Header merken 01

Trademarks

Trademarks are very important in economics. They are indispensible and their use is so self-evident that entrepreneurs sometimes are insufficiently aware of how significant trademarks and proper trademark protection are to their company.

What is a trademark?

Trademarks are signs which are suitable to distinguish goods (products) or services of a company. A trademark can for example be a word, a logo, a color, a sound or a shape.

How do I register a trademark?

A trademark can be registered by filing it at the dedicated official governmental bodies. In the Benelux, the trademark can be filed at the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP). It is also possible to file a trademark abroad.

There are various possibilities when filing trademarks abroad. One may choose for national trademark registrations. Alternatively, there are several international agreements, on the basis of which with one application, registrations can be obtained in multiple countries. Examples thereof are international registrations and European trademark registrations (European Union Trademark or EUTM). A registration via one of these systems is usually more economical than individual national registrations.

A trademark is filed for goods (products) and/or services for which the trademark is used or will be used. The goods and services are classified into 45 different goods (product) and service classifications. The classifications differ depending on the goods (products) and services.

Vriesendorp & Gaade has very experienced trademark attorneys. Please visit the page 'Our people' and select 'Trademark attorneys' to get an overview. Our trademark attorneys have extensive experience in advising clients with respect to the protection of trademarks in the Benelux and abroad, and portfolio management. They handle the entire registration process, from the first consultation up to the registration of the trademark in the Benelux and Europa, and internationally via our excellent network of agents.

Is the trademark still available?

Is the name (or logo) chosen by you still available as as trademark? Before you decide to introduce a new trade name or trademark, it is highly recommended to have us perform a trademark availability search to investigate whether the chosen name or logo is still available for use and/or registration.

A first consultation?

The trademark attorneys of Vriesendorp & Gaade are gladly of service to you to register your trademarks or to perform availability searches in the Benelux, Europe and abroad. We will provide you with a clear and practical advise. We invite you to contact us for a free consultation at your location or at one of our offices.

Which information is required?

During a first consultation, we would like to receive the following information:

  • Which name and/or logo do you wish to register?
  • What is your motivation to register a trademark?
  • For which goods and/or services do you want to register the trademark?
  • Coverage: Where would you like to register your trademark? Where are your most important competitors located and/or where are your most important markets?

When?

The information above forms the basis for the first consultation. Preferably, the information is as complete as possible. During the first consultation, we will normally be able to make a good assessment of the strategy to obtain the trademark rights in the jurisidctions that are relevant to you.

We will also introduce you to the most important aspects of trademark law using clear, practical examples and try to determine a strategy that is suited to your specific situation. You will receive a lot of information, so it is probably best to take a notebook with you, so that you can recollect the information later.

More information?

Do you still have questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

You can also download our trademark brochure for additional information.

pdf icon download our brochure