Added bonus? Extension of European Union Trade Marks and Designs in Europe and beyond

European Union trade mark and design registrations granted by the EUIPO provide protection throughout the European Union and extend to all the 27 current Member States of the EU.  The rights are ‘unitary’ meaning they extend automatically to the territory of the European Union, regardless of its composition and a single registration results in the right being valid in all current – and future – EU Member States. By comparison, national trademark registrations are protected only in the countries where they are registered.

To remind you, protection in the European Union Member States covers:

Some European Union countries have historic links with certain overseas countries and territories but the law governing protection of these overseas territories depends on the national laws of the countries with which they have ties. So do EU intellectual property rights extend overseas?

The following overview is a ready reckoner:

It is important to check the status of each overseas territory when you are interested in having IP protection.  We can assist so contact us here.