Armenia
Armenia is a member of the Paris Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Eurasian Patent Convention, the Madrid Agreement and Protocol for trademarks, and the Hague Agreement for industrial designs. Trademarks are protected for 10 years (renewable), patents for 20 years, and industrial designs for up to 25 years. The .am country code domain is open to all applicants without local presence requirements. This page covers the filing requirements, legal basis, and key deadlines for protecting intellectual property in Armenia.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 29,800 sq. km.
Population: 2,976,765 (2024).
Capital: Yerevan.
Language: Armenian.
Currency: Dram.
GENERAL REMARKS
Armenia used to be part of the former Soviet Union. The Republic of Armenia was proclaimed an independent State by Parliament on September 21, 1991, following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of August 23, 1990.
Member of the Eurasian Patent Convention since February 27, 1996.
PATENTS OF INVENTION
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Patents, effective as of July 1, 2021.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, since May 17, 1994.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), since May 17, 1994.
- Eurasian Patent Convention, since February 27, 1996.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (sealed by the applicant or notarized);
- Specification and abstract (to be translated into Armenian);
- Drawings, if any;
- Priority document, if priority is claimed, to be filed within three months from the filing date.
REMARKS
National Phase of PCT: under Chapter I and II: 31 months.
Validity: patent issued after full examination – valid for 20 years.
Annuities: are due from the second year after filing.
Objections: can be filed with the IP Office after publication of the application, but not later than before any decision is made by the IP Office. Objection against the granting of a short-term patent must be filed within six months from publication.
TRADE AND SERVICE MARKS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Trademarks, effective as of July 1, 2010, with further changes of June 16, 2011, October 19, 2016, and August 12, 2023.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, since May 17, 1994.
- Madrid Agreement, since May 17, 1994.
- Madrid Protocol, since October 19, 2000.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (sealed by the applicant or notarized);
- A representation of the trademark;
- List of goods and services, according to the International Classification;
- Priority document, if any (to be filed within three months from the filing date).
REMARKS
Kinds of protection: word marks, device marks and other distinctive combinations thereof, in color or color combinations, holograms, sounds. Service marks are registrable. Besides the original version, filing of word mark applications in the Armenian script is highly recommended.
Classification: International.
Obligation to use the registered mark: compulsory. An interested third party may request the cancellation of a mark if it has not been used during three consecutive years after the registration date (to be filed before the court only); nominal use (advertising, publications) is accepted in absence of actual use.
Duration – renewals: 10-year period after the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods.
Opposition: possible during the entire period of validity, or in some cases, within a period of five years after publication (if a prior registration exists), provided the plaintiff justifies that they first knew about existence of such registration no more than two months before filing of the action.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Industrial Designs, effective as of July 1, 2021.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, since May 17, 1994.
- Hague Agreement, Geneva Act, since July 13, 2007.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (sealed by the applicant or notarized);
- Photographs and drawings;
- Specification of the design;
- Priority document, if any.
REMARKS
Duration: 5 years from the filing date with possibility of renewals up to 25 years.
Opposition: as for patents.
DOMAIN NAMES
LEGAL BASIS
There is no specific legislation although some regulations on the organization and management of country code top-level domain names do exist.
FILING
- ccTLD: .am
- Applicant: individuals and legal entities.
- Local Presence: not required.
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: one to five years, renewable.
Uniform dispute resolution procedure: none.
Frequently Asked Questions — IP Protection in Armenia
What documents are required to register a trademark in Armenia?
To register a trademark in Armenia, you need a Power of Attorney (sealed by the applicant or notarized), a representation of the trademark, a list of goods and services according to the International Classification, and a priority document if applicable (to be filed within 3 months). Filing word mark applications in Armenian script is highly recommended.
Can I register a trademark in Armenia through the international Madrid System?
Armenia is a member of the Madrid Agreement (since 1994) and Madrid Protocol (since 2000), so international registration via WIPO is also possible.
What kinds of trademarks may be registered in Armenia?
In Armenia, the following types of marks are registrable: word marks, device marks and other distinctive combinations thereof, in color or color combinations, holograms, and sounds. Service marks are also registrable. Besides the original version, filing of word mark applications in the Armenian script is highly recommended.
How long is the trademark opposition period in Armenia?
In Armenia, the trademark opposition period is two months from publication of the trademark application. Opposition is also possible during the entire period of validity of the registration, or within 5 years after publication if a prior registration exists, provided the plaintiff can justify that they first learned of the registration no more than 2 months before filing the action.
How long does trademark protection last in Armenia?
A trademark in Armenia is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods. Use is compulsory — an interested third party can request cancellation through the courts if the mark has not been used for 3 consecutive years after registration. Nominal use (advertising, publications) is accepted in the absence of actual commercial use.
Must a trademark be used in Armenia?
Use is compulsory. An interested third party may request the cancellation of a mark if it has not been used during three consecutive years after the registration date (to be filed before the court only). Nominal use (advertising, publications) is accepted in the absence of actual use.
What are the routes for filing a patent in Armenia?
Armenia is a member of the PCT (since 1994) and the Eurasian Patent Convention (since 1996), giving applicants multiple filing routes. For a national filing, you need a Power of Attorney (sealed or notarized), a specification and abstract translated into Armenian, drawings if applicable, and a priority document (within 3 months). For PCT national phase entry, the deadline is 31 months (Chapter I and II). Patents are valid for 20 years after full examination.
How long is the patent opposition period in Armenia?
In Armenia, objections can be filed with the IP Office after publication of the application, but not later than before any decision is made by the IP Office. Objection against the granting of a short-term patent must be filed within six months from publication.
When are patent annuities due in Armenia?
Patent annuities in Armenia are due from the second year after the filing date. Timely payment is essential to maintain the patent in force throughout its 20-year validity period. For detailed current deadlines and practitioner guidance, consult Katzarov’s Manual on Industrial Property.
How do I register an industrial design in Armenia?
Industrial designs in Armenia are protected under the Law on Industrial Designs (effective July 1, 2021). Filing requires a Power of Attorney (sealed or notarized), photographs and drawings, a specification of the design, and a priority document if applicable. Armenia is a member of the Hague Agreement (Geneva Act, since 2007), allowing international registration. Protection lasts 5 years from filing, renewable up to 25 years.
How do I register a .am domain name?
The .am domain is Armenia’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD). Both individuals and legal entities can register, and no local presence in Armenia is required. Registration periods range from 1 to 5 years and are renewable. Note that there is no specific domain name legislation and no uniform dispute resolution procedure (UDRP) is available.
Does the power of attorney need notarization or legalization in Armenia?
The POA must be signed by the director/president/CEO of the company and certified with the company seal/stamp (if available). If signed by another authorized person, the document must be notarized. Legalization is not required.
Where can I search the Armenian trademark database?
Armenia’s trademark register is maintained by the Intellectual Property Office (AIPO). Effective searching requires knowledge of Nice Classification, Armenian transliteration rules, and interpretation of legal status codes. For comprehensive trademark searches and clearance opinions, contact Katzarov’s team.
Where can I search for patents in Armenia?
Patent records in Armenia are maintained by the Intellectual Property Office (AIPO). For professional patent searches, contact Katzarov’s team.
What is the contact information for the Armenian IP Office?
The Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Armenia (AIPO): Address: 5/1 M. Mkrtchyan, Yerevan 0010, Armenia. Phone: (+374) 11 597 534. Email: info@aipo.am. Website: aipo.am.
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