Intellectual Property lawyers in Sri Lanka (AS)

Intellectual property lawyers in Sri Lanka typically provide these services:

• Trademark registration and prosecution through the National Intellectual Property Office
• Patent drafting, filing, and prosecution
• Copyright registration and enforcement
• IP litigation in Commercial High Courts
• IP portfolio management and strategy
• IP due diligence for business transactions
• Licensing and technology transfer agreements
• Anti-counterfeiting and customs enforcement actions

These services help businesses and individuals protect their creative and innovative assets across Sri Lanka’s developing economy.

The National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) of Sri Lanka is located at 400 D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha in Colombo 10. This is the central government authority responsible for registering and administering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and other IP rights in Sri Lanka. The office is situated near the Colombo Fort Railway Station and the Beira Lake, making it accessible from most parts of Colombo’s commercial district.

Trademark registration costs with a Sri Lankan attorney typically include:

• Government filing fees: LKR 3,000-5,000 per class
• Attorney fees: LKR 25,000-75,000 for standard cases
• Registration fees (after approval): LKR 3,000-5,000
• Renewal fees (every 10 years): LKR 3,000-5,000

Additional costs may apply for trademark searches, responding to office actions, or handling opposition proceedings. Patent attorneys in Colombo may charge different rates than those in other cities like Kandy or Galle. Prices vary based on complexity and the attorney’s experience level.

Local representation is important when filing patents in Sri Lanka because:

1. Sri Lankan patent law requires foreign applicants to work through a registered local agent
2. Local patent attorneys understand the examination practices of the National Intellectual Property Office in Colombo
3. They can communicate effectively with examiners in local languages (Sinhala or Tamil)
4. They navigate Sri Lanka-specific technical requirements and formatting standards
5. They can attend in-person hearings when necessary

Local patent agents also understand industry contexts specific to Sri Lanka’s economy, helping to craft patent claims that provide optimal protection in the local market.

Sri Lanka implemented its current intellectual property laws in 2003 with the passage of the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003. This comprehensive legislation replaced previous separate laws and consolidated protection for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, and other IP rights under a single statute. The Act came into force on November 12, 2003, bringing Sri Lanka’s IP system into compliance with the TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights). Since then, the Act has received minor amendments, but remains the fundamental legal framework for IP protection in Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, trademark disputes are primarily handled by:

• The Commercial High Court of Colombo, which has exclusive original jurisdiction over intellectual property matters
• The Court of Appeal for appeals from Commercial High Court decisions
• The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka for final appeals on points of law

Before litigation, trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings are first heard by the Director General of the National Intellectual Property Office. Alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation and arbitration, are also available through the Commercial Mediation Centre of Sri Lanka, located in Colombo’s World Trade Center.