At the start of 2016 we highlighted the impending changes to IP law in the European Union (EU) and what to expect over the coming months when the new legislation is introduced. This article focuses on two of the amendments governing the use of a European Union trade mark (EUTM) and how the new laws will affect the use of EUTMs pertaining to company names.

Background

The legislation is an attempt to modernise, clarify and simplify EUTM laws as well as streamline the process for trade mark registration. The amending regulation, Regulation (EU) 2015/2424 (Regulation), entered into force on 23 March 2016 while Directive (EU) 2015/2436 (Directive) repeals the previous Directive 2008/95/EC with effect from 15 January 2019; its provisions largely mirror those of the Regulation. The Regulation directly applies to EUTMs; the Directive instructs member states how to amend their national trade mark rules to keep them aligned.

Use of a trade mark as a trading or company name

Read more: http://www.ilnipinsider.com/2016/05/ip-update-eu-trade-marks/