TerraLex Cross-Border Guide to Cross-Border Trademark Guide

Welcome to the TerraLex cross-border trademark guide

Utilizing the TerraLex Cross-Border Trademark Guide, you can now compare trademark regulation across jurisdictions as well as connect with practitioners.

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Brazil Cross-Border Trademark Guide Guide

Date posted:
11/10/2022
Last update:
15/04/2025

Generalities

Trademark protection arises through

See below

1.1. Simple effective use in commerce?

No.

1.2. Registration?

Yes.

1.3. Cautionary notice?

No.

1.4. Intensive use (notoriety)?

Yes.

1.5. Public recognition?

No.

1.6. Well-known character?

No.

1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?

N/A

Registrable types of mark

See below

2.1. Individual mark?

Yes.

2.2. Collective mark?

Yes.

2.3. Certification mark?

Yes.

2.4. Well-known mark?

Yes.

2.5. Other (if yes, please specify)?

N/A

Registrable forms of mark

See below

3.1. Word mark?

Yes.

3.2. Figurative mark with word elements?

Yes.

3.3. Figurative mark?

Yes.

3.4. Shape mark?

Yes.

3.5. Shape mark with word elements?

Yes.

3.6. Position mark?

Yes.

3.7. Pattern mark?

No.

3.8. Color (single) mark?

No.

3.9. Color (combination) mark?

No.

3.10. Sound mark?

No.

3.11. Motion mark?

No.

3.12. Multimedia mark?

No.

3.13. Hologram mark?

No.

3.14. Other (if yes, please specify)?

N/A

Possibility of claiming a foreign priority

Yes.

4.1. If yes, what is the time limit (months from date of…)?

Six months from date of deposit in the foreign country, as long as said country is a signatory of the Paris Convention.

Classification of goods and services

See below

5.1. Nice classification adopted (if yes, indicate applicable version)?

Yes. Version 12.

5.2. Local subclass system?

No.

Possible claims against new application

See below

6.1. Opposition proceedings implemented in trademark law?

Yes.

6.1.1. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior registered trademark?

Yes.

6.1.2. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior pending trademark application?

Yes.

6.1.3. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered trademark in use?

Yes.

6.1.4. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered notorious/famous mark?

Yes.

6.1.5. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior company name/trade name?

Yes.

6.1.6. If yes, is the basis for opposition absolute grounds?

Yes.

6.1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?

N/A

Observations from third parties? (If yes, indicate the basis for such observations.)

Yes.

7.1. Prior registered mark?

Yes.

7.2. Prior pending trademark application?

Yes.

7.3. Prior non-registered trademark in use?

Yes.

7.4. Prior non-registered notorious/famous mark?

Yes.

7.5. Prior company/trade name?

Yes.

7.6. Absolute grounds?

Yes.

7.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?

N/A

Mandatory formalities preliminary to filing application?

No.

8.1. Similarity search

No.

8.1.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?

N/A

8.2. Others?

No.

8.2.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?

N/A

Specification of goods and services

Class system

See below

9.1. Single class system?

Yes.

9.2. Multiclass system?

No.

9.2.1. Separate applications for goods and services mandatory?

Yes.

Possible restrictions on goods/services (e.g. alcoholic beverages, retail services, etc. not allowed, or only class headings eligible, etc.)

Yes.

10.1. If yes, please specify.

Special claims/regulations

See below

11.1. Claim of previous use possible?

Yes.

11.1.1. If yes, is proof required (affidavit, use specimens, etc.)?

Yes.

11.1.2. If yes, through which kinds of proceedings can the proof of use be requested (opposition, cancelation, renewal proceedings, etc.)?

Opposition, Appeals against the denial of the application.

11.2. Disclaimer

See below

11.3. Previous registration in country of origin required

Yes.

11.4. Changes in the mark appearance during the application proceedings possible

Yes.

11.5. Restrictions regarding trademark owner (e.g. trademark protection not eligible for owner from particular countries).

No.

11.5.1. If yes, please specify.

N/A

11.6. Is there any legal term from which the trademark must be used in order to avoid a possible cancellation?

Yes.

11.6.1. If yes, please specify.

If the trademark is not used for 5 years from the date of concession, it can be expired due to forfeiture.

11.7. Other (if yes, please specify)

N/A

Filing documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)

See below

12.1. Power of attorney

Yes (scanned copies permitted).

12.2. Evidence of pre-registration in country of origin

No.

12.3. Priority documents (if priority claimed)

Yes (scanned copies permitted).

12.4. Other (if yes, please specify)

See below

Late filing of documents

See below

13.1. Is late filing of documents permitted?

Yes.

13.1.1. If yes, please indicate the time limit (days/months from....).

It depends on which document is needed.

13.2. Official late filing fee due?

No.

