Trademark Registration in Afghanistan

Why and How to Register a Trademark in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, trademark registration is mandatory to be granted rights over a trademark, as it is a "first to file" jurisdiction. Only in some exceptional cases can an unregistered trademark be protected. The trademark applications must be filed with the Afghanistan Central Business Registry (ACBR).

Trademarks cannot be registered for alcoholic beverages.

If you register a combined trademark (which includes both word elements and figurative elements) in Afghanistan, the exclusive right to use the trademark is limited to a use of the trademark in the exact configuration or way in which it was filed and registered. If you wish to use the word element of your trademark separately from the logo (or vice versa), it is recommended you register for another trademark including only the word or figurative elements you wish to use and protect separately.

Nevertheless, if a third party eventually intends to register or use a trademark for similar goods or services that includes a primary or distinct part or portion of your trademark, you will have the right to oppose the application based on confusing similarity.

Opposition actions may be filed by interested third parties against a trademark application within a period of one (1) month following its publication in the Official Gazette of Afghanistan. It is also possible to present post-registration oppositions within 12 months from the date of registration. The probabilities of success for an opposition will vary in each case depending on the circumstances.

Although a trademark does not have to be in use in order for it to register, it must not go unused for periods of three years or it will become vulnerable to cancellation actions based on lack of use of the trademark.

Registered trademarks in Afghanistan have a validity of ten (10) years from the application date and can be renewed indefinitely for further periods of ten (10) years. After the trademark has expired, there is a grace period of six (6) months during which the trademark can still be renewed, upon payment of a late renewal fee.

For trademark assessment reports the trademark must be in Latin alphabet and will only consider other trademarks in Latin alphabet. If you wish for a study for a trademark written in the local writing system (Pashto) and that includes results of trademarks in the local alphabet (Pashto), please contact us. Additional fees will apply.

If you would like for the figurative or design elements of your trademark to be considered when assessing your trademark for registration in Afghanistan (Trademark Search Report), contact us directly in order to determine if we may be able to offer this in this jurisdiction. In such cases, prices for service and estimated delivery times may vary.