23rd March 2016 Changes to European Trade Marks
A Community trade mark (known as the “CTM”) provides protection across the European Union. It is an extremely cost-effective means of securing protection for brands across Europe.
On 23rd March 2016 various EU reforms will take place. A few of the changes are as follows:
- The CTM will be renamed as the European Union trademark (“EUTM”);
- The registry which is responsible for administering the trademark applications will also change its name from the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Despite what the name might suggest, the registry will not be responsible for all types of intellectual property and will continue to only administer the trademark and design system in Europe;
- The application fees to file a CTM will also change. At present, the official fee for filing a CTM is €900 which includes three classes of goods or services. Under the new system, the structure will be changed so that the fees will be payable on a per class basis as follows;
- €850 for 1 class;
- €900 for 2 classes; and
- €1,050 for 3 classes.
These changes are part of wider amendments to the EU trademark system which will take place over the next three years.
Pippa Aitken is Head of IP at Sintons and a specialist in all matters regarding brand protection. To speak to her, contact Pippa on pippa.aitken@sintons.co.uk or 0191 226 7842
