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How to Register a Trademark or Intellectual Property in Cambodia (2025 Guide)

As Cambodia’s economy continues to open up to foreign investment and entrepreneurship, protecting your brand and intellectual property (IP) has never been more important. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your business into Southeast Asia, or entering a joint venture, registering your trademark in Cambodia is a critical step in safeguarding your identity, reputation, and competitive edge.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of registering a trademark or other forms of IP in Cambodia, explain the legal framework, and show how Adaeng Development Co., Ltd. can help you protect your brand from day one.

Why Trademark and IP Protection Matters in Cambodia

Cambodia is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and a signatory to several international treaties, including:

  • The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
  • The Madrid Protocol (since 2015)
  • The Berne Convention for copyright protection

Despite these commitments, IP enforcement in Cambodia is still developing, and unregistered marks are vulnerable to misuse or imitation. That’s why formal registration is essential—especially for foreign brands entering the market.

Key Benefits of Trademark Registration:

  • Exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or slogan
  • Legal recourse against infringement or counterfeiting
  • Enhanced credibility with customers, partners, and investors
  • Asset value for licensing, franchising, or sale

What Can Be Registered as a Trademark in Cambodia?

Under the Law Concerning Marks, Trade Names and Acts of Unfair Competition (2002), the following can be registered:

  • Words (brand names, slogans)
  • Logos and symbols
  • Letters or numerals
  • Shapes or packaging
  • Combinations of the above

To be eligible, a trademark must be distinctive, non-generic, and not misleading. It must also not conflict with existing registered marks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Registering a Trademark in Cambodia

1. Conduct a Trademark Search

Before filing, it’s wise to check whether your desired mark is already registered or pending. You can:

  • Search the Cambodian Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) database
  • Use WIPO’s Global Brand Database
  • Hire a local IP attorney or agent for a comprehensive search

Adaeng Development can assist with preliminary searches and risk assessments.

2. Prepare Your Application

Your trademark application must include:

  • Applicant’s name and address
  • Representation of the mark (image or text)
  • List of goods/services under the Nice Classification
  • Priority claim (if applicable)
  • Power of attorney (if using a local agent)

Foreign applicants must file through a licensed local agent.

3. Submit to the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP)

Applications are submitted to the Ministry of Commerce’s DIP in Phnom Penh. As of 2025, Cambodia does not yet offer full online filing, so physical submission is required.

Fees (subject to change):

  • Filing fee: ~$50 USD per class
  • Registration fee: ~$100 USD per class
  • Renewal fee (every 10 years): ~$100 USD

4. Examination and Publication

The DIP will:

  • Examine the application for formalities and conflicts
  • Publish the mark in the Official Gazette for opposition (60 days)

If no opposition is filed, or if opposition is resolved in your favor, the mark proceeds to registration.

5. Receive Certificate of Registration

Once approved, you’ll receive a Certificate of Trademark Registration, valid for 10 years from the filing date. It can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year increments.

International Registration via the Madrid Protocol

Cambodia joined the Madrid Protocol in 2015, allowing foreign applicants to register their trademarks in Cambodia through a single international application filed with WIPO.

Advantages:

  • Centralized filing and management
  • Cost-effective for multi-country protection
  • Streamlined renewals and changes

However, local representation may still be needed for responding to objections or enforcement.

Other Forms of Intellectual Property in Cambodia

1. Copyright

  • Covers literary, artistic, musical, and software works
  • Automatically protected upon creation
  • Optional registration available with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts

2. Patents and Utility Models

  • Administered by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI)
  • Valid for 20 years (patents) or 7 years (utility models)
  • Requires novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability

3. Industrial Designs

  • Protects the visual appearance of products
  • Valid for 5 years, renewable twice (up to 15 years total)

Adaeng Development can connect you with registered IP agents and help coordinate multi-type filings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using unregistered marks in commerce
  • Assuming international trademarks apply locally
  • Failing to monitor for infringement
  • Missing renewal deadlines
  • Not translating marks into Khmer when appropriate

Enforcing Your Trademark Rights

Cambodia’s IP enforcement mechanisms are improving, but still evolving. You can:

  • File a complaint with the DIP or Ministry of Commerce
  • Seek civil remedies through the Commercial Court
  • Request customs intervention to block counterfeit imports
  • Work with local authorities to seize infringing goods

Adaeng Development can help you monitor, enforce, and defend your IP rights through trusted legal partners.

Why Work With Adaeng Development?

At Adaeng Development Co., Ltd., we understand that your brand is your most valuable asset. We offer:

  • Trademark search and risk analysis
  • Filing coordination with licensed IP agents
  • Legal structuring for brand ownership
  • IP strategy for franchising, licensing, or joint ventures
  • Ongoing monitoring and enforcement support

We’ve helped startups, SMEs, and global brands protect their IP in Cambodia’s fast-growing market.

Explore our Work With Us page to learn how we can support your brand protection journey.

Conclusion: Protect Your Brand, Empower Your Growth

In Cambodia’s dynamic and competitive business environment, trademark and IP registration is not optional—it’s essential. Whether you’re launching a new brand, entering a joint venture, or expanding your global footprint, securing your intellectual property is the foundation of long-term success.

Ready to register your trademark in Cambodia? Contact Adaeng Development today for a personalized consultation.