Sri Lanka’s IP Office launches online search platform for national records

Sri Lanka’s IP Office launches online search platform for national records

The free-of-charge initiative is a significant step in modernizing and digitizing the IP framework

Marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation efforts, the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) of Sri Lanka has launched its long-awaited public online search platform for Intellectual Property (IP) records.

Users can now access the country’s databases covering trademarks, patents and industrial designs through a centralized online portal available free of charge.

The initiative is a significant step in modernizing and digitizing Sri Lanka’s IP framework. It was was implemented with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), reinforcing international collaboration in strengthening the country’s IP infrastructure.

The online filing capabilities will further streamline the registration process in Sri Lanka. The move signals a shift towards a more efficient, transparent and accessible IP system.

The launch of the public database delivers meaningful advantages for trademark owners and businesses operating or expanding into the country’s market.

With remote access to official records, brand owners can now conduct preliminary clearance searches more efficiently, improving early risk assessment before filing applications. The increased transparency will enable rights holders to monitor potentially conflicting marks and take timely action.

The scenario in other jurisdictions suggested that greater public access to records often led to increased filing activity. As a result, early and strategic trademark registration is highly critical for businesses seeking to secure their rights.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka continues to operate under a first-to-file system, where rights are primarily secured through registration rather than use. But, with easier access to registry information, clearance searches will become a standard pre-filing step.

Previously, filing was advisable to secure priority, and monitoring strategies may need to be reviewed to ensure adequate protection.

Thus, for brand owners expanding into South Asia, Sri Lanka remains a strategically important market.

The enhanced transparency of the registry allows clearance and risk assessment to be conducted more efficiently. It strengthens enforcement strategies and supports better alignment of IP portfolio management with regional expansion plans. Increased accessibility means competitors can now easily identify and respond to new filings.

It underscores the importance of adopting a proactive and well-planned trademark strategy in an increasingly transparent IP environment - one defined by digital access, procedural efficiency and greater market clarity for rights holders globally.