How to register a brandname in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, you can complete brand name registration without a lawyer in the following ways. 

• In person at the office in the capital (address at the bottom of the page) OR via email
• Payment: 
• Banco de Costa Rica (even when proceeding by email), any bank teller (NOT the 'plataforma' - or -
• Online IF you have an account with Banco de Costa Rica

Before proceeding, here are some preliminary steps to take, even if you are getting the help of a lawyer. The current costs are included in the footnotes of the application form. Up until the end of 2022, the cost was roughly:

• USD 50 per trademark (brand name) per Nice classification number (based on the current exchange rate as advertised by the Banco de Costa Rica)
• ¢20 for National archive stamp duties (timbres de Archivo Nacional)

STEP 1: Research Names LOCALLY (at the local registry).

While you may proceed with this step as follows, you may also ask an attendant at the Registro Nacional for help in doublechecking the availability of the trademark. Some persons may do a preliminary search to save you the trouble of having your application rejected. However, regardless of where you are in the world, it is often said that the results of preliminary research can never guarantee the success of your application.

• In Person ('presencialmente' in Spanish) & via Telephone.
• Go into any of their offices (usually housed in the same buildings as the Banco do Costa Rica / BCR) in person in order to have more access to their database than is possible online. Otherwise or at least during the Covid-19 pandemic, you may request that a phone attendant check certain brand nanes and business names. Part of the reason that you must check the local Registro Nacional database is that, some names may not appear otherwise because they are in some type of process to become used or available again to the public. I found the office stressed that applicants should do the preliminary search themselves. For instance, they speak of offering applicants the tools and help to perform the searches themselves. This may be an attempt to distance themselves from potential conflict as there might be some gray areas regarding interpretation of whether a name is similar or the same to other names.
• Online. [This might no longer be available outside of pandemic-type of circumstances.] Create an account with the Registro Nacional and or login. (If creating an account for the first time, select 'Registrarse por Primera Vez' / which means 'First time registration'. (top left corner of the screen) to complete the registration form.) Once registered, return to the page and follow these steps. (This applies only for brandnames. For business names; It is uncertain whether the search can be completed online).
• 'Inicio'
• Enter your login account details and click 'Ingresar'
• 'Sistema de Certificaciones & Consultas Gratuitas' (Menu on top left corner of the screen)
• 'Consultas Gratuitas' (Menu on left side of the screen)
• (Bottom of page in the 'Propiedad Industrial' section), select 'Consulta de Marca'
• In the 'Tipo de Consulta' menu, select 'por nombre del titular'. 
• Enter the name you are researching.
• BEWARE. Doing this search alone at home is not very reliable because some brandnames may exist but not appear for one reason or other. If possible, it is better to go to the office in person for better access to their database.

STEP 2: Research Names INTERNATIONALLY.

• Database: https://euipo.europa.eu/ec2/
• Database: https://www3.wipo.int/branddb/en/

STEP 2b: Request guidance if you are uncertain whether another registration may be too close to yours. 

You can call and ask to send an email in Spanish as follows. 

Queridos Señores,

Por favor avísenme con respecto a la siguiente pregunta.

Mis productos son '[YOUR BROAD PRODUCT TYPE IN SPANISH' (CN #__).

Una búsqueda en el sitio web de la OMPI (https://www3.wipo.int/branddb/es/) arrojó los siguientes resultados. ¿Es aconsejable  continuar con la inscripción de estos nombres sin problemas previsibles de confusión, especialmente porque quiero dejar la opción abierta para exportar en el futuro?

'[YOUR PROPOSED BRAND NAME]' (el nombre que quiero inscribir):
Marcas más cercanas encontradas internacionalmente:

 

Los EEUU (2 casos):

1. '[NAME OF A BRAND LIKE YOURS' - CN #___]. 

• Estado: Muerto/Abandonado, Abandonado porque el solicitante no respondió o presentó una respuesta tardía a una acción de la Oficina.

• Fecha de terminación del registro de la marca: (Abandonado) 01.02.2010 

• Indicación relativa a la naturaleza o clase de la marca: Marca de Servicio Marca

• '[OTHER BRAND NAME LIKE YOURS' - CN #___].

 

STEP 3: Request the steps of the current registration process.

