If you are asking, How do I register a trademark in Jordan, and what are the requirements, documents, and fees? the process begins with defining the mark and the goods or services for which it will be used, then checking the filing requirements with the competent authority. This article outlines the general process based on the official services and guidance reviewed, while emphasising that fees and procedural details should be confirmed when the application is filed.

Important notice: This is general educational information, not legal advice and not a guarantee that an application will be accepted or a mark will be registered. The outcome may depend on the mark, the relevant goods or services, the documents, and the specific facts. Professional review before filing is advisable.

How do I register a trademark in Jordan, and what are the requirements, documents, and fees?

Illustration of trademark filing, examination, publication, and registration stages in Jordan

1. The competent authority

Trademark applications are filed with the Industrial Property Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supplies, Trademark Registration Section. The official information states that the section reviews applications, searches for identical or similar marks and applications, and follows up on the issuance of certificates and registration.

The published guidance allows the applicant to file personally or through an agent under a legal power of attorney. It also states that the applicant or agent must attend, and refers to an intellectual property office or licensed lawyer acting as agent in the circumstances described by the service.

2. What makes a mark registrable?

The official guidance describes a trademark as a visible sign used, or intended to be used, by a person to distinguish that person’s goods, products, or services from those of others. A mark may consist of names, letters, numbers, shapes, colours, or a combination of these elements.

The central requirement is that the mark be distinctive and eligible for registration under the provisions referred to in Articles 7 and 8 of the Trademarks Law. Choosing an attractive name or design is therefore not enough. The mark should also be assessed for distinctiveness and possible similarity to other marks, while the relevant goods or services should be identified precisely.

3. Selecting the relevant class

Goods and services are divided into classes, and the Directorate states that its classification table is available for selecting the appropriate class. Class selection is important because the application’s scope is connected to the goods or services that the mark will distinguish. Preparing a clear and specific description before completing the form can help ensure that the filing reflects the intended activity.

4. Required documents

Depending on the circumstances, the officially published list includes:

  • Four copies of the relevant printed form in two languages.
  • Two copies of the trademark image.
  • The establishment’s registration showing its purposes and the persons authorised to sign on its behalf.
  • A copy of a document proving priority, if applicable.
  • The necessary powers of attorney where an agent files the application.
  • A certificate identifying the authorised signatories of the company or establishment, as referred to in the Directorate’s guidance.

The practical guidance also refers to submitting four copies of the publication notice, two copies of the mark, and a copy of the registration application. Because document requirements may depend on the applicant’s status and the procedural stage, the current service checklist should be checked before final copies are prepared.

5. Examination and registration stages

  1. Filing: The application is submitted with the required documents.
  2. Initial review: The receiving officer checks formal requirements and signatures.
  3. Recording the filing: The application receives a serial number and filing date for priority purposes.
  4. Substantive and formal examination: The Trademark Section examines the application and checks for identical or similar marks.
  5. Approval and publication: If approved, the applicant is notified and asked to pay the publication fee. The mark is then published as provisionally registered in the Official Gazette.
  6. Opposition and final registration: If no opposition is filed within three months from publication, the mark is finally registered after payment of the final registration fee.

The Directorate states that an initial response usually takes five to six months, while the government service guide gives an estimated overall period of six to twelve months. These are administrative estimates, not guaranteed statutory deadlines. Examination issues, missing documents, oppositions, or other procedural developments may affect the timeline.

6. Published fees and the need to verify them

The official information lists the following basic fees for an ordinary trademark: JD100 for filing, JD50 for publication, and JD300 for final registration, making a basic total of JD450. It also lists JD200 for filing a joint trademark, JD5 where a general power of attorney is attached, and JD2 where a special power of attorney is attached.

These figures are the published fees in the research material reviewed. However, the service guide states that the official fee schedule is available through the Ministry’s website, and one published schedule refers to Official Gazette issue No. 503 dated 16 May 2010. The fee payable at the time of filing, including any later updates or additional details, should therefore be confirmed through the current official service rather than assumed from an older schedule or summary.

7. Opposition, renewal, and the protection period

Opposition relates to the publication stage. After the mark is published as provisionally registered, the official material provides a three-month period for filing an opposition. Payment of the publication fee does not by itself complete the process; the publication period should be monitored, followed by payment of the final registration fee if no opposition is filed.

The research material used for this article does not state the duration of trademark protection or provide sufficient official detail on the timing and fees for renewal. It would therefore be unsafe to state a number without verification. Before planning around a renewal deadline or protection period, the current Trademarks Law and the Ministry’s current renewal service should be reviewed. Registration alone also does not guarantee a particular outcome where objections, oppositions, or conflicts require further professional assessment.

8. A pre-filing checklist

  • Confirm that the proposed mark is visible and distinctive.
  • Identify the relevant goods or services and the appropriate class or classes.
  • Check for possible similarity to existing marks or applications.
  • Prepare the form, copies, mark image, establishment records, and signature documents.
  • Include proof of priority or a power of attorney where applicable.
  • Verify the current forms, documents, and fees through official sources before filing.
  • Record the publication date, opposition period, and follow-up date for final registration.

Frequently asked questions

Is registration mandatory merely because I use the mark?
The official guidance reviewed does not indicate that registration is mandatory merely because a mark is used. It does, however, describe registration as the practical route for establishing the right and benefiting from the protection associated with the register.

Can I file the application myself?
Yes. The service allows personal filing, and it also allows filing through an agent under a legal power of attorney.

When does the opposition period begin?
It runs from publication of the mark as provisionally registered in the Official Gazette and lasts three months according to the official material reviewed.

Does the five-to-six-month period mean final registration will be completed then?
No. That period is described by the Directorate as an usual initial response period. The service guide gives an estimated overall period of six to twelve months, and neither estimate is a guaranteed deadline.

Does JD450 cover every situation?
It is the published basic total for an ordinary trademark: filing, publication, and final registration. The details may vary by application type, power of attorney, or later official updates, so the amount should be confirmed at filing.

Conclusion

Trademark registration in Jordan is a staged process: assess distinctiveness and select the relevant classes, prepare the documents, file the application, follow examination and publication, monitor the opposition period, and complete final registration. A professional review before filing can help organise the documents, assess similarity, respond to observations or oppositions, and verify the applicable fees and current information. Because rules, fees, and services may change, checking the official sources and the current legislation remains an essential step before proceeding.

Official sources