The European Union trade mark: A practical guide

The European Union Trade Mark (EUTM) system allows brand owners to protect and enforce a trade mark in every EU Member State through just one registration. EUTMs were previously known as Community Trade Marks and this unique trade mark registration system revolutionised the way brands are protected in the EU.

2016 saw substantial changes to the EUTM system, not least the change of name. This practical guide describes how the EUTM system works following those changes, including: what can be protected; how registrations are obtained and maintained; the many potential obstacles to registration and how to overcome them; and the rights given by a registration. In addition it explains the specific and peculiar features of the EUTM system, such as seniority and conversion, and covers the link between EUTMs and the Madrid Protocol.

For full details, including a free sample chapter, go to http://www.globelawandbusiness.com/books/the-european-union-trademark.

Originally published in BrandWrites 8th Edition, May 2017. Co-authored by Patricia Collis.