Norway (NIPO) trademark application success rates

For businesses aiming to secure their brand identity in Scandinavia, understanding the trademark registration landscape in Norway is essential. Below is a five-year overview of trademark application outcomes at the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) and best practices for successful registration.

By

Igor Demcak

Trademark protection wherever you need it

Application success rate at Norway’s NIPO: 5-year overview

Between 2019 and 2023, Norway maintained an average trademark application success rate of 79.48%. The success rate has demonstrated some year-to-year variation but generally remained strong, peaking at 81.91% in 2021 and staying above 78% in most years.

Applications filed in

Registered

Filed

Success rate

2019

5,501

7,104

77.44%

2020

5,463

6,937

78.75%

2021

5,908

7,213

81.91%

2022

4,967

6,126

81.08%

2023

4,684

5,991

78.18%

Total (average)

26,523

33,371

79.48%

Norway trademark application success rate

Comparison to major IP Offices in the region

With an average success rate of 79.48%, Norway stands out as a favorable jurisdiction for trademark protection. It performs significantly above the global average, falling slightly below larger IP markets such as the EUIPO (90.80%) but above USPTO (56.91%).

This success rate places it slightly below some neighboring Nordic offices such as Denmark (87.78%), Sweden (83.07%), but above other European countries like Poland (71.94%) and Germany (71.38%).

Find out more about how this trademark office compares globally in our full report on trademark success rates worldwide.

Country

Office code

Success rate

Norway

NIPO

79.48%

Denmark

DKPO

87.78%

Sweden

PRV

83.07%

The European Union

EUIPO

90.80%

Several factors contribute to Norway’s trademark registration performance:

Moderate application volume

Norway handles a steady, manageable number of filings, enabling examiners to dedicate appropriate attention to each application without extensive backlogs.

Strong legal framework

Norway’s IP laws align closely with international standards, offering clear rules that support both applicants and third parties in navigating trademark protection effectively.

Experienced applicant base

Many applicants in Norway are seasoned businesses and IP professionals, which helps produce well-prepared applications, reducing errors and objections.

How to maximize your chances of registration success in Norway

Despite a relatively high success rate of 79.48%, registering a trademark in Norway requires some preparation and understanding of NIPO procedures. To improve your likelihood of approval, it’s recommended to begin with a comprehensive trademark search to identify any potential conflicts. Ensure that your mark is distinctive and not merely descriptive, and clearly define the goods and services associated with your application.

Working with a qualified trademark lawyer is one of the most effective ways to increase your chances. A trademark lawyer can help navigate the complexities of the NIPO process, respond effectively to Office Actions, and build a solid filing strategy from the start.

If you are currently preparing to submit your first trademark application, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to strengthen your chances of success, with multiple pieces of advice directly from our trademark lawyers with years of experience. You can also take advantage of Trama’s free lawyer’s check to receive expert feedback on your trademark and guidance on the best steps forward.

Igor Demcak
Igor Demcak

Trademark Attorney

Founder of Trama

7 year experience in IP protection

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