Strasbourg, 26/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - New rules for European trademarks, as MEPs decide to update the directive on trademark protection, which dates back more than 20 years. On Tuesday 24 February, they adopted a report in this connection by Cecilia Wikström (ALDE, Sweden) by 551 votes to 83 and 17 abstentions, which also covers the fight against counterfeit goods.
The rapporteur argues that the new modernisation “will improve cooperation between national trademark offices and the European trademark office in Alicante, Spain. It will help to oil the wheels”. The MEPs say that customs offices should be given greater powers to seize counterfeit goods and clamp down on counterfeiting in general. The rules simplify matters for trademark owners and managers, leading to faster processing times, clear rules that cover new technology, and flexible options for companies wanting to expand their business, says the rapporteur. Negotiations will begin with the EU Council of Ministers after the European elections. (MD)