Prepare for the trademark application
Good preparation increases the chance of quick case processing and an approved trademark application. Here we go through the points you should have thought through before you start the application.
Application process timeline
Here you can see a simplified overview of the various steps in an application process when submitting a trademark application to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office.
This must be included in a trademark application
What kind of trademark should you register?
You must decide which type of trademark you want protection for.
You cannot apply for several types of trademark in the same application. For example, if you want to register both a word mark and a figure mark, you must submit two separate applications.
What are you going to make money on?
When you apply for trademark registration, you must state what the trademark is to be used for. We call this goods and services (products).
All goods and services are grouped into classes. The products are placed in a class based on the product's function, purpose and material, while services are placed in different classes according to industries/business areas.
You cannot add more products after you have submitted the application. Therefore, think carefully about which products you will use the trademark on now and in the future.
A list of goods and services can never be expanded after the application has been submitted, but it can be limited.
File formats
When you fill in the application, you must attach a file showing how the trademark looks (does not apply to word marks). It may also be appropriate to upload other types of documents, such as a power of attorney.
We recommend you use the following file formats:
- For images: .jpg
- For audio: MP3
- For video: MP4
- For text documents: .docx or .PDF
Have you registered a trademark in another country?
If your trademark is registered, you basically get protection from the day you submitted the application. If you have previously submitted an identical trademark application abroad, you can claim priority in the application. This means that your brand gets protection already from the filing date abroad.
In the application, you can also claim priority from a previous exhibition, and on the basis of conversion from international registration to national application.
Are you applying abroad?
Your Norwegian trademark application is only valid in Norway. If you want protection in multiple countries, there are different ways to proceed.
Read more about applying for trademarks in other countriesPayment
The price you must pay is calculated during the application process. The starting price includes registration of the trademark in one category (class). Each class beyond this comes in addition.
You pay at the same time as you submit the application via our Application guide.
If you submit your application via Altinn, you can pay upon submission or ask to be sent an invoice.
Good to know: if you pay when you submit your application, the processing time will be shorter (if the application otherwise meets the requirements).
This could stop your trademark
1. The trademark lacks distinctiveness
2. The trademark may be confused with others
3. The trademark is contrary to law and morality
4. The trademark application has defects
Frequently asked questions about the trademark application
Start application
Are you ready to start the application?
You cannot make major changes to the application after it has been submitted. It is therefore important that you are well prepared.
Do you need help in the application process?
Get an overview of the possibilities available to you and what you must do if you wish to file an application. The experts at NIPO are very experienced and can give you insight into what is important for you to consider during the application process.
What happens next?
We register your trademark, or contact you if the application has deficiencies or registration obstacles.
How does correspondence with the Norwegian Industrial Property Office take place?
Once you have submitted the application, all further correspondence in the application processing between you and us will take place digitally. We send you an e-mail and ask you to read the message from us in your inbox in Altinn.
If the application was submitted on behalf of a company, the message is in the company's inbox in Altinn.
You will find the application receipt in the archive in Altinn. In the inbox you will also find any started applications that have not been submitted.