Europe's Community Trademark offers the advantage of uniform protection in all countries of the European Union on the strength of a single registration procedure. This is in contrast to a National Trademark, which offers protection limited to the market of one single country. The European Union Community Trademark has protection for the entire market within the 27 country European Union. The original European Union Community Trademark countries included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom. On May 1, 2004, the following new European countries were added to the list: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. On January 3, 2007 two new European countries were added, Bulgaria and Romania.

Difference Between a U.S. Trademark and a Community Trademark

It is important to remember that in almost every country (other than the U.S.) trademark ownership is based entirely on who registered the mark first, not on who first used the trademark (as is the case in the U.S.). This means that anyone can get a registration on your trademark in another country without having used it first. This presents a serious problem for trademarks that appear to be headed for international use as in the case of businesses on the Internet that are, if effect, selling to a global market.

Community Trademark Registration

The Community Trademark covers a market of more than 350 million consumers who enjoy some of the highest living standards in the world. It is the ideal instrument to meet the challenges of the Internet. The headquarters for registration of the Community Trademark is located in Alicante, Spain. Because of the complexities of handling a Community Trademark, our legal associate firm (also located in Alicante) will help submit your Community Trademark application. This type of trademark registration should be considered by all serious businesses expanding into the global marketplace.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has developed new domain name dispute guidelines to protect the rights of trademark owners using the Internet. The applicant for a domain name is required to provide accurate contact information, including name, address, and phone number, to enable a trademark owner to contact this person in the case of a domain name dispute. In addition, the applicant must submit to the jurisdiction of a particular court in a dispute. Basically, if a trademark owner wants a domain name to match the trademark, the non-trademark party can lose the domain name. If a company using a trademark "XYZ" wants an Internet presence and another company has been using the domain name "XYZ.com", the party using "XYZ.com" without trademark protection may lose the domain name.

Community Trademark (CTM) Fees

The Community Trademark (CTM) offers the advantage of uniform protection in all 27 countries of the European Union on the strength of a single registration procedure with the Office for Harmonization (Trademark Office). Trademark Connection, has an associated office located in Alicante, Spain, the headquarters for the European Union Trademark Office. This office has the advantage of being able to physically walk through the trademark applications for approval. Within a period of three months following the publication of a Community Trademark application, third parties may give notice of opposition to registration of the trademark. The opposition procedure between applicant and the opposing parties takes place before an Opposition Division in the Trademark Office of the Office of Harmonization in Alicante, Spain. Trademark Connection's associate will personally attend all hearings.

Trademark Connection will process, file, monitor, and attend hearings following your application through each step of the process. The professional fee for this service is $950.00 for the application (including up to three classes). There is an additional application fee of $1550.00 that must be paid to the Office of Harmonization (European Trademark Office) at the time of the application. After your application has been approved by the European Union Trademark Office ( between nine months and one year), there will be separate certificate issuance and professional fees charged that will keep your EU trademark active and monitored for infringement for a period of ten (10) years.

To order this service for a total application fee of $2,500.00 (USD), fill out the form below and click the "Submit" button. Make sure you include your correct e-mail address in the appropriate box. Trademark Connection will e-mail you a questionnaire and Limited Power of Attorney that is needed for the filing of your application.