Trademark Registration in the Philippines
A Philippine trademark is registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), not with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Registration can give you the exclusive right to use your brand name, logo, or other distinctive sign for the goods or services in your application, and to stop others from using a confusingly similar mark. A registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed for further 10-year terms, as long as you keep using the mark and file each required Declaration of Actual Use (DAU) on time.
Recurra is a Philippine IP agent. We search, file, and maintain trademarks with IPOPHL, and we offer a free consultation. Our professional fee is quoted per case after that consultation.
If you want a short explainer first, start with Understanding Trademarks in the Philippines. For a search walkthrough, see How to Conduct a Trademark Search. If you are unsure how this differs from a DTI business name, see Trademark vs Business Name (DTI) and the section below.
Who this is for
This service is for sole proprietors, startups, small and medium businesses, corporations, and organizations that want to protect a brand name, logo, slogan, or other distinctive visual sign in the Philippines.
It is also for applicants who are not based here. If you are not domiciled in the Philippines and have no real and effective commercial establishment here, the IP Code requires you to designate a Philippine resident who can receive notices and process. Recurra can act as that representative.
It may be a good fit if you:
Are about to launch a brand, product line, or online shop and want to check and file the mark before you spend on packaging
Already have a DTI or SEC registration and want to know whether you also need an IPOPHL trademark
Need to file in more than one Nice class, claim convention priority from a foreign filing, or appoint a local agent
Have a registration that is coming up for a DAU or renewal
The Philippine system is first-to-file. Rights generally go to the party who first files a complete application and pays the fee, not simply to the party who used the name first. That is why a search and a timely filing matter.
DTI business name vs IPOPHL trademark — and what “IPO registered” means
These are two different government processes. One does not replace the other.
DTI business name registration (for a sole proprietor) lets you legally use a business name to operate, apply for local permits, and open accounts. It is about business compliance. It does not give you exclusive nationwide rights over a brand, and it does not stop someone in another city from using a similar name as a brand. Corporations and partnerships register their entity with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is likewise not a trademark registration.
IPOPHL trademark registration is how you protect a brand as intellectual property. A registered mark can be enforced against confusingly similar names or logos for the goods or services it covers, across the Philippines. It can be licensed, assigned, or used as a basis for international filing under the Madrid Protocol.
“IPO registered” means the mark is registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), now commonly called IPOPHL. It does not mean you only have a DTI business name or an SEC company name. A DTI certificate does not make your brand “IPO registered.” If a seller, supplier, or competitor claims a product or brand is “IPO registered,” that claim should be checked in IPOPHL’s trademark records, not on a DTI business-name certificate.
DTI business name vs IPOPHL trademark at a glance
DTI business name
IPOPHL trademark
Where you file
Department of Trade and Industry (sole proprietors). Companies use the SEC for the entity name.
Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)
What it mainly does
Lets you operate under a business name and complete local permits
Can give exclusive rights to a brand for specified goods or services, nationwide
Does it make you “IPO registered”?
No
Yes, once the mark is registered on the IPOPHL trademark register
Typical term
A DTI business name has its own renewal cycle; check the current DTI rules when you renew
10 years from registration, renewable for further 10-year terms, subject to DAU and renewal filings
For a longer comparison, read Trademark vs Business Name (DTI): What’s the Difference?
How to register a trademark with IPOPHL
Do a search first, then file online through eTMFile. IPOPHL’s Trademark FAQ states that, effective 1 September 2020, trademark applications are accepted only through eTMFile (Memorandum Circular No. 2020-036). Satellite offices (IPSOs) are not receiving offices for manual filing, though their officers can help with online filing.
1. Search existing marks
A search is not a legal requirement for a filing date, but it is the practical first step. It can show identical or similar marks already filed or registered for related goods or services.
Official tools you can use, free of charge:
The Philippine trademark database (WIPO Brand Database, Philippines collection), which IPOPHL also uses to check application status
WIPO Global Brand Database, which IPOPHL lists among its trademark online tools
ASEAN TMview / TMclass, which eTMFile is linked to for classification and a preliminary search
Search for exact matches and for marks that look, sound, or mean something similar, in the Nice class or classes that fit your goods or services. For a step-by-step walkthrough, use How to Conduct a Trademark Search in the Philippines. Recurra can run and interpret this search as part of a free consultation.
A clear search is not a guarantee of registration. An examiner still assesses distinctiveness and conflict, and third parties may still oppose after publication.
2. Choose your classes (Nice Classification)
Goods and services must be grouped under the Nice Classification, with the class number for each group (IP Code, Sec. 124.1(k)). One application may cover several classes, but government fees are charged per class.
