Brand Advisory
Analysis of your brand and recommendations on the right format
Phase: Specialised Services
.mdTrademark Registration
A registered EU trademark protects your business identity across all 27 member states - with just one application. We guide you through the entire EUIPO process, from strategic planning to final registration and beyond. — EU-wide protection · EUIPO Specialists · 4–6 months
Your contacts
Horst Wickinghoff
Senior New Business Manager
Claude Mifsud Wismayer
Head of Client Relations
Dr. Kelly Mamo
Attorney & Junior Partner
Trademark Registration – What you need to know
Doing business internationally requires more than just a good name. Without a registered trademark, competitors can use your brand, register confusingly similar signs, or push you out of certain markets. The damage usually isn't caused by active theft, but simply by a lack of protection.
An EU trademark with the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) provides legal protection in all EU member states - with a single application, one fee, and one registration. This is far more efficient than 27 individual national applications and creates a solid foundation for licensing, franchising, and enforcing your rights against infringement.
The process itself is formally demanding: correct classification under the Nice system, precise application drafting, monitoring opposition periods, and communicating with the authority in Alicante. Errors in the application cost time, money, and in the worst case, the protection itself. We handle the entire procedure so you can focus on your business.
- Companies with pan-European sales or an international client base wanting consistent brand protection
- Founders with a Malta company integrating trademark protection into their corporate structure from day one
- Start-ups and scale-ups with growing brand presence looking to prevent copycats early on
- Firms with multiple brand forms - word marks, figurative marks, or combinations - needing a coordinated filing strategy
- Businesses wanting to secure their existing brand in the EU or expand from a national registration
- Clients who prefer professional support for classification and filing over attempting a DIY application
Strategic Brand Advisory: Analysis of your brand concept, review of existing registrations, and recommendations on the right format - word mark, figurative mark, shape mark, or combination.
Trademark Search and Conflict Check: Searching EUIPO databases for identical and confusingly similar signs to identify opposition risks before filing.
Nice Classification: Assigning your goods and services to the correct classes of the Nice system. Precise classification defines the scope of your trademark protection.
Complete Application Filing: Preparing and submitting the EUIPO application on your behalf, including all necessary forms, documentation, and fee handling.
Liaison with the EUIPO: Direct coordination with the office in Alicante regarding queries, objections, and formal requirements. You don't have to deal with the authorities yourself.
Opposition and Deadline Management: Monitoring the three-month publication period, handling potential third-party oppositions, and responding to objections on time.
Registration and Certificate: Support through to final registration, delivery of the trademark certificate, and documentation of all relevant deadlines.
Renewal and Ongoing Monitoring: Managing ten-year renewal deadlines and continuously monitoring your trademark rights for potential infringement by third parties.
- Direct experience with EUIPO procedures - We know the formal requirements, typical pitfalls, and the workflow at the European trademark office from daily practice.
- Trademark law as part of the bigger picture - When you form a company with us, trademark protection isn't an afterthought but an integrated building block of your Malta structure.
- Careful preparation instead of hasty filing - Conflict checks and classification before filing significantly reduce the risk of oppositions and rejections.
- Full English-language support - For international clients who want advice on EU procedures in their preferred language without relying on external translators.
- One point of contact for the whole process - From initial advice to renewal after ten years. No bouncing between lawyers, agencies, and clerks.
Do I need an EU trademark or is a national one enough?
That depends on your business scope. If you operate or plan to operate in more than one EU country, the EUIPO trademark is generally the more cost-effective solution. For purely domestic business, a national application might suffice. We advise you on which option makes sense for your situation.
How long does trademark registration take?
Usually four to six months - provided there are no objections or oppositions. If oppositions occur, the process can take longer. We keep you updated at every step.
Can I register multiple trademark forms simultaneously?
Yes. Word marks, figurative marks, shape marks, or combination marks can be registered in parallel or sequentially. We recommend a coordinated strategy that covers your actual protection needs.
What happens if someone opposes my trademark?
We handle the defence in opposition proceedings. This includes examining the grounds for opposition, drafting a statement, and communicating with the EUIPO. In many cases, an opposition can be refuted or resolved by adjusting the classification.
How much does an EU trademark application cost?
The basic EUIPO fee for one class is 850 Euro. Each additional class costs extra. Our advisory and processing fees are separate. You will receive a transparent cost breakdown for your specific case during the initial consultation.
Do I have to actively use my trademark after registration?
Yes. An EU trademark can be revoked upon request after five years of non-use. We inform you about usage requirements and help with documentation if your usage is ever challenged.
Looking to protect your brand in the EU?
Secure your intellectual property with a registered EU trademark. We handle the entire process from search to certification.
EU-wide protectionStrategic advisoryDirect EUIPO handling
Trademark Registration – Our capabilities
Conflict Check
Searching for confusingly similar signs before filing
Nice Classification
Categorising your goods and services into the correct classes
Application Filing
Complete EUIPO application submitted on your behalf
Opposition Management
Monitoring the opposition phase and defending your application
EUIPO Liaison
Direct coordination with the authority in Alicante
Document Management
Secure handling of all files and certificates
Trademark Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of your rights and renewal deadlines
Trademark Registration – How it works
Initial Consultation
Analysis of your trademark requirements, review of existing rights, and determining the optimal approach.
Search and Classification
Conflict check in EUIPO databases and assignment of your goods and services according to the Nice system.
Application Filing
Preparation and submission of the complete trademark application to the EUIPO, including fee handling.
Examination Phase
Guiding the formal examination by the EUIPO. Responding to objections and queries from the authority.
Publication and Opposition
Monitoring the three-month opposition period. In case of oppositions: review, statement, and defence.
Registration and Follow-up
Final registration of your trademark, delivery of the certificate, and setup of ongoing deadline monitoring.
Trademark Registration – Your contacts
Client Voices
What trust looks like in practice.
Communication
Markus SchirpTranslatedDirector Schirp DSO
Articles on Trademark Registration
All articles
Firm NewsRead more
4 min read
Iran Conflict: How Safe Are Dubai and Cyprus for Expats?
The recent escalation between Iran, Israel, and the US has raised serious security concerns for expats in Dubai and Cyprus. We look at the facts and explain why Malta remains a secure alternative.
Susan Meier
Tax PlanningRead more
11 min read
Working in Malta – How much income tax do I have to pay in 2024?
When thinking about relocating to another country and taking up a job there, one question that people will usually ask is how much the income tax and other deductions from the salary are, and how much the cost of living is. Malta offers an interesting taxation on income tax, and especially high earners can benefit […]
Susan Meier
Life in MaltaRead more
12 min read
Cyprus vs. Malta: Key Differences for Relocation & Business
Considering relocating your life or business to Cyprus or Malta? This article provides essential insights into living and working in these two Mediterranean island nations. Both attract millions of tourists with their beautiful weather and sea, and offer tax advantages for expats.
Susan Meier
