods (2001, as amended in 2022) and the Law on State Duty to explain how to obtain trademark protection.

Legal framework and competent authority

The Law on Trademarks regulates registration and use of trademarks in Uzbekistan. It defines a trademark or service mark (collectively “trademark”) as a sign used to distinguish the goods or services of one entity from those of others. The law applies to individual marks belonging to a single owner and collective marks owned by an association. The Agency for Intellectual Property (the “Agency”), which is part of the Ministry of Justice, is the authorised state body responsible for accepting applications, conducting examinations, maintaining the State Register and issuing certificates.

Uzbekistan follows international conventions such as the Paris Convention, so foreign applicants enjoy the same rights as local applicants under the principle of reciprocity. However, non‑resident individuals or legal entities must act through a local patent agent registered with the Agency. Only citizens of Uzbekistan may act as patent agents.

Types of trademarks and registrable signs

Under Article 3 of the Law, almost any graphic, word, three‑dimensional or other sign (or combination of colours) can serve as a trademark. The sign must have distinctive character and be capable of identifying goods or services. Both individual and collective marks are permitted; collective marks are used by associations to indicate goods that share common quality or characteristics.

Signs that cannot be registered

Article 10 lists categories of signs that are refused registration. These include state symbols such as flags, coats of arms and awards; names of countries and international organisations; official control and guarantee marks; and decorations of rank. Signs that lack distinctiveness, are commonly used to designate goods or are generic or descriptive will be refused. Deceptive symbols, geographical indications used for goods not originating from the place indicated, and signs contrary to public morals are also excluded. Furthermore, signs identical or confusingly similar to well‑known marks, geographical indications, certification marks or famous corporate names are prohibited.

Priority and filing

Priority rights

The date of filing the application with the Agency establishes priority. An applicant may claim conventional priority based on the first application filed in a Paris Convention member country if the Uzbek application is filed within six months from the earlier filing. Priority can also be claimed from the date of first public display of the goods at an officially recognised international exhibition (exhibition priority) if the application is filed within six months.

Who may file

Applications may be filed by any natural or legal person. For collective marks, the application must be submitted by an association according to an agreement on use of the mark. When a request is filed, the Agency posts information about the application on its official website within one working day. Interested parties may submit written objections or comments about unfairness of the request. The filing date is considered the date the application is received by the Agency. Applications covering goods in multiple classes may be divided into several applications while retaining the original filing date.

Representation of foreign applicants

Foreign individuals or legal entities must act through patent agents registered with the Agency. Local applicants temporarily abroad may file directly, but must provide an address for correspondence in Uzbekistan. The patent agent’s authority must be confirmed by a power of attorney.

Application requirements

Article 9 of the Law specifies what must accompany a trademark application. The application should cover only one mark and must include:

• Application form identifying the applicant and requesting registration;
• Representation of the mark (drawing or image);
• List of goods or services grouped according to the International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification);
• For appellations of origin (not relevant to trademarks), indications of production location and characteristics.

The application must be accompanied by:

• Proof of payment of the state duty;
• Power of attorney if the application is filed through a patent agent;
• For foreign applicants, a document confirming the right to use the appellation of origin in the country of origin if applicable.

Examination procedure

Formal examination

Within 30 days of receiving the application, the Agency performs a formal examination to check completeness and compliance with requirements. The Agency verifies that the application includes all required documents and confirms payment of duties. After this stage, the applicant is notified whether the application is accepted for further examination or refused.

Substantive examination

If the application passes the formal stage, the Agency conducts a substantive examination (also called examination of the claimed designation). According to Article 15, this examination begins no earlier than six months after the filing date and should be completed within seven months. During this examination, the Agency evaluates whether the sign meets the criteria for registrability under Articles 3 and 10. The Agency checks distinctiveness, likelihood of confusion with earlier marks, compliance with public order, and other statutory grounds for refusal. Upon completion, the Agency decides to register or refuse the mark and informs the applicant.

Appeals

Applicants can appeal the examination decision to the Board of Appeal within three months. Decisions of the Board of Appeal may be challenged in court within six months.

