There are three ways to obtain an Italian registered trademark: first, apply directly to UIBM to register an Italian trademark; second, apply to the European Union to register an EU trademark, and the EU trademark is valid in Italy; third, apply for Madrid international trademark registration, designating Italy as the effective country . In Italy, all signs (words, patterns, shapes, colors, sounds) that can be represented graphically and meet the requirements of novelty, distinctiveness and legality can be registered as Italian trademarks.
1. Trademark authority:
- Italian Patent and Trademark Office
- English: Italian Patent and Trade Mark Office, abbreviation: UIBM
- Website: Home (mise.gov.it)
- Trademark Search: DTPI-UIBM - Research
2. How to apply for trademark registration:
- Paper submission; electronic submission
3. Trademark registration application language:
- Italian
4. Documents required for trademark registration application:
- Applicant information (name, address and nationality)
- List of goods or services
- Trademark pattern
- Proof of payment of trademark application fee
- The priority document and its Italian translation can be submitted within 6 months from the filing date.
- The power of attorney can be submitted within 2 months from the date of application.
5. Italian trademark registration application process:
- UBIM does not conduct trademark searches and does not actively review whether the trademark applied for registration infringes upon the prior rights of others, but will review the application materials to ensure that other registration conditions are met (Articles 148, 156, 170 of the Industrial Property Code) strip). After UBIM submits review opinions, the applicant should respond within the specified time and make corresponding modifications and supplements, otherwise the application will be rejected. If the application is rejected, the applicant can appeal to the review committee within UBIM. If there are no problems in the UBIM review, it will be disclosed in the Patent Gazette. After the application is made public and goes through the objection procedure and submission of opinions procedure, if UBIM confirms that there are no problems, a registration certificate will be issued to the applicant and the registration will be made public. The registered trademark will be effective retroactively to the date of application.
6. Trademark cancellation
- If a trademark has not been used for five years after registration, the trademark registration in Italy can be canceled on the grounds of non-use at the request of a third party.
7. Trademark objections
- The trademark application will be published in the form of an announcement on the official website of the Italian Patent and Trademark Office, and the trademark opposition period is three months after publication.
8. Authorization, validity period and trademark renewal
- An Italian trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed unlimited times. Applications for trademark renewal need to be submitted one year before the trademark expires or six months after the expiration. A signed power of attorney is required.
9. Average time for trademark authorization
- If the trademark registration goes smoothly, the average time from application to trademark registration in Italy is 6 months.
10. Madrid registration
- The time limit of 3 months from the date of the provisional refusal issued by the Office must be observed in order to respond to the provisional refusal of the international registration in Italy. There is no option to extend the 3-month period. The reply language is Italian. For applicants who do not reside within the EU or European Economic Area, it is necessary to submit responses through a local representative. Additionally, after submitting a response, it is possible to request a revision or appeal the office's decision.
