Trademark Registration in Cambodia

Overview: why register a trademark in Cambodia?

Cambodia is a close neighbouring market to Vietnam, with increasingly tight trade and investment ties, especially in retail, food and beverage, construction, agriculture and services. Many Vietnamese businesses already operate branches, distribution or franchises there, making trademark protection practical to avoid someone else registering the brand name first. Cambodia follows the first-to-file principle: rights belong to the earliest applicant. A foreign applicant who is not resident and has no place of business in Cambodia must file through a local intellectual property agent. One important particularity: Cambodia requires an Affidavit of Use to maintain the mark — if it is missed, the mark can be treated as abandoned and lose effect. Cambodia is a member of the Madrid System and can be designated through an international application.

Trademark registration cost in Cambodia

Reference estimate for one class; extra classes cost more. Excludes VAT and extra costs under each country's rules (office action responses, oppositions, grant fees, translation/legalisation...).

Requirements for protection

• The sign must be capable of distinguishing goods or services; it must not be directly descriptive, generic or customary.
• It may be a word, device, logo, combination, and other visible signs clearly represented.
• It must not be identical or confusingly similar to a registered mark or an earlier application for identical or similar goods or services.
• It must not fall within prohibited signs: contrary to public order or morality, deceptive, or containing unauthorised state emblems.
• Classification follows the Nice Classification; fees are charged per class.
• A foreign applicant must appoint an intellectual property agent in Cambodia.

Clearance search before filing

Before filing, it is advisable to search the DIP database for identical or similar marks that are registered or pending, to assess registrability and the risk of refusal or opposition. The results form the basis for adjusting the mark, the list of classes and the filing strategy before official costs arise. LTV Law works with a Cambodian agent to run the search and deliver an assessment report.

Procedure & timeline by stage

Required documents

• A clear representation of the mark (image file for figurative or combined marks).
• The list of goods and services grouped by Nice class.
• Applicant details: name, address, nationality or country of incorporation.
• A power of attorney for the Cambodian agent (signature requirements apply; notarisation or legalisation may be needed in some cases).
• Priority document if claiming priority (within 6 months).
• A reminder schedule for the later Affidavit of Use deadline needed to maintain the mark.

Validity & renewal

A Cambodian trademark is valid for 10 years from the filing date and is renewable every 10 years without limit. A point requiring special attention: the owner must file an Affidavit of Use within one year after the 5th anniversary of the registration (that is, between the 5th and the end of the 6th year) to keep the mark alive; otherwise the mark can be treated as abandoned and removed. This requirement recurs for later cycles, so managing the deadlines is essential.

Common grounds for refusal & how to handle them

• Lack of distinctiveness or descriptiveness — reply with argument, evidence of use, or an added distinctive element.
• Identity or similarity with an earlier mark — highlight differences, limit the list, or provide a consent letter.
• Signs that are deceptive, contrary to public order or morality, or containing prohibited emblems.
• Deficiencies in documents or power of attorney — supplement as required by the DIP within the deadline.
• Failure to file the Affidavit of Use on time — leads to loss of the mark; the deadline must be tracked and met.

Key notes for registering in Cambodia

• •The single most important particularity: an Affidavit of Use must be filed within one year after the 5th anniversary of the registration to maintain it — if missed, the mark can be removed.
• •A foreign applicant must file through an intellectual property agent in Cambodia.
• •Geographically and commercially close to Vietnam, suitable for businesses expanding along the border or through franchising.
• •Set up a dual tracking calendar: the 10-year renewal deadline and the 5th–6th year Affidavit of Use deadline.

Frequently asked questions