A registered trademark gives your company exclusive rights over registered ​distinctive signs​ – such as names, logos, colors, images, patterns, shapes, packaging of goods, or sounds – which identify your products and distinguish your goods or services from others.

In most countries, trademark protection lasts 10 years, starting from the date of your trademark application. You can then renew your trademark protection for 10 years each time, for as long as you like. When you own a trademark, you can sell it to someone else or give them permission to use it through a trademark licensing agreement.

For registering a trademark for your Estonian company you have three different options.

1. If you only plan to trade in Estonia, you might need protection only in Estonia. In this case, you can register a trademark with the Estonian Patent Office.

2. If you need protection in all EU countries, you should register a European Union trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

3. For international protection, in particular, if your company trades outside the EU, you can register your trademark with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Registering a trademark might carry a substantial cost and take several years depending on the trademark you apply for.

If you need any help with trademark registration we suggest contacting Trademark and Patent Office Käosaar.

Please note that filing for a patent follows different rules. Read more here.