CTM - EU trademarks
You can apply to register a trademark for the EU in one trademark application.
Such trademarks can cover all the member states of the EU.
CTM - EU trademark registration
Get a registered trademark throughout EU (in one trademark application), at attractive trademark rates. Covering population of 495 million.
EU - registered trademarks - European Union
One registered trademark can cover all the countries in the EU. This is less expensive than getting a registered trademark for each country in separate trademark applications.
EU - Community trademarks registered
When a trademark is registered as a community trade mark (CTM), it is registered such that it covers every member state in the EU (i.e. covering the whole European Union). A trader can apply to register in one application his logo, trademark or brand for the European Union as a whole. A registered community trade mark ("CTM") now covers the 27 member states of the EU, with an aggregate population of 495 million. As trademark agents, we can apply to obtain community trademark registration, on your behalf, for the following:
- For traders and businesses that are seeking to protect their logos throughout the EU,
- For brands, logos and trademarks not registered in the EU,
- For brands, logos and trademarks already registered in Ireland, or UK
- For registration of a trademark in the EU, as a Community Trademark (CTM),
- For businesses making international applications for registering trademarks in other countries based on an Irish application.
The EU has a system for applying to register trademarks, which carry very similar rights to a trademark registered in Ireland or the UK. However, the registered community trademark only needs to be used in one member state of the EU to meet the requirements for validity throughout the EU as a whole, to be a CTM. This extends the reach of trademark territorial protection via community trademark registration.
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There can be pitfalls with names or trademarks
A new name, SOLAS, was proposed to replace the name for Ireland's state training authority, FÁS. However, a similar name is being used by others, and in particular by the Solas Centre in Waterford, by an Irish IT consultancy firm, as well as by a bar and restaurant in Dublin city.
In selecting names for organisations, one objective should be to avoid a likelihood of confusion. For a further example of similar names, visit our page why trademarks matter.
Building reputation in trademarks
Trademarks can be used by organisations to build identity, convey a reputation, and to develop goodwill over time.
A consumer buys your reputation, honesty and integrity in a trademark.
Organisations seek to develop a trademark into something a consumer can trust.
Owning a registered trademark can be core to safeguarding the name. Registered trademarks can be important for position and power in a sector or in relation to certain goods or services. Our customers use registered trademarks to obtain greater security, safety and strength for their logos, names and brands. We assist customers with some of the pitfalls should they arise. See our page trademark agreements.
EU Trademarks Advantages - CTMs - European Trademarks
The main advantages of a registered EU trademark - Community trade mark include the following: -
- One trademark registration covers 27 countries,
- A registered EU trademark or CTM covers almost 500 million people,
- Costs are less than applying to register trademarks in every country in the EU,
- The registered EU trademark can block applications to register national trademarks, whereas national trademarks automatically do not block registration of EU Trademarks (CTMs), unless they monitor CTM's and oppose registration successfully.
- Holders of registered EU trademarks are notified of new CTM applications if there is an application to register a similar trademark for similar goods/services. This does not tend to happen in the case of nationally registered trademarks.
Unitary nature of community trade marks - CTMs
A community trade mark registration or registered CTM has what is known as a unitary character once it is registered. The community trademark registration applies throughout the whole territory of the European Union. One trademark filing has the advantage of lower trademark registration costs, and less administration given that all the member states are included. However, having a unitary character, a registered community trademark requires that a CTM application meets the trademark registration requirements of each member state (which are being harmonised). Furthermore, an application for community trade mark registration must not conflict with any similar or other registered trademarks that exist in any other member state prior to the date of application - if it does it can be revoked or declared an invalid registered Community trademark.
USA business name owners can register a Community trade mark for the EU
Since late 2004, it is now possible to apply to register a trademark in the European Community, following the EU agreement to be a party to the Madrid Protocol. For certain foreign trademark owners, this can have certain attractions. It can be useful to base an international trademark application for registration or an Irish filing (or indeed a CTM application), because you can extend the territories for which you intend to use the trademark (if not at the time of application, then subsequently by designating other additional countries for registration of the trademark) - always assuming the trademark is not registered in the selected territory, prior to the trademark application there. For a list of the countries that are parties to the Madrid Protocol, visit the international trademark registration page.
Registering business names as trademarks must meet legal requirements
If you apply for registration of a trademark in some of the countries separately, they may have particular trademark registration requirements that must be met. For example, some countries may require an address for service, and others may require a declaration of intention to use the trademark. The Community trade mark as a single registration is a cost effective way to cover a very wide territory, and would cost a lot less than separate trademark applications to register trademarks in each of the member states. For our charges for trademark registration costs see our registered trademark costs page.