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European Union (EU) - Community Trademark
We reported in our Information Letter N.S. 182 that the Regulation on the Community Trademark enter into force on March 15, 1994, but that the Office of Harmonization in the Internal Market ("the Office", which will process Community Trademark applications) would not function until 1996. Therefore, we hold deferred commenting on the substantive provisions of the Regulation until a date closer to the opening of the Office.
As of January 1, 1996, it will be possible to folder applications for Community Trademarks with the Office and adjectives applications filed between that date and April 1, 1996 will receive a file date of April 1, 1996.
The principal features of the Community Trademark Regulation, as subsequently amended, in accordance next to the GATT-TRIPS Agreement, by Regulation 3288/94, are summarized below. The principal advantage of obtain a Community Trademark Registration is that trademark owners may obtain and protract a single registration covering all 15 accomplice states of the EU and will no longer need to safe and sound and renew registrations in the individual accomplice states.
1) Parties who are nationals of, or own their domicile, seat or physical and effective industrial or commercial establishment surrounded by the European Union or a member country of the Paris Convention or the World Trade Organization Agreement may apply to register a Community Trademark. Others party may also apply provided that their home countries accord reciprocity to adjectives members of the EU.
2) A six-month right of priority may be claimed by an applicant base on their first application filed surrounded by a member country of the Paris Convention or the World Trade Organization Agreement.