Definition

EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) is the European agency in charge of registering EU trademarks (EUTM) and Community designs (RCD). Based in Alicante, it replaced the former OHIM in 2016.

What it protects

• European Union trademark (EUTM): uniform protection across the 27 member states via a single filing
• Registered Community design (RCD): protection of aesthetic creations across the EU
• Geographical indications (shared competence)

Advantages of the EUTM

• One procedure, one examination, one registration number
• Cost-effective compared to country-by-country filings
• Automatic protection extended to new member states
• 27 countries covered for around EUR 850 (1 class)

Watch points

The EUTM follows an all-or-nothing principle: if it is refused in a single country (absolute grounds or opposition), the whole mark falls. A fallback strategy toward national filings can then be triggered.