How to register a company logo: procedure and cost

A logo is the visual face of your brand, the sign by which customers recognise you among hundreds of others. In order for this most important asset to be reliably protected from copying and unfair use by competitors, it must be officially registered. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to register a logo in Ukraine, what procedure awaits you and what fees make up its final cost.

Section 1. The legal nature of the logo: what exactly are we registering?

Before diving into the procedural intricacies, it is very important to understand what your logo is from the point of view of the law. It is not just a pretty picture, but a full-fledged object of intellectual property. A correct understanding of its legal nature is the key to its reliable protection. Let’s analyse what exactly we are filing for registration and what are the requirements for this object.

1.1 Logo as an intellectual property object: a pictorial or combined trade mark (TM)

In the legislation of Ukraine you will not find such a separate concept as “logo registration”. Your logo is protected through the mechanism of trade mark (TM) registration. It is essentially a type of TM that is designed to identify your goods or services in the marketplace. Depending on its appearance, a logo can be registered as one of two main types of trade marks:

• Pictorial TM. This is when your logo is purely a graphic element, without any words or letters. Classic examples are Apple’s overbitten apple, Adidas’ three stripes or Nike’s “swoosh”. You register exactly the unique image that is associated with your brand. This option is ideal if your graphics are so strong and recognisable that they work on their own.
• Combination TM. This is the most common option for most companies. It involves registering a combination of a graphic element and a verbal part (brand name). For example, the Google logo, where the name itself is written in a corporate font and colours, or the Burger King logo, where the name is inscribed in a stylised image of a burger. By registering a combined TM, you protect the whole composition – the image, the word, and the way they are arranged in relation to each other.

The choice between these two types depends on your strategy. If it is the unique image that is most valuable, it makes sense to register it as a pictorial TM. If the name and logo are inseparably linked, it is better to choose a combined option. In general, the basics of trade mark registration are common for all types of designations, and you can read more about them in our main material on this topic: “How to register a trade mark in Ukraine in 2025“.

1.2 Why the term “patent a logo” is colloquial, while the legally correct term is “register as a TM”

Very often in business circles you can hear the phrase “I need to patent a logo“. This is an understandable colloquial expression which conveys the essence of the desire to obtain exclusive rights to one’s trademark. However, from a legal point of view, it is incorrect. As we have already mentioned in previous articles, patenting concerns quite different objects.

Patents protect inventions:

• Inventions and utility models ( technical solutions, devices, methods).
• Industrial designs ( the appearance of a product, its design).

A logo is neither an invention nor an industrial design. It is a designation whose purpose is to individualise a market participant. Therefore, the only correct legal way to protect it is to register it as a trade mark. Understanding this difference is important because it determines which procedure you will follow, which documents to prepare and which office to contact. So, when you or your colleague say “patent a logo”, always remember that in legal language it means “register a logo as a figurative or combination trade mark”.

1.3. Logo requirements for successful registration: uniqueness and distinctiveness

Not every image you draw can become a registered TM. To get the green light from the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (UNIPI), your logo must meet two key criteria:

1. Uniqueness. Your logo must not be identical or confusingly similar to trademarks already registered or filed for registration before you for similar goods or services. The similarity is determined visually, phonetically (if there is text) and semantically (in terms of meaning). For example, if someone has already registered a logo in the form of a flame for heating services, your logo in the form of three flames for the same services will most likely be refused. That is why preliminary verification is a must.
2. Distinctiveness.This is the ability of your logo to distinguish your products and services from others. A logo cannot be registered if it:
   • Is simply a realistic representation of a product (for example, a picture of a loaf of bread for a bakery).
   • Is a commonly used symbol or term (e.g., an image of the “@” sign for Internet services).
   • Indicates the type, quality, quantity, properties, place of origin of a product (e.g., an image of a map of Ukraine with the inscription “Ukrainian product”).
   • May be misleading to the consumer.

Original, imaginative, stylised and abstract logos that have no direct connection to a product or service but create a strong association with the brand have the best chance of being registered.

Section 2: Step-by-step instructions for registering a logo

The procedure of registering a logo as a trade mark is not just a simple application, but a whole legal marathon consisting of several important steps. At first glance, it may seem complicated, but if you break it down into steps, everything becomes much clearer. In fact, this path is identical to the one you go through when registering a word mark. Let’s go through it together so that you have a good idea of what awaits you.

2.1 Step 1: Mandatory Preliminary Check for Similarity to Other Registered Marks

This is, without exaggeration, the most important preparatory step, and ignoring it is the most common mistake made by entrepreneurs. Imagine building a house without checking the foundation – the risk of collapse is huge. It is the same with a logo: before investing time and money in the registration procedure, you should conduct a thorough “reconnaissance”. The purpose of the preliminary check is to find out whether your logo is identical or confusingly similar to thousands of other marks already registered or applied for registration in Ukraine. If it turns out that a similar mark already exists for similar goods or services, you are guaranteed to get a refusal from the office, losing all the fees paid.