The international Nice list currently has 45 classes: classes 1–34 for goods and 35–45 for services. IPOPHL points applicants to the WIPO Nice Classification. In eTMFile you can search terms or provide your own list after selecting the class; an examiner later checks the wording and class. If the examiner finds that broad terms belong in a different class, an additional-class fee may apply.
3. File through eTMFile and pay the fee
File at eTMFile. The official how-to steps are:
Open the eTMFile page.
Choose the application type and mark type (word mark, figurative mark, figurative mark with words, or 3D mark). Have a logo file ready for figurative marks. If you claim color, tick the color box and describe the colors; otherwise the mark is converted to black and white.
Select the Nice class or classes and list the goods or services.
Indicate any convention priority claim, then complete the applicant details and, if applicable, the authorized representative.
Review the application and tick the applicable declarations, including a Declaration of Small Entity if your total assets are ₱100 million or less.
Pay through IPOPHL e-payment channels (the how-to page lists Maya, credit or debit cards, and other supported platforms; the FAQ also describes Dragonpay). Keep the payment confirmation.
IPOPHL says the electronic statement of account and an e-filing acknowledgement are sent to the nominated email address on submission, and that the date of payment is also considered the filing date. After payment is confirmed, a second acknowledgement is sent with the mark details and the application number. The filing date is the date IPOPHL received the minimum elements (in English or Filipino) and the filing fee.
The Trademark FAQ states that a statement of account for a trademark application expires after 7 days. If it expires, you must file the application again to get a new due date. Figurative marks should be uploaded as JPEG. Later documents filed through eDocFile should be in PDF.
4. Examination
Once the filing requirements are met, IPOPHL examines whether the application meets Sec. 124 and whether the mark is registrable under Sec. 123. Among other things, a mark generally cannot be registered if it is generic or merely descriptive, is immoral or deceptive, copies official flags or insignia, identifies a living person without consent, or is identical or confusingly similar to an earlier mark for the same or closely related goods or services.
If the Office finds you are not entitled to registration, it will state the reasons. Under the IP Code, you have four (4) months to reply or amend, after which the application is re-examined. An abandoned application may be revived within three (3) months from abandonment, upon good cause and payment of the revival fee.
5. Publication for opposition
If the application is allowed, you pay the publication fee and the mark is published. Any person who believes they would be damaged by the registration may file a verified opposition, with the required fee, within 30 days after that publication (IP Code, Sec. 134). The Director of Legal Affairs may extend the time for good cause, upon payment of a surcharge.
6. Registration and second publication
When the opposition period has expired, or an opposition has been denied, IPOPHL issues the certificate of registration upon payment of the issuance fee, and publishes notice of the registration (the official fee schedule calls this the second publication). A certificate of registration is prima facie evidence of the validity of the registration, the registrant’s ownership, and the exclusive right to use the mark for the goods or services specified in the certificate, and related goods or services (IP Code, Sec. 138).
The registration lasts 10 years. It can be renewed for further 10-year terms.
Declaration of Actual Use (DAU)
A trademark is not maintained by registration alone. You must show that the mark is actually used in commerce, or, where the rules allow, show valid reasons based on obstacles to use. If a DAU is not filed in time, the application can be refused or the mark removed from the register. The Trademark FAQ says a missed DAU is reflected in the database as “Removed for Non-Filing of DAU.”
When DAUs are due
IPOPHL Trademark FAQ, consistent with IP Code Secs. 124.2 and 145 and MC No. 17-010, Rule 204:
3rd-year DAU: within three (3) years from the filing date of the application. A single six-month extension may be granted if you request it before the three-year deadline and pay the extension fee. You cannot file this DAU after the deadline if no timely extension was requested.
5th-year DAU: within one (1) year from the fifth anniversary of the date of registration.
Renewal DAU: for marks due for renewal on 1 January 2017 and onwards, a DAU must also be submitted within one (1) year from the date of renewal (MC No. 17-010, Rule 204), regardless of when the request for renewal was filed.
Mid-renewal DAU: within one (1) year from the fifth anniversary of each renewal.
You cannot file the 3rd-year and 5th-year DAUs at the same time; they are tied to different dates (filing date vs. registration date).
