The European Union Intellectual Property Office, known as EUIPO, is the entity responsible for managing the registration of trademarks within the European Union. Its headquarters are located in Alicante, where all procedures related to the European unitary trade mark are managed.
What is the European Union Intellectual Property Office?
The EUIPO is responsible for registering trademarks in the European Union. This office is the point of reference for all procedures related to the protection of trademarks and where the industrial property titles covering these trademarks are held.
It is important to note that with the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, the term ‘Community trade mark’ is no longer used, but rather ‘European Union trade mark’ or ‘unitary trade mark’. This regulation provides, in Article 2(2), that all references in EU law to the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market shall be construed as references to the EUIPO.
When the Community Trade Mark Regulation was adopted in 1993, the Member States agreed that the seat of the Office would be in Spain, Alicante being the city designated by the Spanish government.
Objectives of the EUIPO
The main objective of the EUIPO is to strengthen the importance of intellectual property both at European and international level. Through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, it generates relevant information for both official bodies and citizens.
Since its creation, its mission has been the management of the Community trade mark, today known as the European Union trade mark (EUTM). The EUIPO not only supports the EU internal market, but has also established itself as a major player in the protection of innovation and creativity at a global level.
Functions of the EUIPO
The EUIPO is responsible for managing trade mark and design rights within the European Union. These rights complement national IP systems, and are also connected to international systems. The Office processes trade mark and design applications, and promotes the harmonisation of practices between IP offices in different EU countries through its EU Intellectual Property Network.
This network facilitates the exchange of expertise and ensures interoperability between systems and procedures at European level, through the implementation of common tools, databases and digital platforms.
In addition, outside Europe, EUIPO implements EU-funded projects to strengthen intellectual property protection worldwide, in collaboration with international partners.
This publication does not constitute legal advice.
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