Trademark Registration in the Dominican Republic

Registering a trademark in the Dominican Republic is essential for securing your brand’s commercial identity. A valid registration grants you exclusive rights, prevents competitors from using confusingly similar names or logos, and strengthens your brand’s position as you expand into the market.

In the Dominican Republic, exclusive rights to a trademark are granted only through registration, since it is a first-to-file jurisdiction. This means that the first party to file a trademark application will, in principle, obtain the rights — not necessarily the first to use the mark.

In exceptional situations, a well-known trademark may receive protection even without a filing, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

All trademark applications must be filed with the **National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI) of the Dominican Republic ONAPI.

If you register a combined trademark (a mark containing both word and figurative elements), your exclusive rights apply only to the specific configuration as filed and registered. If you want to protect the word element independently of the logo—or use the graphic element separately—it is advisable to file additional trademarks for each component you want to protect individually.

To register a trademark in Dominican Republic, 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 trademark registration process in the Dominican Republic takes around 3 months for straightforward applications.

This is an estimated timeframe based on current processing times and may vary considerably depending on objections, office actions, or other circumstances.

Regardless of the timeline, your dedicated consultant will monitor the application and keep you updated from start to finish, so you don’t have to worry about deadlines or follow-ups.

Once registered, a trademark in the Dominican Republic is valid for 10 years from the registration date. It can then be renewed every ten (10) years, but the renewal request must include a declaration of use of the trademark. Renewal may be filed during the six (6) months prior to the expiration date, or during the six (6) months following expiration, although late renewals after expiry will incur additional costs.

Although use is not required to obtain registration, once the mark is registered it must not remain unused for three consecutive years. If the trademark is not used on a commercial scale during that period, it becomes vulnerable to cancellation actions brought by third parties.

To stay on top of renewals and avoid losing your rights, you can rely on our Trademark Renewal Service in the Dominican Republic, and let our team handle the deadlines and formalities for you.

Yes. If a third party tries to register a trademark for similar goods or services that includes the main or distinctive part of your registered (or prior) mark, you may oppose the application based on likelihood of confusion.

In the Dominican Republic, opposition actions can be filed within 45 days from the date the application is published in the Official Bulletin. The chances of success will depend on the specific facts and evidence in each case, and our team can help you assess your options and strategy.

Use is not required at the moment of registration in the Dominican Republic, but it is essential to maintain your trademark over time.

Prior use can help overcome objections based on lack of distinctiveness by showing that the mark has acquired distinctiveness through use. After registration, if the mark remains unused for three (3) consecutive years, it becomes vulnerable to cancellation actions for non-use, and the use must be on a commercial scale to be acceptable.

In addition, renewal requires a declaration of use, which makes real market use even more important.

If proof of use or additional evidence is requested at any stage, iGERENT will guide you through the process and help you prepare all required documentation.