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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.
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.
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Contact
Reach out to Brealant, your trusted EU trademark representative, to discuss your trademark needs.
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Search
Request a FREE trademark search across the EUIPO register to gauge your brand's uniqueness.
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Quote
Receive a service quote tailored to your filing requirements.
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Pay
Proceed with secure payment for the selected services.
File
Brealant submits your EUTM application to EUIPO.
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Wait
Await EUIPO's response; response times vary. Check our country page for time estimates, or contact us for case-specific guidance.
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Response
Receive EUIPO's decision, which may include your official EU-wide registration certificate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The registration process for an EU trademark typically involves
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Filing & Formalities Check
Once filed with EUIPO, the application undergoes a formalities check, usually within a few weeks.
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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.
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Publication and Opposition Period
If accepted, the mark is published for a 3-month opposition period during which earlier rights holders may object.
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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.
The cost of EU trademark registration varies depending on the number of classes (categories of goods or services) covered
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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.
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.
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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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.
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.
A registered EUTM is valid for 10 years from the filing date, with the option to renew indefinitely in further 10-year terms.
EU trademark law dictates that generic, purely descriptive, offensive, or misleading terms, and shapes dictated by function, cannot be trademarked.
The renewal fee is typically in the region of €850 for one class if renewed online, with additional fees for further classes.
Any natural person or legal entity, regardless of nationality or where they're based, can apply for an EUTM directly with EUIPO.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover more insights and stay informed about the latest in intellectual property with Brealant's blog. From expert advice on trademark registration and patent protection to strategies for safeguarding your brand in a competitive market, our resources are here to empower your business. .
Explore our blog to learn how effective IP management can strengthen your brand's position and protect your innovations
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