Overview of EU Trademarks:

On December 20, 1993, the European Union Conference adopted the European Community Trade Mark Regulation (CMTR). European Union countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain have begun to adopt a trademark system for use throughout the EU. The EU Trademark Office began to accept applications for trademarks in the EU on January 1, 1996. The period of trademark protection in the EU is 10 years, renewable, with each renewal period of 10 years.

Applicants for EU trademarks are not limited to nationals of EU member states. Applications may also be made by nationals of other member states of the Paris Convention and the World Intellectual Property Organization. The current EU trademark system covers 27 member countries.

EU trademark registration advantages:

1. Get a wider range of protection

The registration of a trademark in the European Union remains effective as a whole in the member states of the European Union: the filing of an application for a trademark in the European Union gives the right to use trademarks in 28 member states.

2. It costs less to register

The e minimalist process means that the filing costs are lower, as opposed to the overall cost of registering a trademark in a single country.

3. Have priority

According to the provisions of the EU trademark law, if the trademark has been registered in any country, or is already an international trademark, then the application for trademark registration in the EU enjoys priority, the same if registered in the EU country, in other countries also enjoy such rights.

4. Effectively fight against cybersquatters

In the business competition, there is a means is cybersquatting, through this means can play to destroy the image and reputation of the other side, and after the registration of the trademark in the EU, it has the right to fight against cybersquatting, that is, after the registration of the enterprise, enjoy the priority of domain name registration.

The conditions for registering a trade mark in the European Union

1. The time limit for the filing of an application for a European Union mark in which priority is claimed is six months from the priority date;

2. A copy of the priority document shall be submitted to the Principal Authority within three months after its submission;

3. Submissions can be made in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. The applicant must indicate the second language, i.e. the language of the objection, cancellation or invalidation procedure;

4. Words, logos, devices or other prominent features that can be represented by graphics as trademarks;

5. The applicant's country is a member of the European Community, the Paris Convention or the World Trade Organization.

Materials required for EU trademark registration

1. Company name and address (in Chinese and English); Copy of business license.

2. International classification information of commodities and services. Specifies information such as a list of goods and services to be used.

3. Trademark drawings in 5 copies, clear requirements, good paper quality

4. Power of Attorney (provided by the Company, but must be signed by the applicant).

The process of registering a trademark in the EU

1. Preparation stage: Verify trademark and customer qualification; Prepare power of attorney; Complete and submit the trademark application.

2. Formal acceptance stage: the consultant will accept the notice and express it to your address; Inform the acceptance of the trademark in time.

3. The examination stage of the Trademark Office: the trademark registration authority shall conduct formal examination of the application; After examination, a notice of acceptance will be issued; Begin substantive review.

4. Announcement period: the trademark shall be registered and the registration notice shall be published at the same time if no objection is raised within 3 months from the date of publication of the announcement.

5. Completing the application: the Trademark Office issues the registration certificate, transfers it to the customer, and completes the EU trademark registration.