This article summarizes the trademark registration process before the INPI (Argentina’s National Institute of Industrial Property) for those who want to file online on their own. If you need the details of each stage — search, Nice classes, opposition, and renewal — see our complete guide linked below. If you would rather have an industrial property agent handle everything, learn about our trademark registration service.
Complete guide: For the in-depth version with every detail, read the Complete guide to trademark registration in Argentina.
1. Trademark search
Before investing in a brand identity, it is wise to check whether there are identical or similar trademarks in the classes you are interested in. The INPI’s public search tool is a first step; a professional report includes phonetic variants, translations, and pending applications that the search tool does not always show clearly.
2. Defining classes and goods/services
You choose the Nice classes and draft the specific list of what you sell. A mistake here limits your protection: you may obtain the registration and then discover that it doesn’t cover what you actually sell.
3. Filing the application
The application is filed online on the INPI portal. It includes the owner’s details, the representation of the sign, the classes, and the fees. Since 2024, the system has required a digital signature or valid credentials to operate as a registered user.
4. Substantive examination
The INPI examines formal and substantive requirements: distinctiveness, absolute prohibitions (for example, descriptive or misleading signs), and conflicts with earlier trademarks. If there are office actions, there is a deadline to respond; without a response, the application may be abandoned.
5. Publication for opposition
If it passes examination, the application is published in the Trademark Gazette. Third parties have a set period to oppose it. If no one opposes it — or if the opposition is resolved in your favor — you move on to the grant.
6. Grant and renewal
Once the trademark is granted, you receive the registration certificate. The registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. Missing the renewal deadline means losing the registration: someone else can register your sign.
Should you do it yourself?
You can file without an attorney or agent, but applications filed with professional assistance tend to receive fewer office actions and have better-drafted class specifications. We work with clear fees from the search through to the grant. Learn about our registration service →
