Romania
Romania is a member of the Paris Convention, the European Patent Convention (EPC), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Madrid Agreement and Protocol for trademarks, and the Hague Agreement for industrial designs. Romania has also ratified the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA). Trademarks are protected for 10 years (renewable), patents for 20 years, and industrial designs for up to 25 years. The .ro 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 Romania.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 238,397 sq. km.
Population: 18,847,234 (2025).
Capital: Bucharest.
Language: Romanian.
Currency: Leu.
GENERAL REMARKS
Romania is a member of the European Union since January 1, 2007 and NATO since March 29, 2004.
PATENTS OF INVENTION
LEGAL BASIS
- Law No. 64/1991 on Patents of Invention, in force since October 21, 1991, last amended on March 7, 2024 and republished on June 27, 2024.
- Implementing Regulations to the Patent Law No. 64/1991 as republished in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, No. 456/18.vi.2008.
- Law No. 611 of November 13, 2002 concerning Romania’s adhesion to the European Patent Convention.
- EEC Regulations No. 469/2009, 1901/2006 and EC Regulations No. 1610/1996.
- Law on Employees’ Inventions No. 83/2014, in force since June 29, 2014.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), since July 23, 1979.
- European Patent Convention, since March 1, 2003.
- Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA), ratified on September 1, 2024.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (bilingual, simply signed);
- Description, claims, drawings, abstract (may be filed in an international language, Romanian translation to be filed within two months from the filing date);
- Assignment from the inventor(s) to the applicant if the applicant is not the same as the inventor(s), to be filed until a decision is taken (original or notarized bilingual document);
- If priority is claimed, original or certified copy of the priority document(s) must be filed within sixteen months from the earliest priority date (but not for entering the Romanian phase of a PCT application).
REMARKS
National Phase of PCT: under Chapter I: 30 months; under Chapter II: 30 months.
Validity: issued after a formal preliminary and full examination – valid for 20 years from the filing date.
Annuities: accumulated and due with the granting decision; subsequent annuities are payable after the anniversary of the filing date.
Opposition: is entitled by a written and well-grounded request to ask for a partial or total cancellation of the granting decision within six months from the publication thereof.
TRADE AND SERVICE MARKS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law No. 84/1998 on Trademarks and Geographical Indications, in force since July 23, 1998, last amended on March 7, 2024.
- Decision for amending and completing the Government Decision No. 1134/10.11.2010 approving the Implementing Regulations to the Law 84/1998 on Trademarks and Geographical Indications, published in the Official Gazette No. 976/07.10.2022.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act.
- Madrid Agreement, Stockholm Act.
- Madrid Protocol, since July 28, 1998.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- An order letter mentioning the name and address of the applicant, the denomination of the mark(s), the type of mark(s), the residence of the applicant;
- Power of Attorney (not notarized);
- List of goods or services according to the International Classification;
- A print of the trademark (max. size 8 x 8 cm);
- Priority certificate, if any.
REMARKS
Kinds of protection: trade and service marks words, drawings, composition of colors, plastic forms, phonetic signals, or composition of these elements.
Classification: International.
Obligation to use the registered mark: compulsory. Non-use during any five-year period after the registration may lead to cancellation.
Duration – renewals: 10 years from the filing date, renewable for further periods of 10 years.
Opposition: possible within two months from the publication of the application.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law No. 129/1992 for the Protection of Industrial Designs, last amended on March 7, 2024 and republished on June 27, 2024.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act.
- Hague Agreement, Stockholm Act, and Geneva Act, since December 23, 2003.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- An application comprising the personal particulars of the applicant and of the author and the indication of the article or articles in which the industrial design is intended to be incorporated;
- A short description of the drawings (max 100 words);
- 10 graphic representations (one on tracing cloth and 9 copies) size 6 x 6 cm or a multiple of this size, max 18 x 24 cm;
- If priority is claimed, the legal document and the necessary fee;
- Power of Attorney (not notarized);
- Assignment, in the case that the applicant in Romania is not the same as the author (notarized).
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: after formal and substantive examination: 10 years. Extension: three additional 5-year periods.
