Trademark Registration

Trademark Protection Across the EU

Securing your trademark through EUIPO protects your brand and gives you exclusive rights across all 27 EU member states from a single registration. Our team at Brealant guides you through every step of a seamless, unitary IP registration process.

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Essential Guide to Trademarks in European Union

Protecting Your Brand with Brealant's Expertise

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Legal Definition of an EU Trademark
An EU trademark (EUTM) registration is a legally recognised sign that identifies and distinguishes an organisation's goods or services, valid with unitary effect across every EU member state.
Purpose and Function of an EU Trademark
Under EU Trade Mark Regulation 2017/1001, an EUTM safeguards your brand's identity and reputation with one registration covering the whole Union. Registering gives your business proprietary rights to use, license, or sell your mark across all member states at once.
Protecting Your Trademark
A registered EUTM covers distinctive elements like words, logos, sounds, and colours. Partnering with EU trademark experts helps maintain your brand integrity and prevent imitation across the entire bloc.

A Hassle-Free Registration Journey with Brealant

Contact
Reach out to Brealant, your trusted EU trademark representative, to discuss your trademark needs.
Search
Request a FREE trademark search across the EUIPO register to gauge your brand's uniqueness.
Quote
Receive a service quote tailored to your filing requirements.
Pay
Proceed with secure payment for the selected services.
File
Brealant submits your EUTM application to EUIPO.
Wait
Await EUIPO's response; response times vary. Check our country page for time estimates, or contact us for case-specific guidance.
Response
Receive EUIPO's decision, which may include your official EU-wide registration certificate.

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Clear, Simple Steps to Secure Your EU Trademark

In the European Union, a trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing goods or services, registered with unitary effect under EU Trade Mark Regulation 2017/1001. A registered EUTM grants you exclusive rights across all EU member states from a single filing, letting you prevent others from using confusingly similar marks anywhere in the Union.

Safeguarding Your Trademark in European Union — With Brealant by Your Side

EU trademark registration offers significant efficiency: one filing, one fee structure, and one set of proceedings secures exclusive rights across all member states simultaneously, instead of filing separately in each country. This legal protection prevents competitors from using or imitating the trademark anywhere in the EU, helping build consumer trust and recognition across the bloc.

Limitations

What Cannot Be Trademarked in the EU

Certain elements cannot be trademarked under EU law, including

Generic Terms
Common words or phrases that describe the product (e.g., 'bread' for a bakery).
Descriptive Words
Words that simply describe characteristics, quality, or geographical origin of goods.
Offensive or Scandalous Material
Marks that contain offensive language or imagery.
Misleading Terms
Words that could mislead consumers about the nature or quality of the goods or services.
Shapes Dictated by Function
Shapes resulting solely from the nature of the goods or necessary to obtain a technical result.

EUIPO examiners assess every application to ensure these non-registrable elements are not part of the proposed trademark.

What a Trademark Protects

A registered EUTM protects various elements that identify and differentiate a brand, across every member state. The protection extends to

Words
Unique brand names, slogans, and taglines.
Logos
Distinctive graphical elements representing the brand.
Colours
Unique colour combinations closely associated with the brand.
Non-Traditional Marks
Sounds, motion, and other non-traditional signs capable of representation on the register.

By partnering with IP experts across the EU, you can ensure your brand is safeguarded from infringement and prevent customer confusion in any member state.

Timeline for Trademark Registration in the European Union

The registration process for an EU trademark typically involves

Filing & Formalities Check
Once filed with EUIPO, the application undergoes a formalities check, usually within a few weeks.
Absolute Grounds Examination
EUIPO examines the mark only for absolute grounds, such as descriptiveness — not for conflicts with earlier marks, which is left to third-party opposition.
Publication and Opposition Period
If accepted, the mark is published for a 3-month opposition period during which earlier rights holders may object.
Registration
If no opposition is filed, or any opposition is resolved in your favour, the EUTM is registered with effect across all EU member states.

On average, an uncontested EU trademark application can register in around 4 to 6 months, though this extends if objections or opposition arise.

Understanding Trademark Costs the in European Union — Simplified with Brealant

The cost of EU trademark registration varies depending on the number of classes (categories of goods or services) covered

Official Filing Fees
EUIPO's basic online filing fee is typically around €850 for one class, with additional fees for a second class and further classes beyond that.
Professional fees
When using an EU trademark representative like Brealant, there may be additional fees for assistance with the search, application, and examination stages.

These costs represent a valuable investment in securing exclusive rights across all 27 EU member states from a single registration.

Brealant support specialist providing continued trademark support

Continued Trademark Protection Across the EU European Union — Supported by Brealant

Once registered, an EUTM can be actively monitored and enforced across every member state to ensure others aren't using similar marks that may confuse customers. Businesses often partner with IP professionals to monitor potential infringements, maintain renewal timelines, and manage licensing arrangements, strengthening their market position across the whole Union.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does an EU trademark cover?

An EU trademark (EUTM) is a single registration with unitary effect, giving you exclusive rights to your mark across all EU member states at once.

What is the difference between an EU trademark and a national trademark?

An EUTM covers the whole EU from one registration and one set of fees, while a national trademark only protects you in that individual country.

How long is an EU trademark valid?

A registered EUTM is valid for 10 years from the filing date, with the option to renew indefinitely in further 10-year terms.

What can't be trademarked in the EU?

EU trademark law dictates that generic, purely descriptive, offensive, or misleading terms, and shapes dictated by function, cannot be trademarked.

How much does it cost to renew an EU trademark?

The renewal fee is typically in the region of €850 for one class if renewed online, with additional fees for further classes.

Who is eligible to apply for an EU trademark?

Any natural person or legal entity, regardless of nationality or where they're based, can apply for an EUTM directly with EUIPO.

Do I need a legal representative to file if I'm outside the EU?

Yes — applicants without a domicile, principal place of business, or real establishment in the European Economic Area must appoint a professional representative to act before EUIPO.

What documents do I need to file an EU trademark application?

A clear representation of the mark and a classified list of goods/services are the core requirements; supporting documents such as priority claims are only needed in specific circumstances.

Can I use my EU trademark as the basis for filing internationally?

Yes — an EUTM application or registration can serve as the basic mark for an International Registration under the Madrid System, letting you extend protection to other Madrid members.

What happens if EUIPO objects to my application or a third party opposes it?

You'll receive an office action or notice of opposition with a deadline to respond; Brealant handles these separately as part of our office action and opposition services.