Protecting your brand in Guatemala starts with registering your trademark (marca comercial) at the Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual (RPI), which operates under the Ministry of Economy (MINECO). A registered trademark gives you exclusive legal rights to use your brand name, logo, or combined mark in commerce within Guatemala, and provides the basis for legal action against counterfeiters, imitators, and infringers.
Guatemala uses the international Nice Classification system, meaning you register your trademark for specific classes of goods or services. If you sell clothing (Class 25), you register in that class. If you also offer retail services (Class 35), that is a separate registration. Each class requires its own application and fees, so it is important to identify which classes are relevant to your business before filing.
The process has been significantly modernized with RPI’s online portal at portal.rpi.gob.gt. Applications can be filed electronically, and the prior availability search can also be conducted online. The entire process takes approximately 4-6 months, including a mandatory 2-month opposition period during which third parties can challenge your application. If no oppositions are filed, RPI inscribes the trademark and issues the registration certificate.
Quick summary: Trademark registration costs Q600-Q1,500 total, takes 4-6 months, and provides 10 years of protection (renewable). File through the RPI online portal. Prior search available. Located at 7a Av 7-61, Zona 4. PBX: 2324-7070.
Information verified March 2026.
Types of Trademarks
| Type | Description | Search Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Denominativa (word mark) | Text-only brand name | Q100 |
| Figurativa (design mark) | Logo or graphic only | Q200 |
| Mixta (combined mark) | Text + graphic together | Q200 |
Requirements
- Online application through portal.rpi.gob.gt
- Graphic representation of the mark (for figurative/mixed marks)
- Applicant identification (DPI or company data)
- Power of representation (if using a lawyer)
- Payment receipts
Step-by-Step Process
- Conduct a prior search (busqueda de anterioridad) to check if a similar mark already exists — Q100-Q1,000 depending on search type
- File the application through the RPI online portal with your trademark details, Nice classification, and graphic representation
- Pay Q110 filing fee
- RPI examines the application for formal compliance
- Edict is published in the Official Bulletin — pay publication fees
- 2-month opposition period — third parties can object to your registration
- If no opposition, RPI inscribes the trademark
- Receive registration certificate — protection begins
- Total timeline: 4-6 months
Costs Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Prior search (word) | Q100 |
| Prior search (design/combined) | Q200 |
| Filing fee | Q110 |
| Edict publication | Q200 - Q1,000 |
| Lawyer fees (optional but recommended) | Q2,000 - Q5,000 |
| Total without lawyer | Q600 - Q1,500 |
| Total with lawyer | Q2,600 - Q6,500 |
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Always do the prior search first. Discovering that a similar mark is already registered after paying filing and publication fees wastes time and money. The Q100-Q200 search fee is a small investment.
- Choose the right Nice classes. Registering in the wrong class leaves your brand unprotected where it matters. Consult the Nice Classification guide or a trademark lawyer.
- Respond to any opposition promptly. If a third party opposes your trademark, you have a limited window to respond. Missing the deadline means your application is rejected.
- Renew before the 10-year expiration. Trademark protection is not automatic — you must actively renew. Set a reminder for year 9.
- Monitor for infringement after registration. A registered trademark is only useful if you enforce it. RPI does not proactively police trademarks; the owner must take action against infringers.
Details
Si existe una marca similar en la misma clase de Niza, el RPI probablemente rechazara su solicitud. Puede: (1) modificar su marca para que sea suficientemente distinta, (2) aplicar en una clase diferente si sus bienes/servicios difieren, o (3) impugnar el registro existente si puede probar uso previo o registro de mala fe. Consulte un abogado de propiedad intelectual.
Details
Bajo la Ley de Propiedad Industrial, una marca puede cancelarse si no se usa por 5 anos consecutivos. Un tercero interesado puede solicitar la cancelacion al RPI presentando evidencia de no uso. El titular de la marca debe demostrar uso real en Guatemala durante el periodo. Mantener evidencia de uso (facturas, publicidad, fotos de productos) es esencial.
Details
Las marcas que contienen terminos geograficos (ej. “Guatemala”, “Antigua”) o palabras genericas del producto (ej. “Cafe Superior”) son mas dificiles de registrar. El RPI puede rechazarlas por ser descriptivas. La solucion es combinar el termino con elementos distintivos (diseno, palabras inventadas) que hagan la marca registrable como conjunto.