What to file
The declaration, evidence of actual use, and the official DAU fee (charged per class). Acceptable evidence under Rule 210 of IPOPHL MC No. 2017-010 includes:
Labels of the mark as used
Downloaded website pages clearly showing that the goods are sold or the services are rendered in the Philippines
Photographs of goods bearing the mark as actually used, or of marked containers, or of the establishment where the services are rendered
Brochures or advertising materials showing actual use in the Philippines
Receipts, invoices, or similar evidence of sales or of services available in the Philippines
Copies of contracts for services showing use of the mark
The Director may issue further guidance on evidence that will or will not be accepted. The official fee schedule also lists a Declaration of Non-use fee for the 3rd year and the 5th year. The IP Code allows a registrant, in the 5th-year window, to show valid reasons based on obstacles to use, as prescribed by the regulations. Do not treat non-use as a routine substitute for a DAU without advice on whether it applies to your case.
Subsequent DAU filings and other follow-up documents are commonly submitted through eDocFile for Trademarks.
Term and renewal
A certificate of registration remains in force for 10 years (IP Code, Sec. 145), subject to the DAU requirements above.
You may renew for further 10-year periods. A renewal request may be filed in Filipino or English within six (6) months before expiration, or within six (6) months after expiration upon payment of the additional renewal surcharge (IP Code, Sec. 146.2). Renewal fees are charged per class.
Government fees (IPOPHL)
These are government fees payable to IPOPHL, not Recurra’s professional fee. Recurra’s fee is quoted per case after a free consultation.
Last checked: November 2026, against IPOPHL’s live trademark fee schedule and Trademark FAQ.
Small entity vs big entity. A small entity has assets of ₱100 million or less. A big entity has assets of more than ₱100 million. In eTMFile, claim small-entity rates by ticking the Declaration of Small Entity. Fees below are per class unless stated otherwise.
Legal Research Fund (LRF). The Trademark Filing page states that all fees are subject to a 1% Legal Research Fund under RA 3870, and that if the fee is below ₱1,000 the LRF is ₱10. The tables show the base amounts on the official schedule. The Trademark FAQ states that the basic filing fee inclusive of 1% LRF is ₱1,212 (small) and ₱2,617 (big). ₱1,200 + 1% is exactly ₱1,212. ₱2,592 + 1% is ₱2,617.92; the FAQ figure is ₱2,617. Confirm the amount on your statement of account. Other charges may apply as the application proceeds.
Always confirm the current schedule before paying, because official fees can change. IPOPHL’s e-filing system computes the amount due.
Typical fees on the path to registration
Sources: Schedule of Trademark-related Fees and Trademark Filing. Last checked: November 2026.
Fee (base amount, before LRF unless noted)
Small entity (₱)
Big entity (₱)
Filing fee (per class)
1,200
2,592
Filing fee including 1% LRF, as stated on the Trademark FAQ
1,212
2,617
Claim of color or claim of distinctiveness (per class)
280
600
Claim for convention priority (per class)
860
1,800
Request for priority examination
2,990
6,240
Allowance / publication for opposition
900
960
Issuance of certificate of registration
570
1,200
Publication of registration (2nd publication)
900
960
Additional class (if examination places goods in another class)
1,200
2,592
DAU, renewal, and common later fees
Source: Schedule of Trademark-related Fees. Last checked: November 2026.
Fee (base amount, before LRF)
Small entity (₱)
Big entity (₱)
3rd-year DAU (per class)
900
1,920
5th-year DAU (per class)
1,100
2,400
Renewal DAU (per class)
1,100
2,400
Mid-renewal DAU (per class)
1,100
2,400
Single extension to file 3rd-year DAU
1,800
3,840
Declaration of non-use, 3rd year (per class)
900
1,920
Declaration of non-use, 5th year (per class)
1,100
2,400
Renewal of registration (per class)
3,100
6,600
Renewal surcharge (per class)
1,500
3,300
Revival of abandoned application
570
1,200
Extension of time to file a response
340
720
The official schedule also lists other amounts that apply only in some cases, including amendment, recordal of assignment or change of name, division, voluntary cancellation, and Madrid Protocol fees. See the full trademark fee schedule for those.
Recurra’s professional fee
Recurra’s professional fee is quoted per case. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll give you a clear quote before you commit.
The amount depends on the mark, the number of classes, whether a priority claim or foreign applicant is involved, and whether you also need search work, office-action responses, DAU filings, or renewal. Government fees above are paid to IPOPHL and are separate.
What Recurra does
Recurra can help from the first search through filing and later maintenance. A typical engagement may include:
A free consultation to review the mark, the likely Nice classes, and whether a trademark is the right next step (including how this relates to a DTI or SEC registration)
A pre-filing search of IPOPHL and related official databases, with a plain-language readout of obvious conflicts
Preparing and filing the application through eTMFile, including the small-entity declaration if you qualify
Acting as resident representative for applicants who are not based in the Philippines
Monitoring examination reports and preparing responses
Tracking publication, opposition deadlines, issuance, and the second publication
Filing or reminding you of 3rd-year, 5th-year, renewal, and mid-renewal DAUs, and of renewal itself
Court actions, opposition or cancellation proceedings, platform takedowns and licensing negotiations are handled separately — ask us during your consultation.
