Trademark registration would be quicker and more efficient for businesses under draft rules informally agreed between MEPs and the Latvian presidency. The rules, aimed to foster economic growth by modernising trademark registration and protection rules, would also help to fight against counterfeit goods in transit.
“Today’s deal will ensure that the trademark registration will be quicker, cheaper and smoother for businesses in future. The new protection rules will also ensure better trademark protection by taking into account new technologies and enable flexible solutions facilitating companies to expand and develop their businesses”, said Cecilia Wikström (ALDE, SE).
More efficient protection; cheaper and quicker registration
While preserving the dual system of national and EU trade mark, the updated trade mark legislation will further harmonise national and European trademark application procedures and the rights guaranteed by a trademark.
The registration would also be on average cheaper, especially for SMEs, as under the new “one-class-per-fee” provision, the EU-level trademark could be registered for only one product class, instead of three classes. MEPs also managed to secure a significant reduction of renewal fees.
Combating counterfeit products
While ensuring that legitimate trade interests are not affected, the provisionally agreed rules will provide better means to fight against counterfeit goods in transit through the territory of the EU. Throughout the negotiations, MEPs stressed the need to ensure smooth transit of generic medicines to developing countries.
“European Union Intellectual Property Office”
The informally agreed text also introduces several improvements to the structure and governance of the EU office responsible for trademarks (OHIM), which will be called “European Union Intellectual Property Office”. MEPs managed to ensure that the Parliament would also have a seat in the management board of the office.
Next steps
The provisional deal, agreed by the negotiators on Tuesday, will still need to be endorsed by the Council and by the Legal Affairs Committee, before being put to a vote by the full house.
European Parliament pressrelease