For example, you have created for your chain of pizzerias a brightly coloured logo depicting a cheerful chef in a hat holding a pizza. It looks unique. But a professional check may find that another food delivery company has already registered a combined TM with a very similar character in style and pose. Even if the names are different, the visual similarity of a key element may be a reason for rejection.

Self-searching in UKRNOIVI’ s open online databases is only a first, superficial glance. It is useful to screen out obvious matches, but does not provide a complete picture, as it does not include the most recent applications under formal examination. A full-fledged, in-depth search by patent attorneys covers all databases, including closed ones. This is a paid service, but its cost is incomparably less than the potential losses from refusal of registration and the need for a complete rebranding.

2.2 Step 2: Identify the classes of goods and services (ICTU) for which the logo will be protected

Your logo certificate is not a universal “shield” protecting it from all uses. Legal protection is only valid within the spheres of activity that you choose and declare.The International Classification of Goods and Services (ICGS) is used worldwide to unify these areas . It is a list of 45 classes:

• Classes 1 to 34 cover all possible goods, from chemicals to musical instruments.
• Classes 35 to 45 cover services, from advertising to legal advice.

Your task is to be strategic in your choice of classes. You need to think not only about what you are doing now, but also what you plan to do in the next 3-5 years. For example, you are a craft beer producer. Your main product is beer, which is Class 32. But you may also be planning to sell branded glasses (Class 21), logo T-shirts (Class 25) and open a chain of branded pubs(Class 43). Each of these businesses requires a separate class. If you only register a logo for Class 32, no-one will stop a competitor from opening a pub with your logo, and legally they will be right.

Choosing the right classes is a balance between strong protection and cost. Each additional class increases the amount of government fees. It is therefore important to consult a specialist to choose the best set of classes to ensure that your business model is fully covered without incurring unnecessary costs.

2.3 Step 3: Prepare and submit an application to UKRNOIVI

When you are sure of the uniqueness of the logo and have decided on the classes, it’s time for the official part – forming and submitting the application. To register the logo of the enterprise, you need to collect a package of documents, where every detail matters. An incorrectly filled in box or the absence of some paperwork can lead to delays or even rejection at the formal stage.

The standard package of documents includes:

• Application for registration of TM of the established sample. It contains full details of the applicant (full name, address, TIN for an individual; full name, USREOU code, legal address for a company), as well as the address for correspondence.
• Logo image. You must submit a high-quality image in the format required by the Office (usually .jpeg or .tiff). A very important point: if you submit a colour logo, the protection will apply to that colour combination. If you submit a black and white logo, the protection will apply to any colour combination. Black and white registration is considered to be more “strong” and universal.
• List of goods and services. This is not just class numbers, but a detailed list of the specific items within each class for which you are requesting protection.
• A power of attorney if you are acting through a representative (patent attorney).
• A document of payment of the application fee. The amount of the fee depends on the number of classes and type of applicant.

There are three ways tosubmit these documents to UKRNOIVI: in person, by post or through the convenient electronic filing system, which is a priority.

2.4 Step 4: Passing the examination: formal and qualification examination

Once your application has received an incoming number, the longest stage begins, where you are only required to be patient and respond to queries in a timely manner. The examination in UKRNOIVI takes place in two stages:

• Formal examination (lasts from 2 to 6 months): At this stage, agency staff only check that the submitted documents are complete and correct. Have all the fields been filled in? Has the fee been paid? Does the list of goods correspond to the classifier? If everything is in order, you will receive a favourable decision of the formal examination and a notice setting the filing date. This date fixes your priority: anyone filing a similar mark later will have fewer rights.
• Qualification examination (examination in fact): This is the main part of the “Marleson ballet”, which according to standard procedure lasts on average from 12 to 18 months. The appointed expert carries out an in-depth analysis of your logo. They check that it meets all legal requirements: they conduct their own similarity searches, analyse distinctiveness and check that the logo is not misleading. If the expert has doubts, he does not refuse immediately, but sends the applicant a preliminary refusal, where he sets out his arguments. You have time (usually 2 months) to prepare a reasoned response and try to convince the examiner that you are right.

2.5 Step 5: Pay the fee for publication and issuance of the certificate, receive the protection document

And then, one day, after a long wait, you receive a letter with a positive decision to register your logo. This means that all the checks have been passed successfully. But that’s not the end of it. To turn this decision into a full-fledged protection document, you need to make two final payments within three months from the date of receipt of the decision:

1. Pay the state fee for issuing a certificate of mark for goods and services.
2. Pay the fee for official publication of information about the registration of your logo.

Only after UKRNOIVI receives confirmation of these payments, your logo will be entered in the State Register of Certificates of Ukraine for marks for goods and services. Information about this will be published in the official bulletin and you will be issued a beautiful laminated Certificate. It is from the date of publication that your logo is considered fully protected. The certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed indefinitely.