Opposition: within two months from its publication anyone may contest the registration of an industrial design at the State Office.
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: .ro
- Applicant: individuals and legal entities.
- Local presence: not required.
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: one to ten years, renewable.
Uniform dispute resolution procedure: available (ICANN UDRP model) before WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.
Frequently Asked Questions — IP Protection in Romania
What documents are required to register a trademark in Romania?
To register a trademark in Romania, you need: an order letter with the applicant’s name, address, and mark details, a Power of Attorney (not notarized), a list of goods or services according to the International Classification, a print of the trademark (max. 8 x 8 cm), and a priority certificate if applicable. Romania is a member of the Paris Convention, the Madrid Agreement, and the Madrid Protocol (since 1998), so international registration via WIPO is also possible.
What kinds of trademarks may be registered in Romania?
In Romania, the following types of marks are registrable: words, drawings, compositions of colors, plastic forms, phonetic signals, or any combination of these elements. Both trade marks and service marks are registrable.
How long is the trademark opposition period in Romania?
In Romania, any person may file an opposition within 2 months from the date of publication of the trademark application.
How long does trademark protection last in Romania?
Trademark protection in Romania lasts for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods indefinitely.
Must a trademark be used in Romania?
Yes, use is compulsory. Non-use during any five-year period after the registration may lead to cancellation upon request by any interested party.
What are the routes for filing a patent in Romania?
Romania is a member of the Paris Convention, the European Patent Convention (EPC, since 2003), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT, since 1979), and has ratified the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA, since September 2024). Filing requirements include: a Power of Attorney (bilingual, simply signed), a description with claims, drawings, and abstract (may be filed in an international language with Romanian translation within 2 months), an assignment from inventor(s) if the applicant differs, and a priority document within 16 months. For PCT national phase entry, the deadline is 30 months under both Chapter I and Chapter II. Patents are valid for 20 years from the filing date.
How long is the patent opposition period in Romania?
In Romania, any interested party may file a written and well-grounded request for partial or total cancellation of a patent within 6 months from the publication of the granting decision.
When are patent annuities due in Romania?
In Romania, accumulated annuities are due with the granting decision. Subsequent annuities are payable after the anniversary of the filing date. Timely payment is essential to maintain the patent in force throughout its 20-year validity period. For current deadlines and practitioner guidance, consult Katzarov's Manual on Industrial Property.
How do I register an industrial design in Romania?
Industrial designs in Romania are protected under Law No. 129/1992 (last amended March 7, 2024). Filing requires: an application with personal particulars, a short description (max. 100 words), 10 graphic representations (6 x 6 cm or multiples, max. 18 x 24 cm), a Power of Attorney (not notarized), and an assignment if the applicant is not the author (notarized). Romania is a member of the Hague Agreement (Geneva Act, since 2003), allowing international registration. Protection lasts 10 years from the filing date, renewable for three additional 5-year periods (maximum 25 years). Opposition is possible within 2 months from publication.
How do I register a .ro domain name?
The .ro domain is Romania's country code top-level domain (ccTLD). Both individuals and legal entities can register, and no local presence in Romania is required. Registration periods range from 1 to 10 years, renewable. The ICANN UDRP model is available before the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.
Does the power of attorney need notarization or legalization in Romania?
For trademark filings in Romania, the Power of Attorney does not require notarization. For patent filings, a simply signed bilingual Power of Attorney is sufficient. However, an assignment from the inventor(s) to the applicant, if they differ, must be an original or notarized bilingual document.
Where can I search the Romanian trademark database?
Romania's trademark register is maintained by the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM). Effective searching requires knowledge of the Nice Classification and interpretation of legal status codes. For comprehensive trademark searches and clearance opinions, contact Katzarov's team.
Where can I search for patents in Romania?
Patent records in Romania are maintained by the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM). For professional patent searches, contact Katzarov's team.
What is the contact information for OSIM (Romania's IP Office)?
The State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) is located at 5 Ion Ghica Street, Sector 3, 030044 Bucharest, Romania. Phone: (+40) 21 306 08 00. Fax: (+40) 21 312 38 19. Email: office@osim.ro.
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