Means for representation of the mark (for instance JPEG with XY pixels)

See below

14.1. Figurative mark with word elements

JPG (jpeg), 945 x 945 pixels (8cm x 8 cm), 300 dpis, 2mb maximum

14.2. Figurative mark

JPG (jpeg), 945 x 945 pixels (8cm x 8 cm), 300 dpis, 2mb maximum

14.3. Shape mark

JPG (jpeg), 945 x 945 pixels (8cm x 8 cm), 300 dpis, 2mb maximum

14.4. Shape mark with word elements

JPG (jpeg), 945 x 945 pixels (8cm x 8 cm), 300 dpis, 2mb maximum

14.5. Position mark

14.6. Pattern mark

N/A

14.7. Color (single) mark

N/A

14.8. Color (combination) mark

N/A

14.9. Sound mark

N/A

14.10. Motion mark

N/A

14.11. Multimedia mark

N/A

14.12. Hologram mark

N/A

Local legal representatives for foreign applicants

See below

15.1. Are local legal representatives mandatory for foreign applicants?

Yes.

15.2. Possibility of having representatives domiciled in another country?

No.

15.2.1. If yes, please specify the countries.

N/A

Examination

See below

16.1. Is there formal examination?

Yes.

16.1.1. If yes, does the formal examination take place prior to the publication of the application?

Yes, there is a formal examination prior to the publication of the application.

16.2. Is there examination on absolute grounds?

Yes.

16.3. Is there examination on relative grounds?

Yes.

16.4. Can relative grounds be objected by the Trademark Office or only by the prior rights' owners?

Yes.

16.5. Are letters of consent admissible to overcome ex-officio citations of prior marks?

No.

16.5.1. If yes, is notarization or legalization required?

N/A

16.6. Is there an examination timeframe if no official objections are raised?

No.

Publication

See below

17.1. Publication before registration?

Yes.

17.2. Publication after registration?

Yes.

17.3. Publication in trademark Gazette?

Yes.

17.4. Publication in local newspapers?

No.

17.5. Official publication fee due?

No.

Registration

See below

18.1. Certificate of Registration in paper form?

No.

18.2. Certificate of Registration in electronic form?

Yes.

18.3. Term of protection of the mark? Please include term details

Yes (ten years).

18.3.1. As from priority date?

No.

18.3.2. As from filing date?

No.

18.3.3. As from registration date?

No.

18.3.4. As from actual registration date?

Yes.

18.3.5. As from date of issuance of Certificate of Registration?

No.

18.3.6. Other (if yes, please specify)

N/A

18.4. End of grace period of use? Please include term details

No.

18.4.1. As from official registration date?

No.

18.4.2. As from actual registration date?

No.

18.4.3. As from end of opposition deadline?

No.

18.4.4. As from conclusion of opposition proceedings (if any)?

No.

18.4.5. Other (if yes, please specify)

N/A

18.5. How long can we expect a decision on the application by BPTO?

BPTO normally take one to two years, if there is no opposition and two to four years if there is opposition, until they reach a decision on the applications.

Official fees due at the time

See below

19.1. Filing

Yes.

19.2. Publication

No.

19.3. Registration

Yes.

19.4. Other (if yes, please specify)

Yes (Oppositions, Manifestations, Appeals, Assignments, Transfers of trademarks, Changes of Adresses, etc.).

Renewal

Documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)

See below

20.1. Power of attorney

No.

20.2. Original registration certificate

No.

20.3. Affidavit of use

No.

20.4. Evidence of use

No.

20.5. Others (if yes, please specify)

No.

Is the late filing of documents admissible? If yes, please indicate the time limit.

No.

21.1. Official late filing fee due?

No.

Is there a renewal grace period provided for by law? If yes, please indicate the timing.

No.

Special maintenance requirements

See below

23.1. First declaration of use?

No.

23.2. Time to file?

No.

23.3. Extensions permitted?

No.

23.3.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted)

N/A

23.4. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?

No.

23.5. Second declaration of use? If other, please specify.

No.

23.6. Time to file?

No.

23.7. Extensions permitted?

See below

23.7.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted).

See below

23.8. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?

No.

Recording of changes/limitation

See below

24.1 Limitations of lists of goods/services?

Yes.

24.1.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?

At any stage.

24.1.2. Official fees due?

Yes.

24.2. Change in name or address of owner?

Yes.

24.2.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?

At any stage.

24.2.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?

Yes, scanned documents are accepted.

24.2.3. Official fees due?

See below

24.3. Change in ownership?

Yes.

24.3.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?

At any stage.

24.3.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?

Yes, scanned documents are accepted.

24.3.3. Official fees due?

Yes.

24.4. Change of representative?

Yes.

24.4.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?

At any stage.

24.4.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?

Yes (scanned copies permitted).

24.4.3. Official fees due?

Yes.

Disclaimer: This guide contains summaries of general principles of law. It is not a substitute for specific legal advice and should not be relied upon in relation to the application of the law or subject matter covered.