Section 3: How much it costs to register a logo: an overview of costs

The question of cost is one of the key issues for any entrepreneur. Registering a logo is an investment, and it is important to understand what parts it consists of. The final amount is not fixed and can vary significantly depending on a number of factors: the number of lines of business chosen, the colour of the logo and whether you will handle the process yourself or entrust it to specialists. Let’s look at each component in detail.

3.1 Cost components: what makes up the final price

The total cost of registering a logo can be divided into two broad categories:

1. Mandatory state fees. These are fees and charges that you pay directly to the state budget for actions performed by the agency (UKRNOIVI). Without their payment, the procedure will simply not move forward. The amount of these fees is clearly regulated by law.
2. Cost of support services. This is the fee you pay to a law firm or patent attorney for assistance in registration. This part is not mandatory (in theory, you can go all the way on your own), but in practice it significantly increases the chances of success and saves you time and nerves.

These two components together and form the final answer to the question of how much it costs to patent a logo ( or rather – to register it as a TM). Below we will consider each of them in more detail.

3.2 State fees: dependence on the number of ICTU classes, colour and type of applicant

The amount of official government fees is flexible and depends on several key parameters of your application. Here are the main factors affecting the amount:

• Number of MKTU classes. This is the main pricing factor. There is a basic application fee that covers one class. There is an additional fee for each subsequent class you want to add. The broader the protection you need, the more it will cost. For example, if you register a logo only for the manufacture of clothing (Class 1), the fee will be one. However, if you add sales (Class 35) and advertising (also Class 35, but other services), the fee will increase.
• Colour of the logo. If you submit a colour image for registration, a special colour surcharge is added to the application fee. Registering a black and white logo is cheaper and, as we mentioned above, often more strategically feasible as it protects the mark in any colour.
• Type of applicant. If there is more than one applicant (e.g. two founding partners), the fee is increased by 30 per cent.
• Presence of a verbal element. If you are registering a combined TM (logo + name), this does not affect the amount of the filing fee, but it is an important factor in the verification.

In addition to the filing fee, at the end of the procedure, as we already know, you have to pay the state fee for issuing the certificate (its amount is fixed for individuals and legal entities) and the publication fee, which also depends on the number of classes in your application.

3.3 Accelerated registration status: why this option is not available now (in 2025) and what the standard timeframes are

Earlier in Ukraine there was an official option of accelerated examination, which allowed to obtain a certificate not in 1.5-2 years, but much faster, in 7-9 months. This was a popular service, although much more expensive than the standard procedure. However, it is important to know that with the onset of the full-scale invasion and the subsequent reorganisation of the office (transformation of Ukrpatent into UKRNOIVI) this service was suspended.

At the current moment (and, according to forecasts, throughout 2025) there is no possibility to officially accelerate the registration of a trade mark, including the logo. All applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Thus, the only timeframe to be guided by is the standard one, which averages 18-20 months from the time of application to the time of issuance of the certificate. Any offers to “speed up” the process for an additional fee, bypassing the official procedure, are dubious and may be a sign of unscrupulous intermediaries.

3.4 Additional costs: the cost of patent attorneys and law firms

This is the second major cost. When you decide to turn to professionals, you are paying for their experience, expertise and time. Typically, the cost of support services includes:

• Consultations. Assistance in determining the registration strategy, correct choice of ICTU classes and type of TM (pictorial or combined).
• Preliminary verification (search). Conducting an in-depth similarity search and providing a report assessing the chances of registration.
• Preparation and submission of the application for registration. Correct completion of all necessary documents, formation of the package and its submission to UKRNOIVI.
• Case management of the application. Maintaining all correspondence with the Office, controlling deadlines, responding to possible enquiries from the examination.
• Obtaining the certificate. Control of final payments and handing over the finished security document to you.

The cost of such services may vary from company to company, but, as a rule, it is a fixed amount for the entire turnkey work package. This investment justifies itself, as it minimises the risks of rejection, saves your personal time and ensures that all legal formalities are complied with correctly.

Conclusions

To summarise, it is safe to say that logo registration is not just a bureaucratic formality, but one of the cornerstones in building a strong and protected brand. It is the surest way to secure the visual identity of your business from copying, plagiarism and unfair actions of competitors. The entire process, from pre-verification to obtaining a certificate, requires attention to detail, patience and some financial investment. However, this effort is a worthwhile investment in the security and capitalisation of your company.

A registered logo transforms from a simple picture into a valuable intangible asset that can be sold, inherited or used for franchising. And for businesses looking to the future, it is important to remember: if you plan to go abroad, it is worth thinking about international protection. You can find out more about this in our article “International trade mark registration: procedure and advantages”. Don’t put off protecting your brand, as this is the key to its long-term success.