European Community Trademark Office Begins Accepting Applications for a European-wide Trademark Registration

As of January 1, the European Community (EC) has implemented a new trademark registration system that enables trademark owners to acquire a single Community Trade Mark (CTM) registration that is effective and enforceable in the 15 countries of the EC. A CTM registrant will have the exclusive right to use the mark throughout the EC. Although this new system may not be advisable for all trademark owners, it does provide benefits for companies that have a strong presence in Europe.

Applications received at the Community Trademark Office on or before April 1 will receive the first CTM filing date and, therefore, will have priority over all subsequently filed CTM applications, except those claiming priority based on a filing in a Paris Convention country.

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