European Trade Mark Reform Comes Into Force

Important changes to European Union trade mark law take effect

The European Union (EU) recently adopted a package of reforms introducing miscellaneous changes to the EU trade mark law and its Community trade mark system.

Some of these changes begin to come into effect on 23 March 2016.

The reforms are numerous and include:

  • a new designation for the Community trade mark
  • a new name for the European trade mark registry office
  • a new definition of what signs qualify as trade marks
  • new rules on how to specify goods and services in trade mark applications
  • changes relating to enforcement, customs seizures and dispute resolution matters
  • a revised fees structure

This is not an exhaustive list of the changes. If you’d like to know more, read our summary of European trade mark reform – key changes.

Source: nibusinessinfo.co.uk