How to Register a Trademark in Chile: Steps and Tips You Need to Know
Registering your trademark in Chile protects your business identity and grants you exclusive rights to use it.
At Von Marttens, we advise you at every stage of the process.
How to Register a Trademark in Chile: Steps and Tips You Need to Know
Imagine launching your business, attracting customers, and watching your brand start to become well known. Then one day you discover that someone else is using a name or logo similar to yours. What can you do in that case? If your trademark is not registered, you will be at a disadvantage when trying to defend it legally.
That’s why registering your trademark in Chile is not just a bureaucratic formality: it is about securing your business’s identity and long-term value. The process is carried out before the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), and although it follows a fairly structured path, knowing it in advance will make it much easier.
How to Register Your Trademark
Start with a search
The first step is to make sure your trademark is unique. To do this, check INAPI’s database and confirm that there is no identical or overly similar trademark already registered. This will help you avoid rejections later on.
File your application
Once you are clear about what you want to protect (name, logo, products, or services), it is time to formalize the application.
Most applications are submitted online through INAPI’s website, where you must complete a form and choose the class of products or services your trademark will cover.
In exceptional cases, it is also possible to apply in person at INAPI’s office in Santiago.
The initial fee
After submitting the application, you must pay an initial fee to the General Treasury of the Republic.
Formal examination
INAPI reviews whether your application meets the basic formal requirements. If everything is in order, the application is accepted for processing.
Publication in the Official Gazette
At this stage, your trademark “comes into the public eye.” Within 20 business days, you must request and pay for the publication of the extract of your application. From that moment, a 30-day period begins during which third parties may file oppositions.
Substantive examination
Once the previous stage is completed, INAPI conducts a detailed analysis to determine whether your trademark can be registered in accordance with the law. This is the most important filter in the process.
Decision and final payment
If there are no obstacles, INAPI issues the decision granting the registration. To complete the process, you must make a second payment within 60 business days.
The trademark is yours
With this final step, your trademark is officially registered for 10 years, with the possibility of renewing it indefinitely.
What You Should Not Overlook
- Publication costs: in addition to INAPI fees, you must consider the cost of publication in the Official Gazette.
- Registration from abroad: if you do not live in Chile, you will need a legal representative in the country to carry out the process.
- Renewals and appeals: your trademark is registered for 10 years, but it can be renewed as many times as you wish. If your application is rejected, you have the option to appeal before the Industrial Property Court.
Why Work with a Lawyer?
Although the registration process is available to anyone, in practice it can become complex. Choosing the correct class of products or services, responding to INAPI observations, or facing an opposition filed by third parties are situations where legal advice makes a real difference.
A specialized lawyer not only helps you avoid formal errors that could delay the process, but also protects your strategic interests, ensuring that your trademark is truly safeguarded against potential conflicts.
More Than a Formality—An Investment
Registering your trademark does more than give you an official certificate: it protects the reputation you build day by day. It grants you the exclusive right to use your name or logo, sets you apart from competitors, and opens the door to new opportunities such as franchises, licensing, or international expansion.
Ultimately, your trademark is a business asset, and registration is the best way to protect its value.
At Von Marttens, We Help You Protect What You Build
At Von Marttens, we understand that your trademark is much more than a name: it reflects your effort, your reputation, and your place in the market. Our legal team supports you throughout the entire trademark registration process in Chile, from the initial search to the final decision, ensuring your business is protected in a solid and strategic way.
If you are thinking about registering your trademark or need advice to address observations or oppositions, contact us and let’s talk about how we can help you.
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*AI Usage Disclosure:* This article was written by members of our team; however, AI tools were used to improve readability and structure the text for search engines.