Documents you will need
Have these ready before you file:
A clear reproduction of the mark. For a figurative mark or logo, eTMFile requires a JPEG. If you claim color, be ready to name the colors and say which parts of the mark use them
The applicant’s name, address, and contact details, and, for a company, the law under which it is organized
A list of the goods or services, grouped by Nice class
If a representative is filing: a Special Power of Attorney or appointment of agent, and the representative’s details
If the applicant is not domiciled in the Philippines and has no real and effective commercial establishment here: designation of a Philippine resident for service of notices (IP Code, Sec. 125)
If you claim convention priority: the country, date, and, where available, the number of the earlier application. The Trademark FAQ describes a six-month priority window under the Paris Convention. Registration in the Philippines will not be granted on a priority claim until the mark has been registered in the country of origin (IP Code, Sec. 131.2)
If you claim small-entity rates: confirmation that total assets are ₱100 million or less, and the Declaration of Small Entity in eTMFile
Optional at filing: evidence if you will already submit a DAU with the application
Frequently asked questions
How do I register a trademark in the Philippines?
Search existing marks, then file an application with IPOPHL through eTMFile, listing your goods or services by Nice class and paying the official fee. If the examiner allows the mark, it is published for opposition for 30 days. If no successful opposition is filed and you pay the issuance fee, IPOPHL issues the certificate of registration. Recurra can handle the search and filing for you. Start with a free consultation.
How much are IPOPHL trademark fees?
The basic filing fee on the official schedule is ₱1,200 per class for a small entity and ₱2,592 per class for a big entity, or ₱1,212 and ₱2,617 inclusive of the 1% Legal Research Fund according to the Trademark FAQ. You should also budget for publication for opposition, issuance of the certificate, the second publication, later DAU fees, and renewal. These are government fees only. Recurra’s professional fee is quoted per case after a free consultation.
What does “IPO registered” mean, and is a DTI business name enough?
“IPO registered” means the brand is registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPOPHL). A DTI business name registration is not an IPO trademark. DTI (or SEC, for companies) lets you operate under a business or company name. Only an IPOPHL trademark can give you exclusive brand rights for the goods or services in the registration, nationwide. For a fuller comparison, see Trademark vs Business Name (DTI).
Do I need a trademark search before I file?
It is not required to obtain a filing date, but it is strongly advisable. A search of IPOPHL WIPO Publish and the Philippine trademark database can reveal identical or similar marks in your class before you pay official fees and invest in branding. Recurra can do this search with you. See How to Conduct a Trademark Search in the Philippines.
How long does a Philippine trademark last, and can it be renewed?
A registration lasts 10 years from registration and may be renewed for further 10-year terms. You may file a renewal in the six months before expiration, or in the six months after expiration if you also pay the renewal surcharge. You must also file each required Declaration of Actual Use, or the mark can be removed.
When do I file a Declaration of Actual Use (DAU)?
File the first DAU within three years from the filing date (a six-month extension is available only if requested before that deadline). File the next DAU within one year from the fifth anniversary of registration. After renewal, file a DAU within one year from the renewal date (for renewals due 1 January 2017 onwards) and again within one year from the fifth anniversary of each renewal. Attach evidence of actual use in the Philippines and pay the official fee.
What is the opposition period?
After an allowed application is published, third parties have 30 days to file a verified opposition, with the required fee, if they believe they would be damaged by the registration. The Director of Legal Affairs may extend that period for good cause, with a surcharge. If no opposition succeeds, IPOPHL may issue the certificate upon payment of the issuance fee.
Do I need a Philippine agent to file?
If you are based in the Philippines, you may file on your own through eTMFile, though many applicants use an agent to classify goods, draft the specification, and watch deadlines. If you are not domiciled here and have no real and effective commercial establishment in the Philippines, you must designate a Philippine resident for service of notices. Recurra can act in that role.
Get a free consultation
Tell us the brand you want to protect and the goods or services it covers. We will discuss the search, the likely classes, the official fees, and a filing plan. We quote our professional fee once we understand the case. There is no obligation.
You can also read Understanding Trademarks in the Philippines, our trademark search guide, and Trademark vs Business Name (DTI) before we speak, or learn more about Recurra. Protecting an invention instead? See Patent and Utility Model Registration.
