EUTM

by Julie Schmitt | Jun 24, 2026 | Trade marks

EUIPO | European Union | Trade mark filing

What is a European Trade Mark (EUTM) ?

EUTMs (or European Union trade marks) are registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante.

A EUTM — like any other national mark— is what enables a consumer to identify goods / services as coming from one particular company. That’s why it is so important to consider when you create your business or launch a new product/service.

Where is a EUTM valid ?

A EUTM is a single right which provides protection in the entire EU (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden). National trade marks can be registered in each EU Member State but EUTMs are recommended when your business is active in more than one EU country or there is an intention to do so in the near future.

What can be filed as a European Trade Mark (EUTM) ?

A sign which can be used to identify the origin of goods / services. That sign can be a word, a logo, a combination of figurative elements and words, a shape, a colour, a sound, a movement, a hologram… They key point is that both the sign and that the goods / services you want to protect are clearly defined. The legal conditions are the same for all types of trade marks but there is specific case law and EUIPO practice for each of them. We can help with that.

How to file a European Trade Mark (EUTM) ?

Once you have your sign, we need to agree on a list of goods / services you’d like to get protection for. We also need to check that no other business owns or uses any trade marks for the same or similar goods / services . Once we’ve done that we can apply for a EUTM electronically. The EUIPO will then start the examination of your trade mark application.