Albania Adopts Law No. 52/2025 on Trademarks

Tirana, July 2025 – The Albanian Parliament has approved Law No. 52/2025 “On Trademarks”, a reform designed to modernize the trademark protection system and bring it closer to European standards. The legislation aims to provide greater legal certainty for businesses, safeguard consumers, and enhance the country’s appeal to foreign investors.

The new law simplifies the process of registering a trademark, making procedures clearer and less bureaucratic. It also strengthens the protection of well-known brands, which will now enjoy legal safeguards even when used in different sectors from their original one. Another important innovation concerns licensing and transfer agreements, which are now governed by stricter and more transparent rules, reducing the risk of legal disputes.

Trademark registration will continue to be handled by the General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDPI). The procedure involves an initial verification to ensure that the chosen mark is available in the GDPI’s online registry, followed by the submission of an application either online or on paper. Applicants must pay the relevant registration fee, the amount of which depends on the number of product or service classes requested. Once the application has been filed, the GDPI conducts a legal review and publishes the application in the Official Bulletin. A period is then granted for any third-party opposition. If no objections are raised, the trademark is officially registered and a certificate is issued.

The reform is expected to have a positive impact across the board. For businesses, it offers stronger protection against unfair competition and greater security for investments. For consumers, it ensures that goods and services bearing registered trademarks are authentic and reliable. At a broader level, the law increases the credibility of the Albanian market and strengthens its attractiveness for international capital.

With the adoption of Law No. 52/2025, Albania takes an important step toward a more modern and equitable system of trademark protection. Registering a trademark is no longer just a formal obligation but a strategic tool for building and safeguarding a company’s identity and success in both the national and global marketplace