• Call or visit to ask the Intellectual Property branch of the Registro Nacional for their current steps by email for protecting a new brandname or commercial name.
• Direct line for the department: 2202-0623 / 2202-0746 from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm. (Although not advisable to call them first, this other department can help if you are unable to get through: 2202-0888). 
• Operator: 2202-0800. If you have trouble getting through to these numbers, ask the operator to transfer your call. 
• For questions about the process.
• If you have questions about the process, email registration coordinators via coordinadormarcas@rnp.go.cr or consultasrpi@rnp.go.cr
• For questions about compliance or other more technical questions 
• If you have technical questions (such as compliance), email them via recepcionrpi01@rnp.go.cr
• Forms.
• downloadable application forms. (See sample of a completed form below)
• Go to Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) to make payments for the relevant stamps. Carry 
• the updated 'personería jurídica'. This can be updated online with a 15-day validity period.
• Completed downloadable application form. (See sample of a completed form below)
• Await the approval notice over a period of roughly 10 working days.
• When you receive the approval, you need to post 3 edicts (ie official proclamations) in the government gazette (La Gaceta, ie the publication that makes public or legal notices).

STEP 4: Complete the application form RPI-01 for a brand name registration applications (ie "solicitud de marca"). BTW, this form only allows for the registration of brand names and not other brand elements, like marketing codes. For instance, if you have special codes like letters or numbers to help consumers self segment themselves, the Ministry of Health will need to give you a certificate for that.

Just to reiterate, registering the brand name is possible online (unlike the case of registering a business name, which must be done in person).

• Download the editable MS Word version of the RPI-01 form '(solicitud de marca)'
• See how to complete the fields below.

FORM: RPI-01 (FOR BRANDS. It is similar but NOT the same as for commercial names rpi-03). NB. THE FORM HAS BEEN UPDATED. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT FEATURE MANY / NOTEWORTHY DIFFERENCES. SINCE THE NEW FORMAT NO LONGER PROVIDES EXPLANATIONS, I HAVE LEFT THEM BELOW. ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUCKTHROUGH NO LONGER APPEAR IN THE NEW FORM.

