Filing intellectual property in the European Union
A single EUIPO trade mark or registered design gives protection across all 27 EU member states, but opposition is multi-lingual and the classification rules are strict.
- Office
- EUIPO
- Language
- Any EU language (procedural languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Polish)
- Local currency
- EUR
- Opposition
- 3 months from publication
- Term
- 10 years from filing
- Renewal
- Every 10 years; late renewal possible within a 6-month grace period
Fees & timelines by right
| Right | Official fee | Our fee | All-in | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Mark / Brand Name | $920 | $299 | $1,219 | 8–12 months |
| Service Mark | $920 | $299 | $1,219 | 8–12 months |
| Trade Name / Business Name | Not available — EUIPO operates no registry for this right | |||
| Patent | $1,835 | $1,590 | $3,425 | 24–48 months |
| Utility Model / Petty Patent | Not available — EUIPO operates no registry for this right | |||
| Copyright | $0 | $129 | $129 | 1–3 months |
| Industrial Design | $350 | $590 | $940 | 3–6 months |
| Geographical Indication & Collective Marks | $0 | $1,290 | $1,290 | 12–24 months |
| Trade Secret & Confidentiality Programme | $0 | $590 | $590 | 2–4 weeks to implement |
Indicative single-class / single-application rates in USD. Your live quote confirms the exact amount before payment.
Who can file & on what basis
- Direct EUIPO application
- Madrid Protocol designation of the EU
- Priority claim within 6 months of a first filing
Local agent: Not mandatory for filing, but useful for oppositions and hearings. Ascen Mark lists a representative for service.
What we need from you
Requirements
- Applicant name, address and legal entity type
- Goods/services by Nice class, aligned to EUIPO’s harmonised database
- Representation of the mark or design
- Address for service before EUIPO (we provide one)
Documents
- Logo file for figurative marks
- Priority document, if a foreign priority is claimed
- Evidence of acquired distinctiveness for descriptive marks
- Power of attorney for representative, signed electronically
Affidavits, resolutions & authorities
Executed papers this office expects — who signs them, how they must be witnessed, notarised or legalised, and the deadline for lodging them.
Professional representative before the EUIPO
Applicants without a domicile or real commercial establishment in the EEA must be represented; an authorisation may be requested by the office.
- Execution:
- Signed by the applicant (scan accepted)
- When:
- From filing
- Applies to:
- All IP types
Signed authorisation (on request) & entitlement documents
Individual or general authorisation for the representative; seniority/priority claims need certified copies of the earlier national rights.
- Execution:
- Signed by the applicant (scan accepted)
- When:
- On request from the office
- Applies to:
- All IP types
Design views and deferment request
Up to 7 views per design; publication may be deferred for 30 months by request at filing.
- Execution:
- Signed by the applicant (scan accepted)
- When:
- At filing
- Applies to:
- Industrial Design
Formality requirements change and are applied at each registry's discretion. This checklist is preparation guidance, not legal advice — your appointed local agent confirms the final list before filing.
How the filing runs
- 1
Clearance
EUIPO eSearch plus national TMview checks across all 27 member states.
- 2
Filing
Online application; official fee depends on the number of classes.
- 3
Examination
Formality and absolute grounds review; adverse reports must be answered within the deadline.
- 4
Publication
Published for opposition for 3 months; any EU member-state mark can be cited.
- 5
Registration
Certificate issues; renewal and use monitoring apply across all member states.
Use, renewal & status tracking
Use requirement
A EUIPO mark can be revoked for genuine non-use in the EU during 5 continuous years after registration.
Registry status sync
Live — EUIPO data feeds status, opposition and renewal deadlines into the filing timeline automatically.
Common pitfalls
- An EU application can be opposed by any earlier national mark in the EU
- Overbroad specifications are rejected or narrowed by the examiner
- Non-use revocation is available across the whole EU or in specific territories
Ready to file in European Union?
Run a free name check first, or start a filing with a fixed quote.
This guide is general information about European Union procedure, not legal advice. Official source: https://euipo.europa.eu