Ultimate EUIPO Guide: Understanding the trademark registration process

Registering a trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is a crucial step in safeguarding your business identity. If you have a brand that requires protection, understanding the procedural steps and expectations is essential. Although the process may appear complex, following a structured approach simplifies it significantly. This article provides a detailed overview of the registration procedure, expected duration, costs, and key stages involved.

Step 1: Preliminary Research

Before submitting your application, conducting thorough research is vital. A preliminary verification ensures that your desired trademark is not already in use or registered by another entity. A simple verification can prevent legal disputes later. We offer this verification service, and if you proceed with us for registration, we will conduct it free of charge to confirm the availability of your trademark.

To initiate the EUIPO trademark registration process, you will need:

·       The trademark name and/or logo (in a common format such as JPG, PNG, or GIF);

·       The list of goods and/or services for which the trademark will be registered (if you are uncertain about the precise description or the corresponding Nice Classification, our team can assist you in making an accurate classification).

·       The applicant’s identification details (either an individual or a legal entity—there are no differences in costs or protection levels).

Step 2: Costs and fees for trademark registration at euipo

The registration fees depend on the number of classes of protection:

Basic fee: EUR 850 – covers one class, regardless of the type of trademark.

Second class: Additional EUR 50.

Each additional class (starting from the third): EUR 150 per class.

For instance, registering a trademark under three classes incurs a total fee of EUR 1,050.

Step 3: Submitting the application to EUIPO

EUIPO offers a completely online procedure, free of excessive bureaucracy. Upon submission, you will receive a filing number, enabling you to track the application's progress in real time via the trademark registry. Any objections or refusals will reflect immediately in the registry, allowing you to monitor the legal status of your trademark.

Step 4: Examination process

Once submitted, EUIPO examines whether the trademark complies with the legal requirements for registration. The substantive examination typically takes one to two weeks and includes a detailed review to determine whether the trademark is distinctive, non-descriptive for the specified goods or services, not misleading, not contrary to public policy or morality, and does not contain official emblems, flags, or symbols. If your trademark passes this stage, it advances toward registration.

Step 5: Publication and opposition period (3 months)

Following approval, the application enters a three-month opposition period. During this time, third parties may file oppositions if they believe your trademark infringes their rights. If no oppositions are filed, the process moves forward.

Step 6: Issuance of the Registration Certificate

If no oppositions arise or if they are resolved in your favor, EUIPO issues the electronic registration certificate. This document legally confirms your exclusive rights to use the trademark and enforce its protection against unauthorized third-party use.

Total duration of the process

The entire EUIPO trademark registration process typically takes approximately four months, depending on case complexity and potential oppositions. Although patience is required, your trademark is provisionally protected from the filing date. This provisional protection allows you to take legal action if necessary, reinforcing your rights until the official certificate is granted.

Final Thoughts

Registering a trademark with EUIPO is an essential measure in protecting your business. By carefully following the outlined steps and ensuring thorough preparation, you can navigate the process efficiently. Conducting a preliminary verification and accurately defining the scope of protection through the Nice Classification is highly recommended. A registered trademark can become one of the most valuable assets of your business.