🛡️ Trademark in Costa Rica: Guide After the Company Name Reform
With the 2025 reform in Costa Rica, registering your trademark and your commercial name has become essential to protect your brand identity and business entity legally.
✅ What Is a Trademark in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, a trademark is any word, logo, image, figure or sign—or combination thereof—that distinguishes goods or services in the marketplace. The registration process is conducted through the Industrial Property Registry.
- Word marks (denominative)
- Figurative marks (logos)
- Mixed marks (word + image)
- Three-dimensional or olfactory marks
🔎 Why You Must Register Both Trademark and Commercial Name
Post-reform, newly formed companies can no longer include a trade name in their articles of incorporation—making registration of a commercial name the only legal way to protect your company identity.
A trademark protects your products and services, while a commercial name protects the business entity itself—whether it’s a physical store or an online venture.
- 🛡️ Exclusive legal protection
- 🌎 Clear market identity
- 💰 Intangible asset with commercial value
- 📄 Enables licensing, franchising and regional expansion
📝 Trademark vs. Commercial Name: Key Differences
| Feature | Trademark | Commercial Name |
|---|---|---|
| Object | Products/Services | Business or Company |
| Registry | Industrial Property Registry | Industrial Property Registry |
| Duration | 10 years (renewable) | Unlimited while in use |
| Protection | Against similar marks | Against confusingly similar names |
🏛️ How to Register Your Trademark in Costa Rica
AG Legal recommends professional legal assistance before investing in branding, packaging or advertising. Our IP team handles:
- Prior search in the National Registry
- Filing application with Industrial Property Registry
- Publication in La Gaceta for two months
- Handling objections or appeals
- Issuance of ownership certificate
📚 Legal Basis & Name Protection
Under Article 2 of the Trademark Law, a commercial name identifies and distinguishes a business. Article 66 allows enforcement actions against confusingly similar names.
With the Company Name Reform of 2025, legal protection of your commercial name is essential to maintain exclusivity in the marketplace.
💼 AG Legal: Your IP Partner in Costa Rica
AG Legal offers comprehensive legal services for trademark and commercial name registration, protection against infringements, and regional filings across Central America.
Need Assistance Registering a Trademark in Costa Rica?
Let AG Legal guide your application, opposition handling, and corporate name protections with confidence and legal efficiency.