Trademark registration renewal in Cambodia

In recently, trademark registration is not only an important step to protect brand rights but also an opportunity for businesses to expand their international operations. In particular, Cambodia is becoming an attractive destination for many businesses due to the developed business environment and the process and procedures for trademark registration are quite flexible and easy to implement. The process of renewing trademark registration in Cambodia requires a clear understanding of the steps taken, the documents involved and the specific time that businesses need to calculate. Viet An Law Firm would like to guide customers on procedures for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia. This article will focus on detailing the specific steps in the trademark renewal process in Cambodia, including prerequisites, required documents, and implementation procedures. The goal is to provide detailed and useful information to help businesses understand this process, thereby optimizing the registration process and protecting their brand rights in the Cambodian market. Hopefully, through this article, customers will have an overview of the trademark registration renewal process in Cambodia and have more knowledge to apply in their business practice.

Legal basis

• Trademarks, Trade Names and Unfair Competition Practices Law of January 8, 2002;
• Decrees and related circulars.

Cases of trademark registration renewal in Cambodia

• The trademark is registered and in effect.

A trademark registered in Cambodia is valid for 10 years from the date of filing (or from the priority date, if applicable). After the expiration of the protection period, the trademark owner may extend the validity of the trademark for another 10 years.

• The trademark has been filed for renewal prior to the date the trademark expires.

To be eligible for a trademark renewal, the trademark owner must file for renewal at the National Office of Intellectual Property of Cambodia (CIP) before the date of expiration of the trademark.

• The trademark has been applied for renewal within 6 months from the date the trademark expires and additional fees are paid.

If the trademark owner files for renewal within 6 months from the date the trademark expires, the trademark owner will have to pay an additional late renewal surcharge.

Dossier of trademark registration renewal in Cambodia

A dossier of trademark registration renewal in Cambodia includes the following documents:

• Notarized original Power of Attorney for the applicant’s representative: The power of attorney must be made in writing, signed by the trademark owner and notarized in accordance with the provisions of law. In the power of attorney, the trademark owner must authorize the representative to file a trademark renewal application at the CIP.
• Original Trademark Registration Certificate: A trademark registration certificate is a document certifying a trademark that has been registered and is valid in Cambodia.
• Trademark template in JPG file with a resolution of at least 300 DPI.

Time to file for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia

The time to file for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia is before the date of expiration of the trademark. If the renewal application is filed within 6 months from the expiration date of the trademark, the trademark owner will have to pay an additional late renewal surcharge. Thus, the time for filing an application for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia is stipulated as follows:

• Before trademark expiration date: 0 days.
• Within 6 months from the date of trademark expiration: 6 months.

To avoid missing the trademark renewal period, trademark owners should keep track of the trademark’s protection period and file for renewal early.

Trademark registration renewal fee in Cambodia

The fee for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia is stipulated as follows:

• For trademarks registered for a group of products/services: USD 100.
• For trademarks registered for multiple groups of products/services: USD 10/group of products/services.

The trademark registration renewal fee is paid in US dollars (USD) at the National Office of Intellectual Property of Cambodia (CIP).

If the renewal application is filed within 6 months from the expiration date of the trademark, the trademark owner will have to pay an additional late renewal surcharge of USD 50.

For example, if a trademark is registered for two groups of products/services, the trademark renewal fee is $20 ($10/product/service group). If customer file for renewal within 6 months of the trademark’s expiration date, the trademark renewal fee is $70 ($20 + $50).

To be renewed for trademark registration in Cambodia, the trademark owner needs to pay the renewal fee at the CIP along with the renewal dossier.

Process of handling procedures for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia

Step 1: Prepare customerr application

Trademark owners need to prepare dossiers for trademark registration renewal in accordance with Cambodian law as above.

Step 2: Apply

Trademark owners can apply for trademark registration renewal directly at the National Office of Intellectual Property of Cambodia (CIP) or by post.

Step 3: Appraisal of documents

CIP will conduct appraisal of the trademark renewal dossier within 6 months from the date of receipt of the dossier. If the renewal application is valid, CIP will issue a Trademark Renewal Certificate.

Step 4: Get the result

The trademark owner can receive the Trademark Renewal Certificate at CIP or receive it by post.

The processing time for trademark registration renewal procedures in Cambodia is 6 months from the date of filing. If the renewal application is submitted within 6 months from the date of expiration of the trademark, the processing time is 12 months.

Services of filing for trademark registration renewal in Cambodia of Viet An Law Firm:

• Advising enterprises on the provisions of Cambodian law on trademark registration renewal, including cases where trademark registration needs to be extended, procedures  for trademark registration renewal,…
• Draft dossiers for trademark registration renewal in accordance with Cambodian law.
• Filing an application for trademark registration renewal at the National Office of Intellectual Property of Cambodia.
• Monitor the processing of trademark registration renewal dossiers and notify enterprises of the results of dossier processing.
• Resolve issues arising during the trademark registration renewal, such as objection to trademark registration renewal application, trademark validity extension, transfer of trademark ownership,…

If customer want to file a trademark application in Cambodia, please contact Viet An Law Firm for the most effective support.