Trademark registration in the European Union

Abstract

Keywords: trademark, EU Regulation, EU trademark, European Union, Europeansystem of trademark protection
 The developmentof economic integration of European countries has created the need to create asingle system of legal protection of trademarks, as it should contribute to the formationof a common market, the conditions of which are the possibility of competitionand free movement of goods and services in European countries. One of the legal instrumentsto meet these conditions is the trademark, which must be used in the EuropeanUnion. The creation of a common economic space in Europe has contradicted thenational laws of each of the member states of the European Union. Therefore, there isa need to create a single European system of trademark protection.According to the EU Regulation, one of the main functions of an EU trademark isto guarantee the origin of goods and services sold or provided to consumers under thattrademark. The EU trademark is unitary. As it is registered for all member states ofthe European Union through a single procedure, it acquires rights only if it is acceptedin all member states of the European Union. An EU trademark is acquired onlythrough registration, not use.
 The EU regulation provides for the free movement of goods and services betweenmember states. Accordingly, the owner of an EU trademark cannot object to the use ofsuch a registered trademark in the European Union. Moreover, the EU regulation definesnot only the registration criteria, but also the examination procedure, includingthe possibility of objections to registration made by third parties, and the procedurefor filing claims for infringement of trademark rights.Either party may appeal the decision on the objection to the Board of Appeal ofthe European Union Intellectual Property Office. Thereafter, any issue can be appealedto the Court of Justice of the European Union, which can only annul orchange the decision.Once the EU trademark application has been published, the pre-emption holderhas three months to file an objection. Obtaining an EU trademark is essential for asuccessful brand protection strategy. Since its inception, the EU trademark systemhas become one of the most important tools available to both legal entities and individualswho want to effectively protect their trademark rights in Europe.