Trademark registration in Uzbekistan is a crucial step in creating a recognizable brand and ensuring legal protection against unfair competition. However, not every sign can be registered. Uzbek legislation establishes specific restrictions that exclude certain categories of signs from legal protection. This article examines which signs cannot be registered in Uzbekistan and how to avoid refusal when filing an application.
State and official symbols
In Uzbekistan, you can’t register things like flags, national emblems, coats of arms, state awards, or the names of countries and international organizations as trademarks, unless you have special permission. These symbols represent government identity and aren’t meant for business or commercial use.
Non-distinctive trademarks
Some signs just don’t qualify as trademarks because they don’t help customers recognize the source of a product or service. Here’s what to watch out for:
Single letters, numbers, or common surnames
If your mark is just one letter, a number, or a widely used last name, it likely won’t be seen as unique enough to stand out.
Basic shapes
Simple shapes like circles, squares, or lines are usually seen as decoration, not something that can represent a brand.
Product images or functional shapes
You can’t register the shape of a product if it’s just about how the item works or looks (like the shape of a toothbrush). That’s because it shows what the product is, not who made it.
Descriptive or commonly used words
Words that simply describe your product (like “fresh” for bread or “soft” for pillows), or words that everyone uses in everyday speech, usually can’t be registered—unless you can prove people already recognize it as your brand due to long-term use.
Misleading trademarks
You can’t register a trademark if it could confuse people or give them the wrong idea. For example: About the product’s quality, you can’t register words like “eco” or “organic” if your product doesn’t actually meet environmental or organic standards. About where it comes from, you can’t call your product “Swiss Chocolate” if it wasn’t made in Switzerland. Basically, the trademark must tell the truth and not mislead customers.
Trademarks violating public values in Uzbekistan
You can’t register a trademark if it goes against moral or ethical standards. For example:
- If it includes anything offensive or discriminatory;
- If it contains rude or obscene words;
- If it shows something provocative or inappropriate in images or text.
Such signs are considered harmful to public interest and are not allowed for registration.
Identical or similar trademarks:
If your trademark looks or sounds too much like one that’s already registered, especially for similar products or services, it will likely be refused in Uzbekistan. The only way around this is if the owner of the existing trademark gives written consent.
How to avoid trademark refusal in Uzbekistan
Here’s what helps:
- Make sure the sign can legally be registered;
- Avoid using generic or overly descriptive words;
- Check in advance if similar trademarks already exist;
- Talk to a professional trademark attorney before filing.
Be strategic
Getting a trademark in Uzbekistan isn’t just about filling out forms. If you pick the wrong sign or skip legal checks, your application might be rejected and that can mean lost time, money, and no brand protection. But with the right trademark, you lay the foundation for a strong, recognizable brand in the Uzbek market.
