The Myanmar Trademark Law was enacted in January 2019. Prior to this, Myanmar had no formal trademark or intellectual property law, and trademark registration followed the Registration Act. The newly enacted Trademark Law came into effect on April 1, 2023. On May 1, 2024, the Myanmar Intellectual Property Office (MIPO) issued its first trademark gazette under the new law, containing 220 trademarks. The opposition process is a critical component of trademark authorization and validation.

Trademark Examination Process

Trademark applications in Myanmar undergo formal examination and substantive examination.

Absolute Grounds for Refusal

A trademark shall be refused registration if it exhibits any of the following characteristics:

• Lacks distinctiveness;
• Consists exclusively of signs or indications designating the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, production time, or other characteristics of goods/services;

Exceptions: Registration may still be allowed if:

• The mark has acquired distinctiveness through use before the filing date.
• The applicant has continuously and exclusively used the mark in Myanmar’s commercial territory in good faith.
•  Violates public order, morality, religious beliefs, national reputation, or ethnic traditions;
• Represents a common expression or traditional symbol widely used in commerce;
• Misleads the public or commercial sector regarding the nature, quality, or origin of goods/services;
• Copies or imitates national flags, emblems, official signs, or symbols of states or international organizations without authorization;
• Uses marks protected under international agreements to which Myanmar is a party.

Relative Grounds for Refusal

A trademark shall also be refused if:

• It is identical or similar to a prior registered mark for identical/similar goods/services, likely causing confusion;
• It harms the reputation or personal rights of another individual/organization without consent;
• It infringes on another party’s intellectual property rights;
• The application was filed in bad faith;
• It is identical/similar to a well-known mark for identical/similar goods/services, likely causing confusion;
• It is identical/similar to a well-known mark but used for unrelated goods/services, potentially damaging the well-known mark’s reputation.

Trademark Application Requirements

To enjoy trademark rights under the law, applicants must file an application with the Registrar.

Language Requirements

• Applications may be filed in Myanmar or English.
• If requested, the applicant must provide a translation (Myanmar to English or vice versa).
• A declaration of accuracy for the translation must be signed.

Required Documents

The application must include:

• Trademark registration request;
• Applicant’s name and address (individual or legal entity);
• Agent/representative details (if applicable, including ID number);
• Clear representation of the trademark;
• List of goods/services and corresponding Nice Classification class(es).

Additional Documents (if applicable)

• Business registration details (for legal entities);
• Priority claim documents (if claiming Paris Convention priority);
• Trade fair priority evidence (if applicable);
• Proof of prior registration (if previously registered under the old system);
• Other requirements as specified by authorities.

Publication & Opposition

If no refusal grounds are found, MIPO publishes the mark in the Official Gazette. Any third party may file an opposition within 60 days from the publication date.