
What is your Tax ID in Mexico? – RFC number
Everything you need to know about your company Tax ID (RFC number)! What is the RFC number and what is its purpose? The RFC number is an essential part of the company formation in Mexico.
In recent years, Colombia has been an attractive country for new businesses and companies that are interested in expanding and entering an emerging and growing market. It is also perfect if expanding in the region is a plan in the future since it has various agreements with neighboring countries like Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, etc. Since 2020 it is also a member of the OECD, which means Colombia is in the process of adjusting to international standards and promoting international cooperation.
Registering a trademark in Colombia is one important step for companies that want to protect their products, brand, and identity. Like in other countries, you have 5 years in order to start using the trademark and it has to be renewed every 10 years. The trademark registration process, as well as the renewal, can be done online or in person in Colombia.
It is important to register a trademark because it gives you legal protection and it significantly reduces the competition since other companies and businesses won’t be able to commercialize a product with the same name, or logo.
It is also important from a marketing and advertising point of view because your clients will be able to easily identify your brand, product, and name.
These are some of the things that can be registered as a trademark. However, the NICE Classification has many other categories of products, services, and more that can be registered.
Products
Services
Production establishment
Commercial establishment
Advertising phrase (slogan)
Sound mark
Collective mark
Certification mark
The NICE Classification, often called NCL is the international classification for goods and services that entities around the world use for the registration of trademarks. Since its creation in 2013, it includes 34 different classes and each of them has an alphabetical list of the goods that can be used for registration. The list is updated every five years, but a new version is published every year on the platform designated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The agency in charge of the registration of trademarks in Colombia is the ‘Oficina Virtual de Propiedad Industrial’, known as SIPI, which is a digital platform created by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce to facilitate and centralize the process. However, it can also be done at one of the many offices the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce has all over Colombia.
To successfully complete the registration of the trademark, the SIPI asks for these documents. They will verify that the trademark is not owned by anyone else.
Classification of the goods or services according to the NICE guidelines
Receipt of payment of the fees to the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce
Application Form with the information of the mark either through the online platform or at the offices of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce
File including the logo of the brand
Power of Attorney of the Legal Representative
No, you can register a trademark as a natural person, you don’t need to do it under the name of a company. In the future, if you wish to start using the trademark, you can register a company and transfer the trademark to it to start commercializing it.
If you already have a trademark, you have 5 years to start using it, so it is advised that you form a company in Colombia or transfer it to an already existing legal structure. This way you can start with the promotion, production, and distribution, and finally start profiting from it.
Would you like to register a company in Colombia? These are some of the steps you need to follow. Remember that this may differ depending on the type of company, as well as the nature of the business, and more. In some cases, it is necessary to apply for licenses and permits.
Identify and select the right type of company
Search for the availability of the name at the ‘Registro Único Empresarial’
Elaboration and signature of the Power of Attorney
Preparation and drafting of the company’s bylaws
Obtain a Pre Taxpayer ID or Pre RUT
Register the company with the Chamber of Commerce
Obtain the final Tax ID or RUT
Register the company’s books
At Easyco, we make company formation in Colombia easy; our team of corporate experts has vast experience helping companies and individuals register their business in Colombia, with a proven track record of success across all of our services. Easyco aims to tackle the complex company formation processes across LATAM. We make business registration easy by providing a hassle-free online company registration experience. Start your company in Colombia today!
Easyco also provides additional services to guarantee your company’s compliance, which include:
Appointment of legal representation,
Providing a registered office address
Handling tax and accounting
Hassle-free Payroll Services
Manage your Company bank Account Opening
Manage your Trademark Registration
Corporate Legal Services