Trademark Registration in Bhutan

In Bhutan, trademarks are registered through the Industrial Property Division of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Trademark registration is essential to secure exclusive rights over your brand name or logo and to prevent third parties from using or registering similar marks.

Bhutan is a member state of the Madrid Protocol, allowing international trademark holders to extend protection to Bhutan through the Madrid System.
This makes Bhutan an attractive jurisdiction for companies seeking regional protection in South Asia under a single filing system.

If you file a combined trademark (word + logo), the exclusive rights will apply only to the exact configuration registered. To use the word element or design separately, you should file additional applications to protect each element individually.

A trademark search is highly recommended before filing, to identify potential conflicts with prior registered trademarks.

To register a trademark in Bhutan, you will generally need:

• Scanned copy of a signed Power of Attorney. No notarization or legalization required.
• The name or logo you want to register
• The applicant’s details

Your iGERENT consultant will confirm the exact requirements for your case and guide you through each step.

The average registration process in Bhutan takes around 9 months, although this may vary depending on the case. This estimate applies to straightforward applications that do not face objections or oppositions.

Once registered, a trademark in Bhutan is valid for 10 years from the application date and can be renewed indefinitely for additional 10-year periods.
There is a 6-month grace period after expiration during which the trademark may still be renewed upon payment of late fees.

A registered trademark provides strong legal protection against unauthorized use and infringement in Bhutan.
However, to maintain protection, it’s important to monitor deadlines and renewals—your iGERENT agent can help manage this process on your behalf.

Yes. Interested third parties can file opposition actions within three (3) months of the trademark’s publication in the official gazette.
The success of an opposition will depend on the similarity between the marks, the goods or services involved, and evidence of prior use or registration.

Yes. Although a trademark does not need to be in use to be registered, it must not go unused for more than three (3) years after registration.
Otherwise, it may become vulnerable to cancellation actions for non-use.