Why in the modern world we need to have a registered trademark?
Have you heard about developed and stolen brands? A company invest in marketing, advertising, brand development, but they haven't reserved the trademark… A fraudster understands, registers it and files a lawsuit against the real owner.
If you haven't heard such first-person stories, we are, so we chose to insure ourselves.
How to register a trade mark in EU?
Although many companies use legal services, we as a startup with limited budget, tried it ourselves. Turned out to be not that difficult. After a short study we skipped the Bulgarian Patent Office and looked for an option for registration valid throughout the European Union - European Union Intellectual Property Office - EUIPO.
Main steps to follow:
1. Create an account in EUIPO.
2. Become familiar with the Nice classification of goods. You must select at least two classes of the classification to match the products to be sold under the trademark. The classes are well described on EUIPO website and Wikipedia. Regarding the Vienna classification , related to the figurative part of the mark, you don’t need to fill anything.
3. Check here via TMview whether the name is unoccupied. Search only in the certain classes from Nice classification you have chosen. When you're done checking for availability, start filling out the form in your account.
4. The classes of goods and services for which the mark will be used must be indicated in the application form. I advise you to choose a maximum of three classes, two of which have an optimal price. Because if you do not use your brand in the class in which you registered it, after 5 years another company has the right to appeal and take it from you, even though you have paid for 10 years rights over it. One class is included in the price of 850 euro, the second is 50 euro and each subsequent 150. See the current prices here.
Tip:
Use the live chat for questions regarding the registration.
5. After choosing in which classes we will register the trademark, we must make a list of goods and services. The list can contain over 100 items or in other words as much as you wrote. For Bulgarian speakers - we used the ready-made lists on the website of the Bulgarian Patent Office as a hint. There is a list template you can download from User Area. The document must be in one of the official languages in the EU.
Tip:
Use the tool for automatic translation of the form in your User Area.
6. Of course you need a logo. Ned made ours. If you don't have a graphic designer on hand or you don't have a budget for a professional, there are configurators on the Internet where you can make a decent logo for 20-30 euro, such as Wix and ZenBusiness. Mind that when you pay for 10 years ownership is better to invest in designer who could make a great logo for your brand.
7. Once you have completed the previous steps, you can submit your project form.
The six-month procedure begins after you submit the form and pay the fee. If you have checked well whether such a trademark is not currently used, then you do not need to worry about the appeal period. According to the EUIPO rules, the trademark is yours from the moment of registration, so you can set up a notification if someone tries to register a similar one and file a complaint.
Tip:
Use the option pay with card.
You can track the progress of the procedure in your account and on the sixth month you will receive a certificate.
I wish your brand a lot of success! And here is ours:
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