TRADE MARK SERVICES
Choose protection around the markets in which your business operates. A German registration, an EU trade mark and an international registration serve different territorial needs. There is no single registration granting protection in every country.
How we approach your matter
We review the proposed proprietor, the sign and the goods and services. A clearance search helps identify earlier rights before filing. We then agree the territories, filing route, fees and any local representation.
Practical examples
Preparing a German product launch
Before packaging is printed, identify the intended proprietor, check the proposed name and define the goods to be sold. Agree the German filing scope and costs against the planned launch date.
Expanding into several EU markets
List the EU markets and the products to be offered, then compare EU-wide protection with national alternatives. Review earlier rights before deciding whether a single EU application fits the expansion.
Coordinating an overseas filing plan
Prepare a territory-by-territory filing plan for the export markets. Compare national and Madrid routes, coordinate local representatives and distinguish professional fees from each office’s charges.
What to send us
- The proposed mark or register numbers and proprietor details.
- A description of the goods, services and target markets.
- Relevant correspondence, evidence and deadlines.
Country guide · Trade mark searches · Fees · Contact
Practical legal assessment
Before filing, decide separately who should own the right, which sign is claimed, which goods or services are covered and where protection is needed. Company registration or an available domain does not answer those questions. For founders and corporate groups, settle ownership before submission.
The specification is not an unlimited catalogue of possible activities. It should describe the intended offering clearly and fit the chosen mark. A later expansion of the subject matter cannot simply be made by editing the original application. Sales and product teams should review the specification before approval.
After filing, track the reference, fees, notices and publication. Registration does not eliminate every conflict risk. Watching later filings, renewals and use documentation are separate tasks whose scope should be agreed in the retainer.
Four practical examples
Illustrative scenarios to explain the assessment; these are not reports of client matters.
Founders before incorporation
Two founders commission a logo before their company exists. Agree ownership and any later transfer before filing; the design invoice alone does not settle title.
Products and advice
A manufacturer sells devices and provides training. Review both activities in the specification; filing only for devices does not automatically cover the proposed training service.
Logo changed before launch
The design changes after filing approval. Compare the new version with the sign claimed and decide whether the word and graphic require separate protection.
Overseas expansion later
A business launches in Germany before entering other markets. Record earlier filings, possible priority and target territories at the outset so later expansion is not undermined by missed dates.
What should be settled before submission?
Approve the sign, complete owner details, specification and territory together. Identify unresolved changes to the name or business model. Filing under time pressure does not cure unclear rights to an agency-designed logo.
Preparing the next step
Provide the exact sign, relevant products, target territories and any register numbers. If there is an office notice or dispute, include the complete correspondence and the date of receipt. We identify missing information, agree the scope and clarify fees before taking further steps.
A useful instruction file distinguishes the confirmed facts, missing information and decisions still to be made. Keep dated versions of specifications, sign designs and correspondence so changes can be traced. Agree who approves each step and who monitors the next deadline. Where several companies or advisers are involved, document their respective roles. The resulting plan should connect the legal assessment with the operational changes needed in packaging, contracts, sales channels or register administration.
Discuss your trade mark matter
Tell us about your mark, target markets and any deadline. All fields are optional; please provide an email address or telephone number if you would like a reply. Sending an enquiry does not itself place an order or establish a client relationship.