Country: SRI LANKA
Strategic Hub:
Sri Lanka serves as a vital maritime and logistics gateway in South Asia, positioned along the major East-West shipping lanes. It is an emerging hub for IT/BPO services and a key entry point for brands looking to expand into the Indian subcontinent.
Regulatory Body:
Intellectual Property matters are governed by the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) of Sri Lanka, which operates under the Ministry of Trade.
International Standing:
Sri Lanka is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and a signatory to the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol, allowing for streamlined international trademark protection.
Member of PCT ?
YES
Can Convention priority be claimed ?
Yes- within12 months from the date of first filing of the priority application.
Patent Search
YES
Novelty requirement
Worldwide
Deadline for filing supporting documents
Yes- 90 days
Does the invention specification have to be translated for filing
No
Required Documents
• Request for Grant of Patent (prescribed form).
• Specification, including:
• Description
• Claims
• Abstract
• Drawings, if any.
• Power of Attorney (no notarization generally required).
• Deed of Assignment, if the applicant is not the inventor.
• Priority Document, if priority is claimed (certified copy).
• PCT documents, for national phase applications.
Note: The specification, claims, abstract, and drawings must be filed on the filing date. Priority documents and assignment documents may be submitted later within the prescribed time.
Examination
• Examination is conducted only upon request. • Both formal and substantive examination are carried out. • Examiner assesses: • Novelty • Inventive step •Industrial applicability
Publication
The patent applications will be published within 18 months from the filing or priority date.
Opposition
Pre-grant opposition is permitted. Any interested person may oppose the application after publication and before grant.
Duration
Twenty (20) years starting from the filing date, (in case of PCT). The term of protection is non-extendable
Compulsory Licensing
If the patent is not exploited within 3 years from the date of grant, it will be subject to compulsory licensing.
Annuities
Annual maintenance fees are payable starting from the 2nd year. Annuities must be paid each year in advance. Late payment is allowed with surcharge within the prescribed grace period
Assignment
Trademark Search
Not Mandatory- Possible for word mark
Trademark Filing
Single/Multi-Class Jurisdiction
Single class - a separate application for each class
Can services be registered
YES
Can convention priority be claimed
YES
Is the international classification
Yes - Nice Classification, 13th addition
Documentation and information required to file
Power of Attorney.
Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.
Full name and address of the applicant.
Description of goods or services.
Specimen prints of the mark. (in JPEG format)
Opposition period after publication
3 Months
Validity
Change of name or address
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of change of name or address
A Power of Attorney in the new name or address duly.
A legalized certificate proving the change of name or address issued by the local competent authority of the applicant’s domicile.
A simple copy of the registration certificate of the mark
Treaties and conventions
WIPO Convention, Brussels Convention, Trademark Law Treaty, Berne Convention, Paris Convention, Rome Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid Protocol, Nice Agreement, Patent Law Treaty, Budapest Treaty, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), GCC Patent Law.
Member of LOCARNO CLASSIFICATION
No
Can Convention priority be claimed:
Novelty Requirement
Patent search
Deadline for filing supporting documents:
Multiple designs
Required Documents:
Publication
Opposition
Duration
Compulsory licensing.:
Annuities:
Assignment:
Merger:
Name / Address:
Our Global Reach & Jurisdictions
We provide expert legal representation across an extensive network of global partners, specializing in the complex regulatory landscapes of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Our firm ensures your intellectual property rights and commercial interests are protected with the broadest possible range of international coverage
