Trademark Registration in France

As France is the top choice for investors and entrepreneurs looking to launch a business, the process of forming a company there is comparatively simple when compared to other EU nations. Additionally, the French government provides a variety of perks and incentives to help businesses start in France grow by protecting their intellectual property.

In order to distinguish your brand name, logo, or design from your competitor's, you should register your trademark. This gives you the legal right to sue your competitor if they use your mark or logo. France has one of the best infrastructures and qualified labor, which directly lowers the cost of producing goods and makes it one of the friendliest places to start a business. The process of registering a trademark is also known as registering a logo, design, or brand.

Therefore, register your trademark in France more quickly and easily with the help of Trademarkcart's legal counselor.

What does French Trademark Registration Entail?

A trademark is a sign or symbol used to differentiate the goods or services of one company from those of another, and trademark registration in France is the process of gaining legal protection for a trademark. French design registration can be accomplished by the filing of an EU trademark with the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI), and it will be revoked against third parties if it is not used within five years of the registration. In Canada, a design registration is valid for ten years and may be renewed at any time.

It is required to register a trademark through an agent, a licensed French trademark attorney, for applicants who do not reside in France, the EU, or the EEA (European Economic Area).

Documents Needed for French Trademark Registration

• Clear trademark representation is necessary for French trademark registration.

• A list of products and services categorized using the Nice System.

• A representative files a power of attorney for application.

• The applicant's priority document asserts priority based on an earlier application.

• For applicants who do not reside in France, the EU, or the EEA (European Economic Area), trademark registration can be obtained through an agent who is a registered French trademark attorney.

Procedure for Trademark Registration in France

• The first and most important step in registering a trademark in France is to choose a distinctive name for your brand. You can do this by exploring internet databases like French Trademarks, EU Trademarks, International Trademarks, or TMView.

• The next step is to fill out an online trademark application form on the French National Institute of Industrial Property's (INPI) website. You must have a list of the classes of goods or services for which you want to register a trademark in Canada along with the necessary paperwork that will be submitted for validation in order to register a logo in France.

• The following step is to pay the registration cost, which in France is €190 for one class and €40 for each subsequent class.

• The trademark registration application form and supporting documents are then sent to the French trademark authority for verification and review. A trademark may also be obtained by registering a trademark with the European Union, which typically takes 4-6 months.

• The authorities will provide a certificate once the trademark registration procedure is complete. This certificate is valid for 10 years from the application filing date, after which it may be renewed for an additional 10-year period indefinitely by registering a design in France.

• It's also vital to be aware that a trademark can be revoked by a third party upon submission of a request to the French IP Institute if it hasn't been utilized for five years following registration.

Benefits of Trademark Registration in France

• Exclusive use of the Trademark

  In France, a trademark owner has the sole right to use the mark in connection with the products or services for which it has been registered.

• Protection from Infringement

  Registration of a trademark or design in France offers owners the legal ability to sue anyone who uses it without their consent and acts as a disincentive to others from using a similar mark.

• Increased Brand Awareness

  A trademark or logo registration in France can help a firm gain a competitive edge by differentiating its goods or services from those of its competitors. It also serves as a valuable commercial asset that can be licensed or sold.

• International Protection

  Martinique, Réunion, Wallis and Futuna, French Antarctic territories, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte, New Caledonia, and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and many more are all covered by French trademark registration. Register your trademark now to take advantage of these advantages and launch your business in nearly every region of France.

What Steps are Involved in Renewing a Trademark in France?

A trademark may be renewed indefinitely within 6 months of its expiration date; however, no application will be considered before this date. During this time, any renewal will be subject to a surcharge of 125 euros. After its expiration date, a trademark may no longer be renewed. A trademark in France is registered for a period of 10 years, and its validity expires after the last day of the month. An INPI notification is sent to the owner 6 months prior to the end of the period of validity.

Even though it is not founded in France or another member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, the trademark owner will still be required to comply. As a result, it's critical to maintain track of trademark renewal dates as the deadline draws near. The mark may be canceled if the renewal requirements are not met. Alternatively, you may hire a trademark cart legal adviser who can provide you with the necessary guidance & support for the renewal.

Check trademark registration in more countries

• Trademark Registration in Germany.
• Trademark Registration in United Kingdom.