Trademark protection arises through
See below.
TerraLex Cross-Border Guide to Cross-Border Trademark Guide
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Poland Cross-Border Trademark Guide Guide
- Authors:
- Krzysztof Szczecina, Zbigniew Drzewiecki
- Date posted:
- 19/03/2026
- Last update:
- 19/03/2026
Generalities
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?
Yes.
1.6. Well-known character?
Yes.
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?
No.
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?
Yes.
3.8. Color (single) mark?
Yes.
3.9. Color (combination) mark?
Yes.
3.10. Sound mark?
Yes.
3.11. Motion mark?
Yes.
3.12. Multimedia mark?
Yes.
3.13. Hologram mark?
Yes.
3.14. Other (if yes, please specify)?
The Industrial Property Law (i.e. the main legal act regulating the method of granting protection for a national trademark) does not close the catalogue of designations that may be registered as trademarks. The most important thing is that the submitted designation has a distinctive character and that it can be presented in the trademark register.
Possibility of claiming a foreign priority
Yes.
4.1. If yes, what is the time limit (months from date of…)?
Foreign applications - Priority to obtain trademark protection is vested in the Republic of Poland on the principles laid down in international agreements according to the priority date of the first correct trademark application if the application is filed with the Patent Office within 6 months of this date.
Exhibition priority - Priority to obtain trademark protection is determined, on the principles laid down in international agreements, according to the date a good is exhibited under this mark in Poland or abroad at an official or officially recognized international exhibition, if an application for this trademark is filed with the Patent Office within 6 months of this date.
Classification of goods and services
See below.
5.1. Nice classification adopted (if yes, indicate applicable version)?
Yes (NCL 11-2021).
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?
No.
6.1.4. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered notorious/famous mark?
No.
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?
No.
6.1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Yes, a person entitled to exercise rights arising from a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication may file an opposition to a trademark application.
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?
No.
7.4. Prior non-registered notorious/famous mark?
No.
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?
No.
9.2. Multiclass system?
Yes.
9.2.1. Separate applications for goods and services mandatory?
No.
Possible restrictions on goods/services (e.g. alcoholic beverages, retail services, etc. not allowed, or only class headings eligible, etc.)
No.
10.1. If yes, please specify.
N/A
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 and cancellation proceedings.
11.2. Disclaimer
No.
11.3. Previous registration in country of origin required
No.
11.4. Changes in the mark appearance during the application proceedings possible
No.
11.5. Restrictions regarding trademark owner (e.g. trademark protection not eligible for owner from particular countries).
Yes.
11.5.1. If yes, please specify.
When filing a trademark application, it is necessary to submit a declaration that the Applicant is not subject to any of the circumstances specified in Article 5s of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in connection with Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (amendment introduced by Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024).
11.6. Is there any legal term from which the trademark must be used in order to avoid a possible cancellation?
11.6.1. If yes, please specify.
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, original at the request of the PPO.
12.2. Evidence of pre-registration in country of origin
No.
12.3. Priority documents (if priority claimed)
Yes, scanned copies permitted, original at the request of the PPO.
12.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
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....).
One month, if the party is domiciled or has its registered office in the Republic of Poland or two months, if the party is domiciled or has its registered office abroad.
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
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.2. Figurative mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.3. Shape mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.4. Shape mark with word elements
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.5. Position mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.6. Pattern mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.7. Color (single) mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.8. Color (combination) mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi
14.9. Sound mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi MP3 - maximum file size: 5 MB, audio stream: 1 or 2 channels, bit rate: minimum 128 kbps.
14.10. Motion mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi MP4 - maximum file size: 50 MB; image parameters: video stream in quality: 720p, 1080p, 1440p or 2060p; sound parameters: audio stream: 1 or 2 channels, bit rate: minimum 128 kbps.
14.11. Multimedia mark
MP4 - maximum file size: 50 MB; image parameters: video stream in quality: 720p, 1080p, 1440p or 2060p; sound parameters: audio stream: 1 or 2 channels, bit rate: minimum 128 kbps.
14.12. Hologram mark
JPEG - min. 150 dpi, optimal 300 dpi MP4 - maximum file size: 50 MB; image parameters: video stream in quality: 720p, 1080p, 1440p or 2060p; sound parameters: audio stream: 1 or 2 channels, bit rate: minimum 128 kbps.
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?
Yes.
15.2.1. If yes, please specify the countries.
European Union, provided they are authorized to represent in the proceedings before the PPO.
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.
16.2. Is there examination on absolute grounds?
Yes.
16.3. Is there examination on relative grounds?
No.
16.4. Can relative grounds be objected by the Trademark Office or only by the prior rights' owners?
Prior rights’ owners
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?
Yes.
Registration
See below
18.1. Certificate of Registration in paper form?
Yes.
18.2. Certificate of Registration in electronic form?
No.
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?
Yes.
18.3.3. As from registration date?
No.
18.3.4. As from actual registration date?
No.
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
Yes, five years.
18.4.1. As from official registration date?
Yes.
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)
Failure to use the registered trademark in a genuine manner for goods covered by the right of protection for an uninterrupted period of five years after the date of issue of the decision on granting the right of protection, unless there are important reasons for non-use.
18.5. How long can we expect a decision on the application by BPTO?
About three to six months.
Official fees due at the time
See below
19.1. Filing
Yes.
19.2. Publication
Yes.
19.3. Registration
Yes.
19.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
19.5. Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the fees are accessible and updated.
One-time Fees https://uprp.gov.pl/pl/przedmioty-ochrony/znaki-towarowe/procedura-krajowa-/oplaty-zgloszeniowe
Recurring Fees https://uprp.gov.pl/pl/przedmioty-ochrony/znaki-towarowe/procedura-krajowa-/oplaty-za-ochrone-przedluzenie
Renewal
Documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
See below
20.1. Power of attorney
Yes, scanned copies permitted, original at the request of the PPO.
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)
N/A
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.
Yes, six months.
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?
No.
23.7.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted).
N/A
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?
Yes.
24.1.2. Official fees due?
No.
24.2. Change in name or address of owner?
Yes.
24.2.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.2.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Documents from which the changes result, i.e. an extract from the relevant register, a resolution of the management board of the company with its translation into Polish. Usually, a copy of the document is sufficient.
24.2.3. Official fees due?
Yes.
24.3. Change in ownership?
Yes.
24.3.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.3.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Documents from which the changes result, i.e. an extract from the relevant register. Usually, a copy of the document is sufficient; original at the request of the PPO.
24.3.3. Official fees due?
Yes, the official fee for making one change in the trademark register is PLN 70.00.
24.4. Change of representative?
Yes.
24.4.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.4.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Yes, new PoA (scanned version).
24.4.3. Official fees due?
Yes (PLN 17.00)
Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the official fees are accessible and updated.
https://uprp.gov.pl/pl/przedmioty-ochrony/znaki-towarowe/procedura-krajowa-/oplaty-za-ochrone-przedluzenie
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.