Brussels, 24/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 March, the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) became the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Community trademark, the European Union trademark.
A Commission press release alluded to the heated debates that characterised discussions on the subject, particularly on the issue of generic medicines. It also explained that these marks constituted the most significant change in EU trade law ever and followed almost 3 years of discussions between the European Commission, European Parliament and Council (see EUROPE 11454).
These changes are indeed major as registration costs have subsequently been reduced by 37%. This is particularly important for trademarks that require protection for an initial period that can be in excess of 10 years. Registration procedures have been harmonised and rationalised between the different national offices and legal uncertainty has been removed. The fight against contraband has also been stepped up. Finally, the dual system between the national offices at the European office has been upheld and even improved, in an effort to better respond to differentiated demand based on the size of the different enterprises (see EUROPE 11512).
This reform follows the adoption of an important legislative package adopted last December (Directive 2015/2436), which brings member states' legislation closer together, as well as Regulation 2015/2424, which amends and abrogates a range of regulations on the Community Mark and modalities for funding the OHIM. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)