Register a European Union trademark – Comprehensive trademark protection throughout the EU

Register a European Union trademark – Effective trademark protection throughout the EU

A European Union trademark application is filed with the European Trademark Office (EUIPO). Here are the steps you should follow for a successful application:

• trademark search
  Before applying for an EU trademark, it is crucial to ensure that no identical or similar trademarks are already registered in the European Trademark Register. A thorough trademark search will help you avoid potential conflicts and increase your chances of a successful application.

• Submit registration
  You can conveniently register your EU trademark online via the EUIPO platform. The electronic filing process is simple and efficient, and the EUIPO offers a user-friendly interface for a straightforward filing process.

• Examination by the EUIPO
  After filing, the European Trademark Office will check whether your trademark meets the legal requirements, such as distinctiveness and compliance with formal requirements.

• publication
  After successful examination, your trademark will be published in the European Trademark Register. This publication gives third parties the opportunity to file oppositions against the application if they believe their earlier trademark rights are being infringed.

• registration
  If no objections are raised within the opposition period, your trademark will be registered and you will receive legal trademark protection throughout the European Union.

Conclusion
Registering a European Union trademark can be complex. With my support as a trademark attorney, I will ensure that your trademark is registered professionally and efficiently. I will guide you through the entire process and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

Creating a list of goods and services for trademark registration is often challenging, both for laypeople and for attorneys who are not specialized in trademark law. It is particularly important to strike the right balance to prevent future problems.

The correct representation of your activity
The list must not only accurately reflect the applicant's current activities but also consider potential future activities. The trademark applicant has a grace period of five years after filing the application, during which they are not required to use their trademark. However, trademark applications cannot be amended or supplemented after filing. If an important class or product is omitted, a new trademark application must be filed, or trademark protection will not be guaranteed in that area.

The risks of too broad a selection
It's important to be careful when selecting the goods and services in the list. Including too many classes increases the risk that third parties with prior rights will file an opposition to the trademark application. It's also important to note that after the five-year grace period, third parties may file a cancellation request if the trademark has not been used at all or has not been used in full.

Our support with trademark registration
My support as a trademark attorney will help you create a comprehensive and accurate list of goods and services that protects your rights in the long term and minimizes potential risks. I will ensure that your application covers all relevant goods and services while complying with the legal requirements.

Before applying for an EU trademark, it is crucial to conduct a thorough trademark search. This checks whether there are any prior trademark rights that could conflict with the trademark application. The EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) does not conduct this check ex officio, so it is the applicant's responsibility to identify potential conflicts early on.

Which signs can conflict with an EU trademark?
Not only EU trademarks can be opposed, but also national trademarks from the 28 EU Member States, international trademarks protected in the EU, company logos, company names, and domains. Similar trademarks or signs that could create a likelihood of confusion also pose a risk.

Why a comprehensive trademark search is important
Earlier trademarks or signs may oppose your EU trademark application if there is a likelihood of confusion. An opposition can be filed with the EUIPO within one month of the publication of the trademark application. If the opposition is successful, the trademark will not be entered in the trademark register, and the application will be rejected by the EUIPO.

Protect your brand in time
A thorough trademark search before filing can avoid costly errors and delays. My support as a trademark attorney will help you conduct a comprehensive trademark search to identify potential conflicts with older trademarks early on and securely file your EU trademark application.

Contact me now for a professional trademark search and ensure that your EU trademark is successfully registered without any legal obstacles!

Before a European Union trademark is registered, it must possess the necessary distinctive character and, in particular, must not be descriptive of the goods and services for which registration is sought. The EUIPO examines ex officio whether these requirements are met. If the EUIPO considers the trademark to be descriptive, the trademark application will be refused, and the application will not even be published.

Why review by a lawyer is important
The decision as to whether a trademark is descriptive is often unclear. For this reason, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in trademark law before applying for an EU trademark. In some cases, a descriptive word mark can still be protected by converting it into a word-figurative mark.

Contact me today for legal advice on trademark registration and protect your trademark in advance against possible obstacles to registration!

The costs for registering a European Union trademark depend on the number of classes of goods and services you choose for trademark protection. Here is an overview of EUIPO fees:

• Basic fee: 850 € for first class

• Additional fee: 50 € for the second class and 150 € for each additional class

These fees cover trademark protection for a period of 10 years. After this period, trademark renewal fees can be paid to continue protecting your trademark.

The more classes you choose, the higher the cost. However, it's important to select the right classes to ensure your trademark is protected in the relevant areas.

Contact me for detailed advice on the costs and registration process for your European Union trademark!