When should I register my trademark?
Timing is everything, and this is especially true when it comes to trademark registration. Choosing to trademark your brand at the right time is much more important than you would think.
What is better – to have separate national trademark registrations or a single EU registration?
Written by Jan Buza
Co-founder of Trama
When choosing between a national and an EU trademark, the answer depends on multiple factors. The first is the number of member countries you actually wish to cover, which then influences the price. Since the EU trademark is a bit more expensive than one national trademark, you can consider filing a trademark with one of the national IP offices. A national registration might be sufficient if you sell your product or service only in one member country.
However, an EU trademark simplifies the process if you plan to sell your goods and services in multiple member states or all over the EU since you have to file only one application instead of 27. Moreover, it is cheaper than filing individual applications in all member states.
However, please note that registering a trademark in the EU could be more difficult since the EUIPO will notify more trademark owners about your application, and they can then exercise their legal rights to oppose your application.
If an opposition arises, your legal representative should inform you about suggested next steps, success estimation, and price estimate. Sometimes, when an EU trademark application is opposed, the only option is to break the application into separate national applications and file these with the respective national IP offices.
Related questions
What proof of filing do I need to submit to Amazon Brand Registry?
Someone already owns a trademark similar to my brand. What should I do?
Should you file your trademark yourself to save money on attorney fees?
Do I need to prove the usage of my trademark during the validity period?
Should I get a trademark when I start my business, or should I do it later?
Are there any annual fees during the 10-year validity period?
Related articles
Miley Cyrus joins Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, and Paris Hilton onboard the metaverse trademark hype train
Many celebrities, including Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and, most recently, Miley Cyrus, have been showing interest in the metaverse with their newly registered trademarks. Metaverse is said to offer a new way to bring music or products to people who cannot physically attend their stores or concerts or who simply prefer to enjoy them from the comfort of their homes. What is behind this trend and why do celebrities find it so appealing?
Stories of our clients: Scramble
”Imagine what kind of startup performance we would see with founders spending 5% of their time on fundraising instead of 50%?” Scramble, founded by Kamil Kurmakayev, presents an elegant solution for startups’ fundraising needs and it is our pleasure to protect this brand that helps others.
Explore all resources
Haven't found what you are looking for?
Our team of experienced trademark attorneys is here to help you! Simply send us an email outlining your request and we'll be happy to assist you.