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Trademark Registration in the European Union

Doing business in Europe requires registering a trademark in the European Union. How this works and what you need for it will be explained by the specialists of the patent and legal company EXIP.

There are two ways to register a trademark in EU countries:

• Registration in an individual country through the OHIM (Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market)
• Registration in all EU countries at once through an international application under the Madrid Protocol

Which method is better to choose?

On the one hand, registering a trademark in the EU under the Madrid Protocol makes doing business easier. On the other hand, if there are grounds for refusal in even one of the countries, you will receive a refusal of trademark registration for the entire territory of the European Union.

The EXIP experts can advise which option is best for your company — get a consultation.

Procedure for registering a trademark in Europe

To file an application, the following information is needed:

• Details of the trademark, its class, a description of the services or goods, and an indication of whether it includes a logo
• Information about the applicant. If it is an individual, their personal data; if it is a legal entity, detailed information about the company

After the application is filed, it may be examined and challenged for 3 months if there are similar or identical trademarks. If there are no objections, registration follows.

A trademark registration in the European Union is valid for 10 years and can then be renewed for the same period. The only important point: the trademark must be put to use in at least one EU country within 5 years, otherwise the registration may be cancelled.

To register a trademark in European countries, contact us by phone at +38 (044) 569-82-34 or by email at info@1exip.co.uk.