Discover the risks and dangers of failing to register a trademark to understand the value and importance of trademark registration for your brand.
The Risks of Not Registering a Trademark
France Trademark Registration
Protect Your Brand in France Through a Simple Process Backed by Certified Local Attorneys
Simple steps to register your trademark
In France, there are two ways to protect your trademark: register a European Union Trademark, covering all 27 member states, or register directly with the French Trademark Office.
STEP 1
Comprehensive Trademark Study
Before filing your trademark in France, you must evaluate any issues that may arise during the registration process. Our Comprehensive Trademark Study not only lists similar trademarks (graphic and phonetic) that may conflict with yours but also provides you with an Attorney's opinion on the trademark registration possibilities and the class(es) that your goods/services belong to.
- Graphic and phonetic similarity trademark search report
- Trademark attorney's analysis and advice
- Trademark class recommendation
STEP 2
Trademark Application Filing
Specialized attorneys will file your trademark application in France and carry out all the necessary formalities to bring your application for approval and registration. As soon as your trademark is filed, we will send you a filing report that will include the application number and application date. Also, we will send you a scanned copy of the filed application.
- Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
- Filing the Report & a Scanned Copy of the application
- Tracking the Registration Process Online
Additional Services in France
Discover how our services help protect and strengthen your brand in France.
Trademark Search
Check if your trademark is available for registration with our easy-to-use search tool.
Search TrademarkTrademark Renewal
Renew your trademark to maintain uninterrupted protection for your brand.
Renew TrademarkDomain Registration
Safeguard your local domain with ease through our trusted partner, Register.Domains.
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National vs. International Trademark Registration
Discover how national and international trademark registration compare, the pros and cons of each, and which is right for you.
Commonly Asked Questions About Trademark Registration
Learn answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on trademark registrations to improve your trademark knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical duration for trademark registration approval?
Typically, it takes about 4 months to get a trademark registered, as long as there are no objections or challenges.
If I register my trademark in France, will it be protected in other regions or countries?
When you register a trademark in France, it is protected in the following areas: Metropolitan France, Martinique, Corsica, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthelemy, the French part of Saint-Martin, Reunion, French Guiana, New Caledonia, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Wallis and Futuna, Mayotte, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. However, this protection does not cover French Polynesia.
Do I need to authorize someone to act on my behalf with a Power of Attorney?
You do not need to sign a power of attorney.
What is the duration of the opposition period?
The opposition period begins on the date the application is published and lasts for two months from that date.
What are the steps involved in the trademark application process in France after it has been submitted?
The process for a trademark application in France includes the following steps:
What actions are necessary to meet the trademark use requirement?
To meet the use requirement, you must use your trademark at least once every 5 years. This use should be for commercial or sales activities, and the transaction must take place in France.
Does registering a trademark in France grant me any legal rights?
Yes, in France, you must register your trademark to secure your rights. The country follows a first-to-file system.
Do I need to use my trademark before applying for registration?
In this jurisdiction, you don't need to use the trademark or plan to use it before applying for registration.
What rights do you gain by registering a trademark?
Yes. In France, registering a trademark grants the owner several rights:
- The exclusive right to use and benefit from the trademark
- The right to oppose any conflicting trademark applications and request their cancellation
- The right to seek the revocation of any conflicting trademark registrations
- The right to file a lawsuit against anyone using the trademark without permission or using a similar mark that causes confusion
- The right to claim damages for trademark infringement
- The right to license the trademark to other businesses
- The right to request customs authorities to seize counterfeit goods
How long is a registered trademark valid for?
A trademark is valid for 10 years starting from the date you file the application.
Who is eligible to challenge my trademark registration?
The following parties can challenge a trademark registration:
- Owners of a similar trademark that was registered before the current one
- Licensees of the existing registered trademark
- Owners of products that benefit from the trademark's indication of origin
Can you claim the filing date from your home country as the filing date in France?
Yes, you can use the filing date from your home country as the filing date in France if you meet these conditions:
- Your home country is part of the Paris Convention or the World Trade Organization.
- You apply in France within 6 months of your filing date in your home country.
Can a registration be canceled?
Yes, you can cancel a registered mark. Third parties can request cancellation for reasons such as:
- The mark is descriptive, generic, functional, misleading, or not distinctive.
- The mark includes geographical indications or protected symbols like flags, badges, emblems, or coats of arms.
- The mark was applied for or registered with bad intentions.
- The mark is banned in this area, including those that violate moral principles or public order.
- The mark infringes on other rights.
- Failure to meet user requirements under Section VIII.A.
Still have questions?