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On March 23, 2016 a new regulation issued by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (“EU IPO”, formerly the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market) came into effect. Among the changes mandated by the EU IPO are modifications to fees charged for classes of EU trade marks, new rules regarding infringement by company names, and a new protocol for search report requests. Additionally, the EU IPO now requires a precise specification of goods and/or services to be covered by a trade mark registration as defined in the “Class Heading”, rather than the previously-allowed broader specifications; this may retroactively affect your current trade marks. If so, you have until September 23, 2016 to amend your current “Class Heading” to ensure continued protection for your trade mark. Further changes to the EU Trade Mark laws are expected in September 2017.
Other changes mandated by the EU IPO may also impact your current trade marks, and if you are contemplating seeking EU protection for your trade mark you will have to comply with the new regulations. Consult an attorney at an Ally Law member firm to assure compliance with your EU trade marks. Ally Law member firms have attorneys around the globe who can assure protection for your intellectual property in any country in which you do business or sell products, and will coordinate your intellectual property efforts to be effective and cost-sensitive. For more information about our services in this area, contact us at yourally@ally-law.com.
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By Edwin Coe LLP.
