Trademark Registration in Chile

Registering your trademark in Chile gives you a clear, enforceable right over your brand in the local market. With a valid registration, it becomes easier to stop imitators, negotiate licenses, and build long-term commercial value around your name, logo, or product identity.

To protect your brand in Chile, your trademark must be registered locally with the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INAPI). Chile follows a first-to-file system, which means trademark rights are granted to whoever submits the application first—not necessarily to the party who used the mark earlier.

If you plan to do business in Chile, registering your trademark early is essential to avoid bad-faith filings by third parties. Without registration, you cannot legally stop others from using your mark, and only the holder of a registered trademark has standing to take infringement action.

Foreign applicants can also register trademarks in Chile, but they must act through a local trademark agent. An original power of attorney is required; if it is not provided, the application may face delays or office actions.

To register a trademark in Chile, 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.

Average processing times vary depending on the workload at the Chilean IP office and on whether objections arise.

In straightforward cases, the average trademark registration in Chile usually takes around 6 months, although this timeframe can change if there are oppositions, office actions, or delays in publication or fee payments.

Whatever the timeline, your dedicated agent will monitor the file and keep you informed of every important step, so you don’t have to chase updates or worry about missed deadlines.

Once your trademark is registered in Chile, it is valid for 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed indefinitely. Renewal can be requested up to 12 months before expiration and within a 6-month grace period afterward, although late renewals in the grace period incur additional fees. Missing a renewal deadline, or leaving it to the last minute, can put your rights at risk.

It is also recommended to use the ® symbol with your registered trademark, as this allows you to pursue criminal actions against infringers (civil actions are possible even without it).

To stay protected long term and avoid deadline issues, consider our Chile Trademark Renewal Service, which helps you stay on top of renewals in Chile and coordinate them with your other countries.

In Chile, after publication in the Official Gazette of Chile, trademark owners have 30 days to oppose conflicting applications. In some cases, even owners of unregistered marks may file oppositions, although full legal standing generally requires a registered right.

If an opposition is relevant in your case, either because you want to oppose someone else’s filing or you need to respond to an opposition, your iGERENT agent will guide you through what is needed and help you gather and present the required documentation.

Currently, use is not required to maintain a trademark registration in Chile. However, trademarks registered in bad faith may be cancelled, and evidence of use can be helpful when defending your rights or responding to challenges.

When you register with iGERENT, your consultant will proactively let you know which documents or proof of use may be helpful in the future, and we can take care of managing these formalities on your behalf if they become necessary.

Chile recognizes three-dimensional trademarks (3D), allowing protection for distinctive product shapes or packaging. The INAPI examines these applications carefully: you must provide clear graphical representations from at least three angles, and the shape must be distinctive rather than purely functional. If distinctiveness is not inherent, INAPI may request evidence of acquired distinctiveness through use.

If you’re considering a 3D mark—such as a product shape or distinctive packaging, contact us for a free, no-obligation review of your case, and we’ll let you know how we can help.