Overview
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) was originally established as the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) in 1994 and began operations in 1996. It is headquartered in Alicante, Spain, and oversees the registration and administration of key IP rights in the European Union (EU). The EUIPO provides uniform protection for all its member states through a single registration system, most notably the EU trade mark (EUTM) and the EU design (EUD). Over time, regulations have been updated—most significantly in 2016, when OHIM was renamed as EUIPO and the legal framework was harmonized under Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 for EU trade marks, and in 2022, with the Regulation (EU) 2024/2822 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 on Community designs and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 2246/2002.
Although the EUIPO is central to EU-wide trademarks and designs, patent protection within the European Union is overseen by the European Patent Office (EPO), not the EUIPO. Applicants who need patent protection typically seek a European patent through the EPO or rely on national patent offices.
IP office
EU trade marks provide unified protection in all EU member states via a single registration managed by the EUIPO.
- Renewal Period: Each EU trade mark is valid for 10 years from the date of registration and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year increments.
- Applications: Applicant data, a representation of the trademark, and a listing of goods and services (in single or multiple classes) must be provided.
- Exam: The EUIPO carries out a formal examination;
- Member State Implications: Once registered, the EU trade mark offers the same scope of protection across all EU member states, allowing centralized management of renewals, assignments, and other recordals.
EU designs (EUD) are administered by the EUIPO and protect the appearance or ornamentation of a product throughout the EU.
Procedures: Applicants must submit clear representations of the design, including drawings or photographs, accompanied by necessary details describing its visual features.
Duration: The initial term lasts for 5 years from the filing date, with the option to renew in 5-year increments for up to 25 years total.
Novelty Requirements: RCDs must be new (no identical design previously made available to the public) and have individual character.
Member State Implications: A EU designs is automatically effective across all EU member states, streamlining protection and enforcement by avoiding separate national filings.
This information does not constitute legal advice; it is for informational purposes only.
