Trade Mark Law in Ireland

Under Irish law, certain words, logos and designs can be registered as trade marks to protect their usage. Registration lasts indefinitely, as long as the individual or company that owns the trade mark renews the registration every ten years. Otherwise, it’ll expire and the exclusive IP rights associated with the mark will be lost.

Registering provides considerable benefits to the ownership. Firstly, it prevents others from using, or registering, similar marks for similar products or services (all products and services are categorised into different “classes”). A trade mark owner can launch infringement proceedings against those using similar trade marks.

Second, a registered trade mark can be licensed by the owners (the “licensor”) to third parties (the “licensee”), providing an alternative means of monetising a brand or logo.

And finally, registered trade marks are critical assets, given the goodwill and reputation attached to an individual or company’s brand. Therefore, trade marks can hold a substantial amount of intangible value, which is highly beneficial if you’re looking to sell your company or gain investment.

Not everything can be registered as a trade mark though. Generally it’s restricted to words, logos, colours, designs and shapes that help distinguish the provider of a good or service from another in the same category.

What we can do?

Trade Mark Application in Ireland

If you want to register a trade mark in Ireland, you’ll need to file an application with the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI). If you want broader trade mark protection, you may want to register with the IP office in the European Union (EUIPO) and other jurisdictions, too.

Either way, first, you’ll need to check no one else has registered similar marks already. We can help you complete a search of the register and provide advice on what to do if there is a competing mark. If there are no issues, we can guide you through the trade mark application process.

Trade Mark Opposition in Ireland

After you’ve submitted an application and it’s accepted by the IPOI, it’ll then be published in a public journal. Other parties then have three months to file an opposition to your registration, if they believe the mark infringes upon their own mark.

If your application is opposed, we can communicate with the opposing party and try to find a way of resolving the issue without heading to official proceedings.

Or, if you feel a recent application infringes your intellectual property rights and you wish to submit a trade mark opposition, we’ll review your case and advise on the best course of action.

Trade Mark Infringement in Ireland

If you find evidence of unauthorised use of your mark or a similar mark by another party, we can help you launch a trade mark infringement claim and win appropriate compensation.

After all, given all the effort you put into building your brand and building up a positive reputation, it’s vital you enforce your rights and protect the brand.

Alternatively, perhaps you’ve received a cease and desist letter for trade mark infringement, and you need legal support. Our trade mark lawyers have helped thousands of individuals and companies successfully defend against claims.

Trade Mark Searching & Watching

Before submitting a trade mark application, it’s important to check what’s already registered. We can carry out detailed clearance searches both in Ireland and overseas with subsequent advice on any potential blocking marks.

Once your application has been registered, we can set up a “watching” service. This will automatically notify us of similar pending applications, allowing you to oppose similar trade marks before they reach the registration stage.

 

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“Good experience working with Briffa on an IP issue. Initial conference to discuss strategy was exceptional and thereafter work was completed in a timely, diligent and effective manner. Invoicing was also always transparent, appropriate and fair.”

– David F.

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Why choose us?

Briffa is a leading law firm that specialises in intellectual property. We’re recognised by industry bodies like the Legal500 for the quality and output of our work.

We’re not your typical, traditional law firm. We match our deep understanding of IP law with a creative, commercially aware and customer-focused approach, meaning we’ll figure out a course of action that meets your goals – even if it requires an alternative, out-of-the-box solution.

And, we work with a wide range of clients – from individual artists, musicians, and writers, to startups, SMEs and global brands. There’s no case too big or too small, so get in touch today to organise a free consultation with one of our copyright lawyers in Ireland.

Since 1995, we’ve established ourselves as experts in trade mark law, delivering practical solutions for contentious and non-contentious matters.

We have offices in the Republic of Ireland and the UK, plus a global network of associates and industry contacts.

We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your needs before any fixed-fee quotes are given.

We provide an industry-leading service with short turnaround times and commercial advice.

Where are we based?

Our office is in the centre of Cork, Ireland. Meetings are available by appointment.

Address

Briffa
Waterfront Square
1 Horgan’s Quay
Cork
T23 PPT8

Contact Details

Phone: +353 (021) 237 9722
Email: info@briffa.com

Opening Hours

Monday: 9am–5:30pm
Tuesday: 9am–5:30pm
Wednesday: 9am–5:30pm
Thursday: 9am–5:30pm
Friday: 9am–5:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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Key contact

Mark Eiffe leads our Irish operations. With a background working as in-house legal counsel for multinationals operating in Ireland, Mark can provide tailored, sensible advice on legal issues relating to trademark applications and infringements, passing off disputes, and licensing.

Find out more about Mark below, or follow the link to meet the rest of the team.

Book a free consultation

We’ll start with a no-obligation chat where we’ll get to know you and understand your current challenges.

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