Treaties and international protection

Paris Convention and priority right

After a first filing in a member country, you have 6 months to file in other member countries while claiming the date of the first filing. A third party filing the same mark in the meantime does not take away your rank.

Key conditions: same owner, same sign, goods and services covered by the first filing, claim made when filing the new application.

Madrid System

Based on a basic mark (application or registration at an office of origin), an international application filed through that office lets you designate several member countries. Each designated country examines it and may refuse protection in its territory.

For 5 years, the international mark depends on the basic mark: if the latter falls, the designations fall too (with the option of transformation into national filings).

Nice Agreement

It establishes the international classification of goods and services in 45 classes, used by the offices offered here. See the guide “Choosing goods, services and classes”.

European texts

The European Union trade mark is governed by Regulation (EU) 2017/1001, directly applicable in all Member States. National marks of Member States are harmonised by Directive (EU) 2015/2436, transposed into each national law (in France, into the Intellectual Property Code).