What are Trademarks?
Trademarks protect names, logos and other signs that identify your brand. Trademark protection gives you exclusive rights to use registered signs for specific goods and services.
Knowledge hub
Understand what you protect - and how.
A name, logo, product or invention can represent different kinds of intellectual property. Understanding the difference makes it easier to know what protection you need.
What are Design rights?
Design rights protect how a product looks. Design protection can cover the visual appearance of a product, including its shape, patterns and other distinctive design elements.
What are Patents?
Patents protect technical inventions. Patents protect new technical solutions and work differently from trademarks and design rights.
The trademark process
From search to protected trademark
1
Search
Check existing trademarks and identify potential conflicts before filing.
2
File
Choose the goods and services you want to protect and submit your application.
3
Examination
The trademark office reviews the application and checks that it meets the requirements for registration.
4
Opposition
The application is published, giving existing rights holders an opportunity to object.
5
Protection
Once registered, your trademark is protected - but monitoring and renewals continue throughout its lifetime.
Articles
A trademark is any sign that distinguishes your goods or services from those of other businesses. It is the legal foundation of your brand.
Intellectual property protection comes in several forms. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right tool.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office manages EU trademarks and designs - covering all 27 member states in a single registration.
Registering a trademark follows a structured process. Understanding each stage helps you set the right expectations and avoid delays.
Registration timelines vary by office and complexity. A straightforward EU trademark typically takes 4 to 6 months from filing to registration.
There are two separate reasons a trademark application can fail. Either the name is not something any single business is allowed to monopolise, or it collides with a trademark that already exists. The two are assessed at different stages, and they need different fixes.
Trademarks are registered for specific goods and services, organised into 45 classes under the Nice Agreement - a global system used by over 150 countries.
A structured overview of all 45 trademark classes, grouped by goods and services.
Registration is not the end of the process - it is the beginning. Monitoring ensures your mark is not diluted or infringed without your knowledge.
If a newly published trademark conflicts with yours, you can challenge it during the opposition period. Here is how the process works.
Registered trademarks must be renewed every 10 years. Failure to renew results in expiry and loss of protection.
A registered trademark can be cancelled if it has not been genuinely used for 5 consecutive years. Here is what you need to know.
