The Community trade mark gives its proprietor a uniform right applicable in all Member States of the European Union on the strength of a single procedure which simplifies trade mark policies at European level.

a) Taxes for a European trademark are now 900 euros for 3 classes of products and services.

The Community trademark is unitary in nature , i.e. it is valid everywhere in the European Community, and gives proprietors exclusive rights enabling them to prohibit any third parties from using the sign in their commercial or industrial activities.

A Community trademark (CTM) may consist of any signs capable of being represented graphically, particularly words, including personal names, designs, letters, numerals, the shape of goods or of their packaging, provided that such signs are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings.

The main legal provisions regarding the Community trademark are contained in three Community regulations, namely:

• Council Regulation No 207/2009 of 26.02.2009 usually referred to as `the basic Regulation' or the `CTMR';
• Commission Regulation No 2868/95 of 13.12.1995 implementing Regulation 40/94, usually referred to as the `Implementing Regulation' or the `IR';
• Commission Regulation No 2869/95 of 13.12.1995 on the fees payable to the Office, usually referred to as the `Fees Regulation' or the `FR'.

b) Formalities and management

The unitary nature of the Community trade mark, which covers all the countries of the European Union, means that formalities and management can be kept simple:

● a single application;
● a single language of procedure;
● a single administrative centre;
● a single file to be managed.

It is a simple procedure and applications may be made both at national industrial property offices or directly to the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market in Alicante.