Global overview of trademark application success rates
Filing a trademark internationally is more than just paperwork—it requires insight. We analyzed trademark application success rates across 69 major Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs), and here's what we found:
This global overview shows that choosing where and how to file can have a major impact on your likelihood of success. Understanding these variations can help businesses develop a smarter, more effective international trademark strategy.
Top 10 countries by trademark application success rate
The success rate for trademark applications can vary widely depending on the jurisdiction. At the top end, Monaco leads with an impressive 98.52% approval rate, followed closely by San Marino and Benelux.
Country | Office code | Success rate |
|---|---|---|
Monaco | MCIPO | 98.52% |
San Marino | USBM | 97.21% |
Benelux | BOIP | 90.90% |
European Union | EUIPO | 90.80% |
Cyprus | DRCIP | 90.68% |
Greece | OBI | 89.55% |
Croatia | DZIV | 89.20% |
Lithuania | VPB | 89.18% |
Qatar | QA | 89.02% |
Singapore | IPOS | 88.94% |
Bottom 10 countries by trademark application success rate
In contrast, applicants face more challenges in Bangladesh and Iran, where approval rates fall below 25%. Even some of the more well-known jurisdictions internationally, like the Australia (IPA) and CIPO (Canada), have a relatively lower success rates of 52.52% and 50.76%, respectively.
Country | Office code | Success rate |
|---|---|---|
Vietnam | IP-Vietnam | 56.05% |
Australia | IPA | 52.52% |
Philippines | IPOPHL | 51.84% |
Brazil | NPI | 51.15% |
Canada | CIPO | 50.76% |
Peru | INDECOPI | 47.30% |
Pakistan | IPO-Pakistan | 44.28% |
Egypt | EGPO | 38.64% |
Bangladesh | DPDT | 24.33% |
Iran | IIPO | 24.12% |
3 main factors affecting trademark application success
1. IPO examination policies:
The internal examination processes of each Intellectual Property Office (IPO) significantly impact trademark application success rates. Some IPOs operate under strict, proactive review systems, while others rely more heavily on post-filing opposition.
For example, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) follows an ex officio examination system, meaning examiners are obligated to search for and refuse applications that conflict with existing trademarks. This rigorous approach helps explain the U.S.’s moderate success rate of 56.91%, despite its mature legal system and high volume of filings.
In contrast, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) primarily operates under a post-registration opposition model, where the responsibility to challenge a conflicting trademark falls on existing rights holders. Because EUIPO examiners do not proactively reject applications based on prior marks, this can result in higher initial approval rates—though contested marks can still be blocked during the opposition period.
These structural differences underline the importance of understanding how IPO policies affect your filing strategy. Applicants targeting jurisdictions like the U.S. must place greater emphasis on comprehensive trademark searches and conflict avoidance prior to filing, while those filing in the EU should be prepared for potential oppositions after registration.
2. Market competitiveness:
Highly competitive markets with a large number of trademark filings come with their own set of challenges due to increased scrutiny from IPO examiners. Countries like the United States and Canada are examples of highly competitive markets where the application process can be more challenging.
Take, for example, the United Kingdom and Canada. Despite having similar population sizes, the UK receives significantly more trademark applications per capita. This suggests a stronger culture of brand protection, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not just large corporations. In the UK, SMEs are clearly more proactive in protecting their intellectual property early in their business journey.
However, this increased volume also means greater competition and more potential for conflicting filings, which can drive down success rates, particularly for those navigating the process without professional support.
3. Client and attorney involvement:
The level of understanding of the trademark process and willingness to get legal support significantly influence the chances of success. Applicants who engage professional legal services tend to prepare better applications and are more proactive in responding to potential issues, which overall leads to a much higher registration success rates.
Why legal support is critical in trademark registration
Trademark applications can be complex, with each country’s Intellectual Property Office having its own rules and standards. Working with trademark lawyers who understand these differences and can navigate the process can greatly increase your chances of successful registration. Here are just a few steps a professional trademark lawyer can cover:
Tailored strategies for each country Trademark law differs from country to country. Lawyers provide country-specific strategies to enhance your chances of approval, focusing on aspects like distinctiveness or prior trademark conflicts.
Managing office actions IPOs may issue Office Actions, requesting additional information or amendments. Trademark lawyers know how to respond effectively, keeping your application on track and preventing delays.
Leverage insider knowledge At Trama, our team includes former IPO examiners, giving us insider knowledge of how different IPOs operate, allowing us to navigate the process efficiently and maximize your chances of success.
Submit your trademark for a free lawyer’s check
Trademark applications can be tricky, but with legal support from experienced trademark lawyers, you’ll have the best chance for success. At Trama, we combine legal expertise with insider knowledge to help protect your brand globally. To get started, take advantage of our free lawyer’s check. Let us review your trademark application and provide expert advice on the best way forward—at no cost to you!
