Entrepreneurs developing a name or logo for a product or service.
Trademarks and business
A path to registering your trademark.
We review the mark you want to protect, the goods or services it will identify and relevant prior marks. We define the scope before preparing your application in El Salvador.
Book your free 15-minute callIntroductory conversation · No legal advice or document review.
A guide to getting started
Find your next step.
Select your situation to understand what we can review, the general stages and how fees are agreed. No registration or documents required.
General guidance. Scope, fees and acceptance of the matter are subject to written confirmation.
Our approach
Start with the mark and its intended use.
An application needs to specify the mark and the goods or services it will cover. Our assessment brings these elements together with the search findings to explain risks and outstanding decisions.
Compass Abogados advises on preparing and following up trademark applications. A search informs the assessment: acceptance and registration depend on examination and the decision of the Salvadoran Intellectual Property Institute (ISPI), part of CNR.
A defined starting point
Deliverables that support your decision.
The written proposal specifies the actions and deliverables included. Depending on the agreed scope, these may comprise:
- An outline of goods or services and a description of the proposed mark.
- A summary of prior marks found, search scope and identified risks.
- Proposed classes and a list of goods or services for your confirmation.
- A list of requirements, documents and outstanding applicant and application information.
- Agreed filing and follow-up, with a summary of actions and next steps.
Legal fees, applicable taxes, official charges and external expenses remain subject to written confirmation and are itemized separately. Responses to notices and oppositions are agreed separately. The free call does not include legal advice or document review.
Who we advise
For businesses defining the protection they need.
Companies assessing a mark they already use in the market.
Businesses abroad planning to offer goods or services in El Salvador.
Applicants seeking review of an examiner’s notice or opposition in an existing application.
Scope of counsel
Assessment, application and agreed follow-up.
The proposal identifies the mark, goods or services, included actions and each party’s responsibilities. Responses to examiner’s notices and oppositions are agreed separately.
Defining the mark
We identify the name, logo or combination you intend to apply for and the information needed to describe it.
Prior marks and risks
We review the agreed search results and potentially relevant similarities. A preliminary search does not guarantee availability or registration.
Goods and classes
We propose a list of goods and services and Nice classes to assess based on the intended business activity.
Application preparation
We organize applicant and mark requirements and prepare the application and filing covered by the engagement.
Application follow-up
We communicate actions, publications and next steps during the contracted follow-up, identifying outstanding decisions and documents.
Notices and oppositions
We assess their content and possible responses. Drafting submissions, handling a defense and other actions require separately confirmed scope and fees.
How we work
Clear decisions at each stage.
The introductory call helps us understand your objective. Legal advice and document review begin after initial checks and written acceptance of the engagement.
- 01
Define
We identify the mark, intended owner, goods or services and current stage to propose the work.
- 02
Assess
We review prior marks and risks and propose the classes and requirements to confirm before filing.
- 03
Prepare and file
With your agreement and the necessary documents, we prepare and file the application covered by the engagement with ISPI.
- 04
Follow the application
The procedure includes formal and substantive examination, publication and the opportunity for opposition. We follow it through the contracted stage; registration and a certificate are issued where appropriate.
Bilingual legal advice
Clarity for your trademark decisions.
Compass Abogados defines the advice around the mark, the business activity and the matter’s current stage. The engagement sets out what will be reviewed, what will be delivered and how application updates will be communicated.
Advice is available in Spanish and English. If the mark forms part of a business or investment in El Salvador, we coordinate those matters through a defined scope for each service.
Please share only a brief, non-confidential summary in your initial contact. Documents are requested after identity, parties and potential conflicts have been checked.
FAQ
Questions before applying for a trademark.
Does a favorable search guarantee registration?
No. A search identifies prior marks within its scope, but its findings are not conclusive for ISPI’s examination. An application may receive examiner’s notices or oppositions, and registration is not guaranteed.
How are the classes determined?
We start with the goods or services the mark will distinguish and prepare a proposal using the Nice Classification. Coverage must be described specifically; a class does not provide protection for every activity.
Does incorporating my company also register my trademark?
These are separate procedures. The company’s legal name identifies the company, while a trademark distinguishes goods or services. We review the mark and the protection to assess, even if it matches the company name.
What happens if there is an examiner’s notice or opposition?
We review the communication and explain the steps to assess. Responses, submissions and defense are engaged separately, with scope, responsibilities and fees confirmed in writing.
What does it cost and when will registration be granted?
Legal fees, applicable taxes, official charges and external expenses remain subject to written confirmation for each engagement and are itemized separately. Timing depends on the procedure and actions by the authority and third parties; no decision date or outcome is promised.
Prepare your next step
Trademark service guide
Organize a summary of your objective and the current stage before speaking with us.
Explore →Business and investment
Coordinate your trademark with company formation and entry into the market.
Explore →Prepare your inquiry
Share the context needed to arrange an introductory conversation.
Explore →Prepare for your next decision
CNR: trademark registration
Requirements, classification and general stages explained by the registry authority. In Spanish.
ISPI: prior-mark searches
Phonetic search terms and the limits of search findings for trademark examination. In Spanish.
ISPI: distinctive-sign services
Official reference on trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property procedures. In Spanish.
Contact
Let’s discuss your trademark.
Tell us the goods or services, who would own the mark and whether an application already exists. The free 15-minute introductory call helps us understand the matter and the next step; it does not include legal advice or document review.
Prepare a brief summary for your inquiryWe respond within one business day.
15 minutes · Complimentary · No legal advice
juan.uceda@compassabogados.com+503 7786-0276San Salvador, El SalvadorPlease do not send documents or confidential or sensitive information in your initial contact. Scheduling a conversation does not create an attorney-client relationship or confirm acceptance of the matter.