A trademark is considered duly registered and legally protected once the final registration fee has been paid, regardless of the subsequent administrative issuance of the registration certificate.
The certificate
- The Registrar is currently experiencing delays in issuing registration certificates (September 2026). Issuing the certificate is an administrative process that depends entirely on the Registrar.
- An official letter issued by the Iraqi Trademark Registrar, confirming that the trademark is registered and protected in Iraq for a period of ten years, can be obtained (a Trademark Status Certificate).
Use of the mark
- The non-use period stipulated by law is three years from the date of registration of the trademark, and the non-use is not required to be within Iraq only.
Enforcement in court
- To rely on a trademark before the court, the trademark must still be valid and in force, so renewal is essential: during the initial hearings the court contacts the Trademark Registrar to verify its ownership and current status. To start proceedings, the trademarks must be registered in Iraq in the name of the plaintiff; trademark licences or similar arrangements are not recognised for this purpose.
Recording changes
- There is no single application through which both the name and the address of the trademark owner can be changed simultaneously: a separate application must be filed for the change of name and another for the change of address.
Frequently asked questions
When is a trademark registered in Iraq?
A trademark is considered duly registered and legally protected once the final registration fee has been paid, regardless of the subsequent administrative issuance of the registration certificate.
Can I get proof of registration before the certificate arrives?
An official letter issued by the Iraqi Trademark Registrar, confirming that the trademark is registered and protected in Iraq for a period of ten years, can be obtained (a Trademark Status Certificate).