Global Trademark GO - France——Introduction to French Trademark Application

Registered trademarks in France can be divided into general trademarks, collective trademarks and certification marks. You can apply for a trademark in France with words, slogans, numbers, logos, pictures, advertisements or short videos. There are three ways to obtain a registered trademark valid in France: first, apply directly to INPI for a registered trademark; second, apply to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to register an EU trademark; third, through the Madrid System for International Trademark Registration, designate France or The European Union is the effective region. According to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, if a second application for registration of the same trademark is filed with INPI within 6 months after the first application for trademark registration in China, the applicant can enjoy priority.

1. Trademark authority:

• French National Institute of Industrial Property
• English: L'Institut national de la propriété industrielle, abbreviation: INPI
• Website: INPI.fr | Welcome to the House of Innovators
• Trademark search: Brand, company and domain name availability, in France | INPI.fr

2. How to apply for trademark registration:

• electronic submission

3. Trademark registration application language:

• French

4. Documents required for trademark registration application:

• Applicant information
• Trademark pattern
• List of goods and services
• Priority information, if any 60
• Payment documents or receipts
• The priority document and its French translation can be submitted within 3 months from the filing date.
• power of attorney

5. French trademark registration application process:

• A formal examination of the trademark is required, and the distinctiveness of the trademark is examined in a substantive examination. Does not include prior searches for trademarks.
• If the requirements are met, the trademark will be registered and published in the trademark journal (Markenblatt).

6. Trademark cancellation

• If a trademark has not been used for five consecutive years after registration, a third party can apply to the French Intellectual Property Office for cancellation.

7. Trademark objections

• The opposition period for French trademark applications is 2 months from the date of publication.

8. Authorization, validity period and trademark renewal

• France does not charge official fees for trademark authorization. The validity period of a trademark is 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed for 10 years each time with no limit on the number of times. Fees can still be paid and renewals requested during the 6-month grace period, additional fees will apply.

9. Average time for trademark authorization

• The average time from application to trademark registration in France is 4-6 months.

10. Madrid registration

• The reply to the provisional refusal of the French international registration can be submitted within one month from the date the applicant receives the notification of refusal, and can be extended. It is not necessary to provide evidence of date of receipt. The reply language is French. Applicants who do not reside in the EU, EEA or Switzerland need to appoint a local representative.

11. Other matters needing attention:

• French trademark registration extends to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion and French Guiana, Wallis and Futuna, the French Antarctic Islands and the French Antarctic Territory, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and New Caledonia and territories.