A trademark is any sign that distinguishes your goods or services from those of other businesses. It is the legal foundation of your brand.
ArticleWhat is the EUIPO?
The European Union Intellectual Property Office manages EU trademarks and designs - covering all 27 member states in a single registration.
A European Union Trade Mark (EUTM) registered at the EUIPO gives you protection across the entire EU with one application, one language, and one fee. It is one of the most cost-effective forms of trademark protection globally.
Scope of protection
An EUTM covers all 27 EU member states simultaneously. You do not need separate national filings. If your mark is refused or challenged in one country, it can affect the whole registration - this is the main trade-off compared to individual national filings.
Fees at EUIPO
The basic application fee for one class is €850. The second class costs €50, and each class from the third onwards costs €150. Patentir charges a €50 service fee on top of the official EUIPO fees.
More articles
Intellectual property protection comes in several forms. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right tool.
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.