Registration, publication, and certificate

Once the Agency issues a decision to register a mark, the applicant must pay the registration fee. After receiving proof of payment, the Agency records the mark in the State Register within three working days. The Agency publishes information about the registered mark in its official bulletin and on its website. Within ten days of registration, the Agency issues a certificate of the trademark, which confirms the mark’s priority and the owner’s exclusive right. The date of filing becomes the start of the ten‑year protection term.

Validity, renewal, and extension of protection

The trademark certificate is valid for 10 years from the filing date. It may be extended for successive ten‑year periods upon request from the owner. The renewal request must be filed within the last year of validity and must include proof of payment of the state duty and, when filed through a patent agent, a power of attorney. Article 22 allows owners to apply for renewal during the six months after the expiry date (a grace period) by paying the duty and an additional fee. After this grace period, the registration lapses and the only way to regain protection is to file a new application.

Importantly, Uzbekistan has a use requirement: if a registered trademark is not used continuously for three years, any interested person may petition the court to terminate the registration. Evidence of non‑use may be excused if the owner proves that the non‑use was due to circumstances beyond their control.

Costs and government fees

The Law on Patent Duties states that all legal actions associated with trademark registration are subject to state duties. The detailed rates are set in the Law on State Duty. According to amendments effective 1 January 2025, the state duty for trademark matters is calculated in multiples of the Base Calculation Value (BCV). As summarised by Legalmax based on the statutory amendments, the rates are:

• Filing an application and examination:
• 4 × BCV (≈ USD 116) for individuals;
• 6 × BCV (≈ USD 174) for legal entities.
• Registration (issuance of certificate):
• 2 × BCV (≈ USD 34.8) for individuals;
• 4 × BCV (≈ USD 69.6) for legal entities.

The BCV is adjusted annually (around USD 29 in 2025), so applicants should check the current rate on the Ministry of Justice’s website or consult a patent agent. Additional costs may arise when dividing applications across classes, appointing an agent, or responding to office actions.

Timeline for trademark registration

The table below summarises key stages and statutory timeframes. Actual processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the mark and any objections raised.

Stage	Description	Statutory timeframe
Filing & posting	Applicant submits application; Agency posts information on its website and invites comments	Immediate posting within 1 working day; filing date recorded
Formal examination	Agency checks completeness of documents, payment of duty	Completed within 30 days of filing
Substantive examination	Assessment of distinctiveness and conflicts; may involve earlier priority claims	Begins after 6 months and must be completed within 7 months
Decision & payment	Agency issues decision to register; applicant pays registration fee	Dependent on applicant; registration only after payment
Registration	Agency enters mark in State Register	Within 3 working days of receiving fee
Certificate issuance	Agency issues certificate of registration	Within 10 days after registration
Validity period	Trademark protection term	10 years from filing date
Renewal request	Application to extend registration	Must be filed within last year of validity; 6‑month grace period after expiry

Transfer, licensing and use of the ® symbol

The owner of a registered trademark has an exclusive right to use and dispose of the mark. Unauthorized manufacture, sale or importation of goods bearing the mark constitutes infringement. The owner may transfer the trademark to another entity through an assignment agreement or may license the right to use the mark under a licensing agreement. Both assignment and licensing agreements must be registered with the Agency to be effective. Collective marks and the right to use them may not be transferred.

After registration, the trademark owner may add the capital letter R in a circle (®) or the plain letter R next to the mark to signal that it is registered. Although optional, this precautionary marking informs third parties that the mark is protected in Uzbekistan.

Conclusion

Trademark registration in Uzbekistan is a formal legal process governed by the Law on Trademarks and the Law on State Duty. Applicants must file a properly prepared application, pay the prescribed state duties and navigate formal and substantive examinations. Registration confers exclusive rights for ten years, renewable indefinitely, but owners must use their marks to avoid cancellation. Foreign applicants should appoint a local patent agent, and all applicants should monitor deadlines carefully. By following the statutory requirements outlined above, businesses can secure and maintain trademark protection in Uzbekistan.