Filing a trademark application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) offers a significant strategic advantage: unitary protection of the trademark across all 27 Member States of the European Union. The procedure begins with filing the application, which must include a precise description of the goods and services pursuant to the Nice Classification. Our trademark attorneys ensure the proper drafting of the application, aligning the scope of protection with the applicant’s commercial objectives and ensuring legal coherence throughout.
Subsequent to filing, EUIPO conducts a formal and substantive examination, limited to verifying compliance with procedural requirements and the absence of absolute grounds for refusal—such as lack of distinctiveness or deceptive character. Unlike some national offices, EUIPO does not perform ex officio prior rights searches; however, the application is published to allow third-party oppositions. During this stage, our attorneys provide active legal representation, preparing reasoned observations and defending the application against oppositions lodged by holders of earlier rights.
In the absence of oppositions—or upon their successful resolution—EUIPO proceeds to register the trademark and issue the certificate of registration. The resulting trademark confers exclusive and uniform rights enforceable throughout the entire EU, without the need for additional national filings. By managing each procedural step with precision and tailoring the strategy to the specificities of EU law, our team ensures a secure and effective trademark registration within the European Single Market.
