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   Need more information NOW?   Call Tony Baker at +1.416.500.7287.
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN EUROPE

IP protection worldwide consists of mish-mash of approaches with different countries, different regions of the world and various international bodies.  This can be confusing and expensive to navigate.

An effort is being made in Europe, by no means complete, to harmonize the various areas of intellectual property.  The agency driving this effort is The Office of Harmonization for the Internal Market (OHIM).

EUROPEAN IP TYPES

Intellectual property types that receive protection in Europe include the following categories.  We have grouped them loosely, with their varieties and responsible agency or governing treaty:

Copyright: copyright, economic rights, moral rights, databases, Berne Convention

Trade Marks: trademarks and designs, registered, unregistered

Patents: full patents, utility model (UM), European Patent Office (EPO), national patents

Unitary Patent:  Agreement in 2012 by 25 EU member countries (excepting Italy and Spain) for Unitary Patent Protection.  Will make it possible to obtain a European patent providing protection across 25 member states, reducing cost and increasing convenience.  Hoped for date for implementation: 2015.

Unregistered Intellectual and Industrial Protection: trade secrets, know how, confidential information, confidentiality agreements.

Geographical Indications: protection of names that relate to the geographical area of production of a product rather than the name or trademark of the producer company.

To learn more, please call 416-500-7287 or click here to reach us by email.

 

European IP

HOW WE CAN HELP

Through our licensed Canadian and European associates, we can provide:

  • Advice on the correct requirements for registration of brands and trademarks
  • Trademark creation process, guidance and advice
  • Worldwide specialist logo, slogan and company name searches
  • Trademark registrations in all countries
  • Design and logo registrations.

To learn more, please call 416-500-7287 or click here to reach us by email.


For an outline of the following topics, please click below:

Background on the EU
EU Product Regulations
European Customs Clearance
Do we need an EU-based Economic Operator?
European Distribution
European Research
Setting up for Business in the EU
IP Protection in Europe
Do our Products Require CE Marking?
"REACH" Regulations for Chemicals

 

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