1. SUSCRITO (Debe indicar nombre completo del solicitante, calidades, número de cédula u otra identificación, domicilio exacto. Si la solicitud se presenta a título personal pasar al punto 8.):	·         JANE DOE ·         PASAPORTE: 123456 ·         COSTADO NORTE DEL PARQUE DE ABC, PORTON COLOR AZUL, A LA PAR DE LA SODA TUBBIES, [DISTRICT], [CANTON], [PROVINCE], COSTA RICA, [ZIPCODE]
2. EN CONCEPTO DE APODERADO: Debe indicar si es: apoderado general, apoderado generalísimo, apoderado especial o si se apersona como gestor de negocios (debe aportar pagaré según artículo 286 Código Procesal Civil):	GESTOR DE NEGOCIOS [ADD THE CURRENT “PERSONERIA JURIDICA” CERTIFICATE]
3. Debe marcar si adjunta la certificación de personería o el poder especial 3. You must check if you attach the certification of legal status or the special power of attorney.	X
4. Debe indicar en qué expediente aportó la certificación de personería o el poder especial (número de expediente, número de registro o indicar la marca junto con la clase). 4. You must indicate in which file you provided the certification of legal status or the special power of attorney (file number, registration number or indicate the trademark along with the class).	[LEAVE BLANK]
5. De la sociedad denominada (Indicar el nombre completo de la sociedad solicitante y el número de cédula jurídica si la solicitud es nacional.	A CORPORATION’S NAME; 1-234-56789
6. Organizada y existente bajo las leyes de (Debe indicar el país en el que fue constituida la sociedad).	COSTA RICA
7.  Domiciliada en (Debe indicar el DOMICILIO SOCIAL EXACTO de la sociedad solicitante):	[BUSINESS ADDRESS]
8. Hace constar que el solicitante es titular de un establecimiento ubicado en: (Debe indicar el DOMICILIO (S) EXACTO (S) en Costa Rica del establecimiento(s) comercial, fabril o de servicios.)	A LADO SUDESTE DE LA ENTRADA DE LA PLAYA XYZ, PORTON COLOR AZUL, [DISTRICT], [CANTON], [PROVINCE], COSTA RICA, [ZIPCODE]
9. Solicito la inscripción del Nombre Comercial (nombre con logotipo o sin éste) (Debe indicar en el recuadro inferior el nombre comercial a proteger. Si éste es con diseño debe adherir uno en el espacio correspondiente del recuadro)	A PROPOSED BUSINESS NAME   [IF YOU ALSO HAVE ART, ALSO STICK IT HERE WITHIN THE BOX. OTHERWISE, ONLY WRITE THE NAME.]
10. Traducción de la parte denominativa (Aportar traducción del signo cuando esté constituida por algún elemento denominativo con significado en un idioma distinto del castellano.)	[IF THE NAME IS CLEARLY NON-SPANISH, TRANSLATE THE NAME]
11. Reservas (Indicar si hace reserva o no de los colores contemplados en el diseño solicitado. Señalar si no se hace reserva sobre algún término que contenga el nombre comercial o el diseño que sea genérico o de uso común.)	ESPECIFICACIONES DE RESERVAS DEL LOGOTIPO LA FUENTE: ‘ARIAL ROUNDED’ COLOR (‘[NAME PART 1]’): AZUL, #123456 (HEX) * COLOR (‘[NAME PART 2]’): NARANJA * BEWARE: IF YOU RESERVE COLORS, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEGALLY USE ANY OTHER COLOR FOR YOUR BRAND. FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU ONLY REGISTERED THE COLORS BLUE AND ORANGE, YOU CAN NOT USE BLACK AND WHITE FOR BLACK FRIDAY ADVERTISEMENTS. FOR THIS REASON, THE STAFF WILL GENERALLY ADVISE AGAINST RESERVING COLORS.  ESPECIFICACIONES DE RESERVAS DE TERMINO ·         APOYAMOS NUESTROS CLIENTES! IF YOU WANT TO COPYRIGHT SPECIAL FORMULAS, THIS OFFICE WILL NOT HANDLE THAT IN THIS FORM. ASK FOR GUIDANCE. YOU MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH INSTEAD OR OTHER APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY.
12. Clase internacional (Indicar la clase conforme a los productos o servicios que protegerá la marca, de acuerdo con la Clasificación Internacional de Productos y Servicios (Niza).	3
13. Para proteger y distinguir Especificar la lista de productos o servicios que protegerá la marca (omitir términos como “etc.”, “y otros”, “y todos los demás productos o servicios incluidos en esta clase”)	[COPY AND PASTE LIST OF PRODUCTS PROVIDED IN THE LATEST VERSION OF THE NICE CLASSIFICATION DOCUMENT THAT YOU CAN FIND ONLINE FOR THE PARTICULAR CLASS.]
14. País de origen:	[COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF BRAND]
15. Se aporta el comprobante de pago (art.9 inciso j) y art.10 inciso e) de la Ley de Marcas) (Debe aportar el comprobante de pago de derechos equivalente a $50 en timbres del Registro Nacional. Solicitud multiclase se paga $50 por cada clase.)	[ADJUNTO COMPROBANTE DE BCR]
16. Señalo para atender Notificaciones sobre esta gestión. (Los medios que indica la ley. Para mayor agilidad en el trámite se recomienda señalar correo electrónico y/o número de Fax.)	janedoe@gmail.com NB. AN EMPLOYEE IN THAT OFFICE HAS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT APPLICANTS USE ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS BECAUSE THEIR SYSTEM SOMEHOW HAS TROUBLE SENDING OUT EMAILS WITH ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS.
El día	[TODAY’S DATE]
Firma del solicitante o representante	[YOU SIGN HERE]
17. Timbres (Aportar ¢20 en timbres de Archivo Nacional y ¢250 en timbres del Colegio de Abogados.)	[STAMPS BOUGHT FROM BANCO DE COSTA RICA] IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION ON LINE, YOU WILL NEED TO SEND COPIES OF YOUR PAYMENT RECEIPTS.

(NEW FORM) TYPE OF BRAND: [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY, NOT ONLY ONE. FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU ARE MANUFACTURING SOMETHING FOR SALE, TICK MANUFACURING BRAND AND COMMERCIAL BRAND.]

STEP 5: Make the payments. Options include the following.

1. Physically go to any Banco de Costa Rica. Go to the teller / cashier, NOT the plataforma (since, as at late 2022, the plataforma no longer performs this type of task). Tell the cashier the following or write in down and show it to him or her. This alone should suffice for a sufficiently experienced teller. An inexperienced teller may request an account number. However, one is not required. Their systems are equipped for fixed-fee payments for specific purposes called 'Tasaciones, Montos fijos'.

Quiero pagar el registro de marca comercial.

• Solicitud inscipción de marca USD 50 en colones (número de timbre #1)
• 1 timbre Archivo de CRC 20 (número de timbre #6)

or 

2. Online IF you have an account with Banco de Costa Rica. 

    For the brandname (1 of 2 payments)

1. Log in at bancobcr.com (using the your respective password and dynamic password). Make the following selections
2. 'TASACIONES' (upper right part of the screen).
3. 'MONTOS FIJOS' in the 'tasaciones' menu (left of the screen).
4. Open the 'REGISTRO' tab and choose 'MARCA COMERCIAL
5. Open the 'ACTO' tab and choose the option you require, like 'Inscripción; (for new registrations., 'renovación' for renewals, etc.
6. In the Stamp number field, enter 1 (one) (which refers to the National Registry Stamp).
7. In the MONTO box, indicate the amount in colones converted from Dollars to Colones using the current exchange rate, as per Banco de Costa Rica.
8. Click on CALCULAR, then “AQUI”. 

