European Union Trademark Registration.

European Union Trademark Registration.

Our law firm maintains a wide portfolio of clients for whom we have registered a European Union Trademark. We carry more than 25 years experience in trademark law and intellectual property matters.

Cyprus being a country member of the European Union offers unique opportunities for trademark registration and exploitation of intellectual property rights.

In this article I take you through the key steps to register a trademark in the European Union.

What is an EU trademark.

An EU trademark is a trademark registered under the EU trademark system which grants you exclusive rights for your trademark in current and future Member States of the European Union through a single registration, filed online. The application is filed with the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).

What are the benefits of trademark registration in Europe.

The possibility to register via a single application a trademark that will offer protection in all EU 27 countries offers tremendous advantages to entrepreneurs and businesses.

📌One simple procedure to protect your brand

📌One registration procedure in one language gives you a trade mark that is valid in all EU countries for 10 years. It can be renewed indefinitely, 10 years at a time.

📌Builds an asset and establishes your rights

📌An EU trade mark gives you an exclusive right in all EU countries at a reasonable cost.

📌Defends you against rival marks

📌You can enforce your trade mark in a market of almost 500 million consumers.

📌Protects you against counterfeiting and fraud

📌If someone uses your trade mark without your consent, you can take legal action.

What types of trademarks are protected?

There are a multitude of possibilities for EU trademark registration and your application may take different shape or form. These are:

🔖Word Mark. A word mark consists exclusively of words or letters or numbers or other standard typographic characters, or of a combination of any of those.

🔖Figurative mark. A trade mark where non-standard characters, stylisation or layout, or a graphic feature or a colour are used. They can consist exclusively of figurative elements or of a combination of verbal and figurative elements.

🔖Shape mark. A shape mark is, or extends to, a three-dimensional shape. It can include containers, packaging, the product itself or its appearance.

🔖Position mark. This mark shows the specific way in which the mark is placed or affixed to a product.

🔖Pattern mark. This mark consists exclusively of a set of elements that are repeated regularly.