What are the differences between a national and an international brand registration?
January 3, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Robert Lehmann
Dear lawyer,
I am Fred Lauer and I have a question regarding trademark registration. I am considering registering my trademark internationally, but I am unsure if a national registration is sufficient.
Currently, I have only registered my trademark nationally, and it is being successfully used in Germany. However, I am planning to expand my business internationally in the future and want to ensure that my trademark is protected abroad as well.
My concerns are that a national registration may not be enough to protect my trademark from imitators or trademark infringements in other countries. I have heard that there are differences between national and international trademark registrations, but I am unsure of what exactly these are and what advantages and disadvantages they entail.
Can you please explain to me what the exact differences are between a national and an international trademark registration? What advantages does an international registration offer compared to a national registration? Are there specific countries where an international registration is particularly valuable? And what costs and efforts will be involved if I decide to go for an international trademark registration?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Fred Lauer
Dear Mr. Lauer,
Thank you for your question regarding trademark registration. It is understandable that you are considering whether it is worthwhile to register your brand internationally in order to protect it from imitators or trademark infringements in other countries. I will explain to you the differences between a national and an international trademark registration, as well as the advantages and disadvantages.
A national trademark registration provides protection only in the country where you register the brand. This means that your brand is not automatically protected in other countries. However, if you plan to expand your business internationally, an international trademark registration may be beneficial. With an international registration, you can protect your brand in multiple countries simultaneously by filing an application through the Madrid System or the Madrid Protocol.
The advantages of an international trademark registration include saving time and costs, as you only need to submit one application to protect your brand in multiple countries. Additionally, an international registration simplifies the management of your brand, as you only need to submit one application and have a centralized management. This also makes it easier for you to take action against trademark infringements in different countries.
There are certain countries where an international registration is particularly beneficial, such as countries with high market potential or where trademark piracy is common. It may also be advisable to make an international registration in countries where you are already doing business or plan to do so in the future.
The costs and efforts for an international trademark registration may vary depending on the number of countries where you want to protect your brand. There may be application fees, examination fees, and renewal fees. It is advisable to research the costs and procedures of international trademark registration in advance to avoid unexpected costs.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need professional assistance with international trademark registration, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Robert Lehmann
Trademark Lawyer
