Trade marks: Commission proposes easier access and more effective protection

Summary:

The European Commission adopted in March 2013 a legislative package aimed at reforming and modernising the European Union's trade mark system.

Further information:

Trade marks are words, logos, devices or other distinctive features which can be represented graphically. They can consist of, for example, the shape of goods, their packaging, sounds and smells. The objective of the legislative proposals is to foster innovation and economic growth by making trade mark registration system across the EU more accessible and efficient for businesses in terms of lower costs and complexity, increased speed, greater predictability and legal security.

The package of measures adopted by the European Commission on 27 March 2013 includes:

• Recast of Directive approximating the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks
• Revision of Regulation on the Community trade mark
• Revision of Commission Regulation on the fees payable to Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM).

Official

European Commission: MEMO, 27/03/2013: Modernisation of the European Trade Mark System – Frequently Asked Questions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-291_en.htm

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