Trademark registration in Liechtenstein

Navigating Liechtenstein’s trademark registration landscape will present by a Comprehensive Guide below. Liechtenstein is a small country located between Austria and Switzerland, but possesses a strongly developed economy with many outstanding advantages. Located in the center of Europe and close to major markets such as Germany, France and Italy, Liechtenstein is a convenient transport connection point between European countries. Liechtenstein is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, which facilitates access to a vast market of more than 450 million people. Liechtenstein possesses a solid economic foundation such as a thriving financial services industry, contributing more than 30% of GDP, the industry focuses on high-tech and high-value-added products. Currently, Liechtenstein is one of the countries with a favorable business environment such as a stable political system and transparent laws, facilitating business activities, preferential tax policies for businesses, especially multinational companies and simple administrative procedures,  rapid. Therefore, more and more businesses are expanding their business scope here, in order to be able to distinguish their brand from other competitors, businesses need to pay attention to the procedure for trademark registration. Viet An Law would like to guide customers preliminarily through the procedure for trademark registration in Liechtenstein through the article below.

Legal basis

• Trademark Protection and Geographical Indications Law (Trademark Protection Law)

Definition of “trademark” in Liechtenstein

A trademark in Liechtenstein can be a mark that identifies and distinguishes a business’s goods or services from other businesses. This sign may include:

• Words: The brand name, slogan, or any combination of words that is unique.
• Logo: Images and symbols that visually represent a brand.
• Numbers and Letters: Unique combinations of numbers and letters can also serve as trademarks (e.g., FedEx).
• Non-traditional marks: According to international standards, Liechtenstein can also recognize:
  • Shape: The special shape of the product or packaging (e.g. Toblerone chocolate bar).
  • Audio: A jingle or specific sound associated with a brand.
  • Color: A single color or a specific color combination can be a brand (for example, Big Bus Tours yellow).

Conditions for trademark registration in Liechtenstein

To register a trademark in Liechtenstein, a business’s trademark needs to meet a number of conditions. Based on international standards, these are the prerequisites that may apply:

Differentiation: A business’s trademark must be able to distinguish its goods or services from those of other businesses. This means that the trademark must be unique and must not give a generic description of the goods or services.

Not to be confused: A  business’s trademark must not be identical or too similar to an existing registered trademark for similar goods or services. Checking for conflicts with trademarks is important to avoid application rejection.

Form of expression: The trademark of the business must be able to express itself visually. This means that it must be able to be represented by paintings, symbols or another visual form.

Do not violate the law: Your trademark must not violate public order or morals. This means that it must not contain offensive, discriminatory or illegal content.

Types of registerable trademarks

Based on international standards and general practice, here are the types of trademarks that can be registered in Liechtenstein:

Traditional brands:

• Words: The brand name, slogan, or any combination of words that is unique. (e.g. Adidas, PayPal, “The Home Depot”)
• Logo: Images and symbols that visually represent a brand. (e.g. Apple logo, Nike comma)
• Numbers and Letters: Unique combinations of numbers and letters can also serve as trademarks. (e.g. FedEx, 3M)

Trademarks are likely to be allowed to be registered (according to international standards):

• Shape: The special shape of the product or packaging, if it is not just functional. (e.g. Toblerone chocolate bar)
• Audio: A jingle or specific sound associated with a brand. (e.g. MGM lion roar)
• Color: A single color or a specific color combination, if it is not a common color for that type of product. (e.g. Cadbury’s purple)

Trademark registration in Liechtenstein

• Trademark application: Completed completely and accurately, including the following information:
  • Name and address of the applicant (individual or business)
  • Type of trademark (word, logo, image, etc.)
  • A detailed description of the trademark (meaning, color, typography, etc.)
  • List of goods or services according to the Nice classification system
  • Application fee
• Trademark template: Two clear and easily visible copies of the trademark printed on a white background. If the trademark is colorful, it should be clearly noted.
• Identification documents:
  • A copy of the applicant’s identity card or passport (if an individual).
  • Business registration certificate or business license (if it is a business).
• Power of attorney (if applicable): If the applicant hires an attorney or legal representative to apply, a valid power of attorney is required.
• Additional documents (if any): If the trademark has special elements, the applicant should provide explanatory or illustrative documents. For example, if the trademark is a complex logo, the applicant can provide technical drawings.
• Receipt of payment of fees

