Trademark registration in Mongolia is governed by the Trademark and Geographical Indications Law and its regulations. Like other countries, the application process involves specific requirements. To initiate a trademark application, we require the following:

• Signed Power of Attorney
• Instruction letter specifying goods and services
• Mark prints in JPG format

The typical processing time is 6-8 months. For expedited processing, additional fees apply. As of today, the Mongolian Intellectual Property Office has received 96,097 trademark applications (2024.08.23). The following sectors represent significant trademark activity:

• Healthcare and medical services
• Research and technology
• Agriculture and agricultural products
• Business
• Clothing and fashion
• Cultural and educational services
• Transportation and vehicles
• Construction and infrastructure
• Home-based services and equipment
• Chemistry

Recent Trends Mongolian businesses and startups are increasingly prioritizing brand protection and development. They recognize the importance of intellectual property as a core business asset and are actively seeking to protect, promote, and develop their brands both domestically and internationally. This trend is reflected in the growing number of trademark filings from various countries, including:

• Mongolia
• Denmark
• China
• United States
• Switzerland
• Italy
• France
• Russia
• South Korea
• Japan

The process of registering a trademark in Mongolia involves six key stages:

1. Trademark Search Before applying, we conduct a trademark search. We also given more importance of comprehensive searches, especially for international brands entering the Mongolian market. There are two types of searches:
   • Basic Search: We check if the trademark is already registered or if there are any similar trademarks in general.
   • Comprehensive Search: We look deeper, including all trademarks that are similar, identical, or alike to find any potential conflicts with existing marks.
2. Trademark Application Once we have a signed Power of Attorney (POA) and a translated list of goods and services, the trademark applications filed through Mongolia’s e-filing system in most cases, but also could be paper-based application with the additional fee. This can be done within a day. After filing, we receive a confirmation with the filing date and number, and we’ll send you the filing receipt along with an English translation.
3. Formal Examination and Publication The Mongolian Intellectual Property (IP) Office conducts a formal examination to ensure that the application meets all legal requirements. If the signed POA hasn’t been submitted yet, you have 3 months to provide it. However, if there’s a delay in submitting the POA, the following steps in the process will also be delayed.
4. Trademark Opposition After the formal examination, the trademark application is published, entering a 3-month opposition period. During this time, third parties can oppose the trademark registration if they believe it conflicts with their existing rights.
5. Substantive Examination

The trademark examiner will conduct a substantive examination to determine if the trademark can be registered. This involves assessing the trademark for factors such as similarity and distinctiveness compared to existing registered marks. Based on this examination, the examiner will decide whether to approve or refuse the registration. Common reasons for application rejections include similarity to existing marks and a lack of distinctiveness.

• Registration If the examination is successful, the trademark will be officially registered, published, and the Mongolian IP Office will issue a registration certificate. Additionally, the trademark can be recorded with Customs to protect against the importation of counterfeit goods.

After successful registration, the trademark can be renewed every ten years. The renewal application can be filed up to one year before the expiration date. If the renewal is missed, a grace period of six months is available. During the valid period, any necessary amendments to the trademark record can be filed. This includes changes such as full or partial assignment, licensing agreements, and changes of name or address.