Misleading Invoice Alert: Fake EUIPO Decisions

Applicants are warned to be especially alert due to a new misleading invoice in circulation, which takes the form of a fake EUIPO decision. The misleading invoice uses the EUIPO’s logo, name, acronym and letterhead, and purports to be a decision signed by the Office. It is mailed to users from Madrid, Spain, and usually includes a demand for a “registration fee” to be transferred to a Polish bank account with a PL IBAN prefix.

Applicants can protect themselves against this, and other misleading invoices, by taking careful note of the following:

The EUIPO never sends invoices or demands for payment of money to applicants. If you receive a demand for money for anything to do with your trade mark by post or email, it does not come from EUIPO. Even if it uses our logo, and appears to be official, it does not come from EUIPO.

All fees payable directly to the EUIPO in relation to EUTMs are laid down in the European Union Trade Mark Regulation (EU) No 2017/1001. Also, be aware that EUIPO uses only two Spanish bank accounts for payments relating to trade mark and design fees. Any invoice which contains a bank account other than those two is fake.

Check everything you receive in relation to your trade mark application or registration very closely. If you have even the slightest doubt, contact your IP Attorney or the EUIPO directly at information@euipo.europa.eu.