Community Trade Marks  – more attractive than ever following a dramatic 40% reduction in official fees!

OHIM (The Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office of The European Union) has announced that as of 1^st May 2009 it will be reducing official fees by some 40%. This good news also means a change in the administration of the Community Trade Mark (CTM) system. A summary of the changes is as follows:-

• The official application fees for a CTM application in up to 3 classes of goods/services will rise to 900 Euros from 750 Euros;  
• However the registration fee of 850 Euros will no longer be payable, with the result that official fees for a 3 class application will be reduced from 1600 Euros to 900 Euros; 
• Fees for additional classes (i.e. beyond three) remain unaffected at 150 Euros per class; and 
• Note, no registration fees will be payable for any pending CTM application which, by 30^th April 2009, has not been issued with a request to pay the registration fee.

The dramatic reduction in the overall cost of a CTM application provides an opportunity which trade mark owners should grasp to protect their brand names at reduced cost. Additionally, if you wish to take advantage of the 150 Euro saving you should file your CTM applications before the end of April. 

Should you wish to discuss any of the changes further and/or take advantage of the reduced fees, please contact us via your regular patent or trade mark contact at Mathys & Squire LLP or at tm@mathys-squire.com.

For further information please see the OHIM press release and the OHIM website.