Ecuador Trademark registration
Ecuador is a member of the Andean Pact. Andean Pact Decision no. 486 contains common rules on Trademark Law in all member states of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru). Trademark protection is obtained by registration.
Requirements
A trademark application has to be filed before the “Instituto Ecuatoriano de Propiedad Industrial (I.E.P.I.)” by a local agent. A power of attorney attested by a notary is necessary. Foreign applicants do not need a domestic registration.
Procedure
The application process includes a formal examination, publication in the monthly Industrial Property Gazette, and an examination of distinctiveness among prior trademarks.. It takes approximately 6 months from first filing to registration. The opposition period is 30 working days from publication date of the application.
Duration
A trademark registration in Ecuador is valid for 10 years and starts with registration date.
Methods
NATIONAL REGISTRATION: If you just want to register your Trademark in one country, it is sufficient to apply for a national registration at the local trademark office.
Extra
Duly note, if the trademark has not been used for a continuous period of 3 years in at least one member state of the Andean Pact, it will be vulnerable to cancellation.