Intellectual Property Law · European Union
Register Your Trademark Before Someone Else Does
A name you have traded under for years can be refused, opposed or simply claimed by someone else if you never registered it. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted trademark lawyer who handles searches, filings and opposition across Europe every day — so your brand is protected where it actually sells.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Trademark specialists across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Your name is a business asset — only registration makes it one
Trademark registration is the process of turning the name, logo or slogan your customers recognise into a legally enforceable right. It gives you the exclusive ability to use that sign for your goods or services in a defined territory, and the power to stop others from using a confusingly similar one. The process involves searching existing marks to avoid conflict, choosing the correct classes of goods and services, filing an application with the relevant office — national, EU-wide or international — and responding to any objections or oppositions that arise along the way. The rules on what can be registered, and what will be refused as descriptive or too similar to an earlier mark, vary by jurisdiction and are easy to get wrong without guidance. Filing early, in the right places, is often the difference between owning your brand and losing it.
Why applications fail
A strong brand is worthless
if the trademark is refused or taken first
Registration is a legal minefield of classes, territories and earlier rights — and the cost of getting it wrong is permanent.
Refused as too descriptive
Names that simply describe what you sell are commonly refused across Europe. Many applicants file a brand they love, only to learn it cannot be registered at all and needs a rethink.
Conflict with an earlier mark
A search skipped to save time can land you in an opposition, or a cease-and-desist, from a business you never knew existed — sometimes years after you built the name.
Wrong classes or territory
Filing in the wrong Nice classes, or only in your home country while you sell across Europe, leaves the door open for competitors to register your own name in the markets that matter.
What you get
A trademark registered right the first time
We match you with trademark specialists who handle searches, filings and oppositions for brands of every size.
Clearance search
Before you spend a penny on filing, your lawyer searches the registers and market for conflicting marks and tells you honestly whether your name is registrable — and how to fix it if it isn’t.
Correct classification
Your goods and services are mapped to the right Nice classes and descriptions, so your protection actually covers what you sell and is not rejected for sloppy wording.
Filing handled end-to-end
From the application through examination to the registration certificate, your lawyer manages every office communication and deadline, in whichever territory or territories you ultimately choose.
Opposition & office actions
If the office objects or a third party opposes, your lawyer responds with the right arguments and evidence, or negotiates a resolution that keeps your brand moving forward.
Coverage
Trademark registration across Europe
Trademarks are territorial, so the right lawyer is one who works with the registry systems that cover your markets — national offices, the EU-wide EUIPO, or the international Madrid system. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Trademark registration — common questions
Why do I need to register my trademark?
Registration gives you the exclusive right to use your name or logo for your goods and services in a defined territory, and a clear basis to stop others using a confusingly similar sign. Without it, you generally rely on weaker, harder-to-prove rights that vary by country.
What can be registered as a trademark?
Typically a distinctive word, logo, slogan or a combination of these, provided it is not descriptive of the goods, deceptive, or too similar to an earlier mark. The exact criteria vary by jurisdiction, and some signs are refused outright — a lawyer can assess your specific mark.
How long does a trademark last?
A registered trademark is usually renewable indefinitely, typically in ten-year periods, as long as renewal fees are paid and the mark remains in genuine use. If a mark is not used for a set period, it can become vulnerable to cancellation in many countries.
What are Nice classes?
The Nice Classification groups all goods and services into numbered classes, and your application must specify the ones your business actually operates in. Filing in the wrong or too few classes can leave parts of your business unprotected or trigger objections.
What is the difference between a national, EU and international trademark?
A national mark protects you in one country, an EU trade mark (EUTM) can cover all member states through one application, and the Madrid system lets you extend protection to many countries internationally. The right choice depends on where you trade and your budget.
What happens if my trademark application is opposed?
An opposition means a third party with an earlier right is formally challenging your application. There are strict deadlines to respond, and the outcome depends on the similarity of the marks and goods. A trademark lawyer can defend your position or negotiate a practical settlement.
Free case review
Register your brand before someone else claims it
Tell us about your name or logo and we’ll connect you with a trademark lawyer who handles searches, filings and oppositions across Europe every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.