How to file for trademark registration in Liechtenstein

To file for trademark protection in Liechtenstein, you can file using the following filing methods:

• Direct submission: Customers can come directly to the Economic Office of the Department of Intellectual Property at Postfach 684 LI-9490 Vaduz to submit the application and related documents.
• By Post: You can send your application form and all required documents via postal service or courier service to the Economic Office of the Department of Intellectual Property at Postfach 684 LI-9490 Vaduz.
• Submit online via website:

Log in to the website and create an account to apply online https://apps.llv.li/mronline/marke/select. When applying online, you should pay attention to the payment of the relevant fee in accordance with the instructions of the Department of Intellectual Property.

Registration of trademark protection in Liechtenstein through the Madrid System

The Madrid system is a convenient and cost-effective solution for global trademark registration and management. File a single international trademark application and pay a one-time fee to apply for protection in up to 130 countries. Claimants can modify, renew or expand their global trademark portfolio through a centralized system.

Madrid Agreement:

• Liechtenstein acceded to the Madrid Agreement on 14 July 1933.
• The Madrid Agreement allows trademark owners to register their trademarks in a single member state (“country of origin”) and then extend protection to other member states (“nominating countries”) through a single international application.

Madrid Protocol:

• Liechtenstein acceded to the Madrid Protocol on 17 March 1998.
• The Madrid Protocol modernizes and simplifies the international registration system of trademarks established under the Madrid Agreement.
• The Madrid Protocol allows trademark owners to designate additional member states to an international application already filed under the Madrid Agreement or Madrid Protocol.

Trademark registration dossier under the Madrid System

The Madrid Singles consist of the Madrid Singles of Vietnamese origin and the Madrid Singles with the Liechtenstein designation.

For the Madrid Application of Vietnamese origin, the applicant must submit through the state management agency for industrial property rights, i.e. the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam. According to Article 25 of Decree 65/2023/ND-CP, a Madrid application of Vietnamese origin includes the following documents:

• Declaration of request for international registration of a trademark of Vietnamese origin (Form No. 01 in Vietnamese in Appendix II of Decree 65/2023/ND-CP);
• 02 MM2 declarations according to the form of the International Office in English or French;
• 02 trademark samples exactly as the trademark in the application filed in Vietnam (establishment application) or trademark registration certificate (establishment registration);
• 02 MM18 declarations in English (if the application has a US designation);
• Written authorization in Vietnamese (According to the form of Viet An Law Firm);
• Documents of payment of fees for international registration of trademarks of Vietnamese origin;
• Other relevant documents (if necessary).

Application fees through the Madrid System

The fees include:

• Basic fee (653 Swiss francs; or 903 Swiss francs for a color mark) (Note! A 90% discount applies if the applicant lodges an application with the Intellectual Property Office of a developing country at least); and
• Additional fees depend on where the claimant wishes to protect his trademark and the number of classes of goods and services he or she wishes to register. In order to expand its geographic reach, or modify or renew its international registration, the applicant will have to pay additional fees.

Trademark registration service in Liechtenstein of Viet An Law Firm

• Perform searches and notify customers in writing of the results of trademark searches in Liechtenstein;
• Draft the application and directly file and monitor the status of the trademark application in Liechtenstein on behalf of the trademark owner;
• Inform, advise and handle deficiencies/refusals of competent State agencies (if any) in the process of monitoring trademark applications in Liechtenstein;
• Assist in monitoring, representing the resolution of objections and feedback with the intellectual property representative performing procedures in Liechtenstein.
• Receive dispatches, certificates and hand over to clients (if any).

If you want to file a trademark application, please contact Viet An Law – IP Firm for the most effective support.