For brands expanding — or planning to expand — into the European market, the European Union Trade Mark (EUTM) is a highly efficient route to protection. A single application secures protection in every EU member state. This article covers the EUTM system.
What Is an EU Trademark (EUTM)?
An EUTM is a system run by EUIPO (the European Union Intellectual Property Office) that provides protection valid across every EU member state through a single application. Compared with filing separately in each country, it offers substantial savings in time and cost.
The Advantages of an EUTM
- One application, the whole EU: Protection across dozens of countries in a single procedure.
- One renewal: Protection is managed and renewed from a single point.
- Cost efficiency: An economical way to reach many countries.
Points to Watch
An EUTM operates on an "all or nothing" logic: a serious opposition in even one member state can affect the entire EU registration. Your mark is also expected to be distinctive across the EU as a whole. A comprehensive pre-filing search therefore matters.
EUTM or Madrid?
If you are targeting only the EU market, an EUTM is generally the most efficient route. If your target extends beyond the EU (the UK, the US, the GCC, for example), a strategy covering multiple countries through the Madrid Protocol may be more suitable. The right route depends on your target markets.
Protection in Europe with Webx
Webx builds the strategy best suited to your goals across EUTM and other international systems and manages the process. To complete your Turkish registration first, see this guide. Contact us for European planning.