April 2009
Massive 40% Reduction in the cost of a Community Trade Mark (CTM)
It has been announced that as of 1 May 2009 Community Trade Mark Official Fees are set to fall by a massive 40%. At present if you are applying for a 3 class CTM the official application fee is €750 with a further €850 to pay on registration bringing the total cost to €1,600. However these official fees will now be slashed with just €900 payable on actual filing.
This reduction is aimed at small to medium sized businesses in particular and will make trade mark protection in all 27 states of the European Union (namely Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) more affordable than ever.
There is further good news for those considering filing a CTM now during the “transitional phase”. The provisions state that Community Trade Marks filed between now and the implementation date will be at the current filing fee of €750 with the registration fee being abolished.
So if you are considering filing a CTM application the time to do so is now.
In light of the announcement from OHIM the UKIPO have responded by saying they are considering a reduction of the cost of filing a UK national mark, with some reports suggesting by as much as 15%.
Briffa’s Comment
Given the current economic climate, this is welcoming news for small to medium sized businesses who will be able access cost-effective protection for their all important brands. In our experience clients’ have been put off by the overall cost of obtaining a Community Trade Mark Registration. However now that the gap between the cost of a national UK trade mark and that of a CTM has been cut to just over £600, trade mark protection throughout the EU has never been so affordable.
Briffa will of course be watching how the UKIPO will respond and report any reductions on the cost of a UK Trade Mark.
For further information on this news item, or indeed filing trade marks please contact info@briffa.com.