The European route

If you want trade mark protection in countries which are members of the European Union (EU), you can apply for a Community Trade Mark (CTM) through the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM), based in Alicante, Spain.

Your application will cover the following countries

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Filing your European application

You can file your application for a CTM:

• at the UK Office

• direct with OHIM in Alicanté, Spain

• online at the OHIM website

If you choose to file through the UK Office there is a handling fee (payable to the Intellectual Property Office) of £15 (pounds sterling). The fee should be sent accompanied by our fee sheet FS3.

The rest of the application fees are payable in Euros and they should be paid direct to OHIM. A list of current fees  can be found by going to the OHIM website.

If you have an application or registration going through the Community Trade Mark Office (OHIM) you can use that as a basis for an International mark, but the application for that mark must then be made through the Community Office.

More information about community trade marks can be found on the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market