Intellectual Property Law · European Union
Protect Your Brand Across Europe With the Right Lawyer
A brand is more than a logo — it is your name, your reputation and the goodwill you have spent years building. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted intellectual property lawyer who handles trademark registration, monitoring and enforcement in your target European markets every day.
- Trademarks, trade names & domain disputes
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
If your name and reputation are your business, your brand needs legal protection
Brand protection is the legal work of securing and defending the distinctive elements — name, logo, slogan, trade dress and domain — that customers use to recognise your business. Whether you are a founder preparing to launch, an established company expanding into a new European market, or a brand owner facing unauthorised use of your mark, the rules differ from one country to the next. Some rights are created automatically through use, while others only exist once you register them with a national or EU-wide office. Without a clear strategy you risk losing your name to a competitor, paying to rebrand later, or discovering your mark is already taken. We match you with an intellectual property lawyer who can map the risks, secure the right registrations and act quickly when someone else tries to profit from your hard-won reputation.
Why brands get exposed
Your brand is only as safe as the registrations and monitoring behind it.
Most owners find that out too late.
A name can be copied, registered or diluted in another market before you have even noticed — and untangling it afterwards is costly.
Someone else registered your name first
In many European countries, trademark rights go to whoever files first — a competitor, a squatter or a former partner can register a name you have used for years and leave you fighting to win back the very brand you built.
Counterfeits and lookalikes dilute you
Cheap copies, confusingly similar logos and fake social accounts quietly erode trust and revenue. By the time customers complain, the damage is already done and tracing every seller across borders becomes a full-time job.
No monitoring means slow reactions
Without systematic watching of new applications and online use, an infringing mark can gain years of foothold. Acting early against a fresh filing is far cheaper and faster than opposing an established, grown-up competitor brand.
What you get
A brand protection lawyer who defends what you have built
We only match you with IP lawyers who handle trademark strategy, filing and enforcement regularly across your target markets.
Clearance & risk mapping
Before you invest in a name, your lawyer searches existing rights and tells you honestly whether your brand is free to use, where the conflicts lie, and which markets to enter first or avoid.
Registration strategy
Get a plan for the right marks, classes and territories — national, EU-wide or international — so your name is protected where you actually do business, without paying for coverage you do not need.
Watching & enforcement
Your lawyer monitors new filings and online misuse, then sends the right cease-and-desist letters and oppositions at the right time, so small infringements are stopped before they grow.
Disputes & defence
Facing an opposition, a cancellation action or a claim that you infringe someone else’s mark? Your lawyer builds the evidence, negotiates where possible and represents you before the relevant office or court.
Coverage
Brand protection lawyers across Europe
Trademark rights are territorial, so a registration in one country does not protect you in another — and an EU-wide mark needs its own filing. We match brand owners with IP lawyers in the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Brand protection — common questions
Do I need to register my brand name to protect it?
In many European countries you gain some rights simply by using a mark in commerce, but these are usually limited and harder to enforce. A registered trademark typically gives you stronger, clearer rights across the territory it covers, so registration is generally recommended for any serious brand.
What is the difference between a national and an EU trademark?
A national trademark protects your brand in a single country, while an EU trademark covers all European Union member states through one filing at the EUIPO. The right choice depends on where you actually sell or plan to sell, and a lawyer can advise on the most cost-effective route.
What can be protected as a brand?
Typically a word, logo, slogan or a combination of them can be registered, provided it is distinctive and not descriptive of your goods or services. Sounds, colours and shapes can be protected in some cases, but the requirements are stricter, so it is worth checking with a lawyer first.
What should I do if someone is using my brand without permission?
Act early but carefully. Gather evidence of the unauthorised use, then have a lawyer assess whether it truly infringes your rights before sending any letter. A well-drafted cease-and-desist is often enough, but the wrong approach can backfire or tip off the infringer.
How long does brand registration take?
Timelines vary by country and by the office handling the application, typically ranging from several months to over a year once any oppositions and examinations are complete. A lawyer can give you a realistic estimate for your specific territory and mark.
Can I protect my brand across all of Europe in one go?
Yes, an EU trademark gives you protection across all member states in a single application, though it is a single right — if it is successfully challenged in one country it can affect the whole mark. Your lawyer can help you balance EU-wide coverage against separate national filings.
Free case review
Your brand is too valuable to leave unprotected
Tell us what you have built and where you operate, and we will connect you with an intellectual property lawyer who handles brand protection cases every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.