EU Trademark

The European Union Trademark (EUTM) registration is a unified system that offers trademark protection across all member countries of the European Union through a single application. Here is a detailed overview of how it works and the requirements involved:

1. What Is The EU Trademark Registration?

The EU Trademark is a trademark registration that provides protection in all EU member states through a single application filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Once registered, your trademark is valid in all current and future EU member countries.

2. Which Countries Are Included?

An EUTM provides trademark protection across all 27 European Union countries, including:

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

3. Materials Required To Register An EU Trademark

To register an EUTM, you need to provide:

Applicant Information: Your name, address, and nationality (if you are registering as an individual or company).

Trademark Representation: This can be a wordmark, logo, or any other form of representation. You must provide a clear image or description of your trademark.

List of Goods and Services: A clear specification of the goods/services you want your trademark to cover, based on the Nice Classification.

Priority Claim Information (if applicable): If you have previously filed the same trademark in another country within the past 6 months, you may claim priority.

Power of Attorney (if using a representative): This is usually required if you use a legal representative, although EUIPO may not mandate it in every instance.

4. How Long Does It Take To Get The Certificate?

The duration to obtain an EUTM registration can vary based on the complexity of your application and any oppositions or issues raised during the process. Generally:

Unopposed Applications: These can take approximately 4-6 months from the date of application to registration.

Opposed Applications or Office Actions: If there are objections or opposition proceedings, the process may extend up to 18 months or longer.

5. Approximate Cost Of An EU Trademark Registration

The cost to register an EUTM varies depending on the number of classes of goods/services you are registering. The fee structure includes:

Basic Fee: €850 for one class of goods/services (electronic filing).

Second Class Fee: An additional €50.

Each Additional Class Fee: €150 per class beyond the second.

For example, if you register your trademark in three classes, the cost would be €1,050.

Summary:

An EUTM provides protection across 27 EU countries with a single registration.

Basic application materials include applicant info, trademark representation, and a list of goods/services.

Registration can take 4-6 months for unopposed applications.

The cost starts at €850 for one class and increases with additional classes.