    For the 'timbre', ie the stamp duty (2 of 2 payments)

1. 'TASACIONES' (upper right part of the screen).
2. 'MONTOS FIJOS' in the 'tasaciones' menu (left of the screen).
3. Open the 'REGISTRO' tab and choose 'MARCA COMERCIAL
4. Open the 'ACTO' tab and choose 'CERTIFICACION DE MARCA' (the variation from the first payment above).
5. In the Stamp number field, enter 6 (ie six) (which refers to the  'timbre archivo').
6. In the MONTO box, indicate the amount of CRC 20.
7. Click on CALCULAR, then “PAGAR”.

STEP 6: Submit the completed form along with proof of payment. Options include the following.

• Physically go into the main Intellectual Property office or a division within any Registro Nacional office (usually inside of a Banco de Costa Rica building)  - or -
• Send an email (recepcionrpi01@rnp.go.cr) with these documents attached. The email can read as follows. Notice that documents should be sent in PDF format. Your application will likely be considered 'no recibido' (not received) if all documents, including receipts are not scanned and sent as PDF files.

Estimados Señores,

Adjunto mi solicitud de inscripción de marca comercial [(YOUR REQUESTED BRAND NAME)] para el [business type]; [(BUSINESS NAME)].

Confirme si todo está en orden o si requieren algo más.

Gracias de antemano de cualquier forma por su pronta respuesta.

[your name]
Gerente, [Company name]

Tel / WhatsApp: [tel number(s)] 

Correo: [ your email address in common letters]

Adjunto en PDF:

• Comprobante de pago (USD 50 en colones - la marca, NC #3)
• Comprobante de pago (CRC 20 - timbre Archivo)
• Formulario

Step 6b: The IP office's response: Within a few days, you will receive a response by email like this.

Here is a rough explanation and partial translation of what the edict says. Despite the process being incomplete, you can now legally defend this brandname with the backing of the registry for 2 months after the date of this edict. However, accompanying elements (graphic art for instance) are not covered in this provision of protection.

Step 7: Respond to the edict: Within roughly 10 days, you will receive an edict (ie an official instruction) to submit your application to the Imprenta Nacional (the national printery that prepares official trustworthy government documents like passports, etc to prevent fraud). You can proceed with this immediately.

NB. In the event that you miss this or your final deadline, you will receive 'resolucions you can repeat step 5, ie to pay for your application. However, you can proceed without needing to repay the USD 50 payment for the Nice classification but will need to repay the nominal stamp duty (of CRC 20). To this end, in the signature section of the new application form, type the following text. "Favor utilizar el entero bancario aportado en el expediente [ENTER YOUR EXPEDIENTE (IE CASE NUMBER)]" and show it to the cashier in reference to the note (above) regarding the 'solicitud de inscripción de marca de USD 50'.

Step 8: If the name is rejected: If the Registro Nacional has some objections to your proposed name, you will receive the following cover note by email. It checks the 'Prevención' box. You will also receive an attached document that explains the type and reason for the objection. 

Common reasons are that your proposed brand name is: 

• too descriptive of the brand promise or objective. For instance, if you make hand cream, the brand name 'healthy hands' would be unacceptable because it would be considered too 'descriptive' or making promises of the results (versus simply being a name). 
• misleading. For instance, 'creamy fingers' or 'luscious fingers' may be misconstrued as edible, even though you have named the part of the body to which the product applies.

Your option(s):

• Write a letter asking that they file away your request. If you do this, you can return to the process with a new name at your leisure, even years afterwards. In fact, you can even restate your file number (expediente) to avoid having to pay again for the Nice registration. The following statement will likely work for this purpose. "Favor utilizar el entero bancario aportado en el expediente [ENTER YOUR EXPEDIENTE (IE CASE NUMBER)]"

CONTENT RELATED TO REGISTERING A BRANDNAME WITHOUT A LAWYER IN COSTA RICA

• Downloadable application forms (brand names, commercial names, etc). 
• See sample of a completed form of application for a business name.
• Address of the Intellectual Property department of the Registro Nacional: Frente a Price Smart, 500 metros este de Iglesia Católica de ZAPOTE, San Jose (province). Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm (for documentation) or 3:30pm (for anything else).
• How to handle this matter when you are personally unable to act on your own behalf for your corporation (because you are in a foreign country, ill or otherwise unable)