Trademark Registration in France

How to get a trademark in France?

To register a trademark in France, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Conduct a trademark search in France to ensure that the mark you wish to register is available and not already in use by someone else. Our study is 
2. We will prepare the necessary documents, including a representation of the mark, a list of the goods and services for which the mark will be used, and any other required information. 
3. Our attorney will file the application with the French Intellectual Property Office (INPI).
4. We will pay the required government fee for the application. It is included in our price.
5. Wait for the application to be examined and approved by the INPI. We will inform you of this.
6. Once your trademark is approved, it will be published in the Official Gazette.
7. After the publication, any interested party has a 2 months period to file an opposition.
8. Once the opposition period is over, or if no opposition is filed, your trademark will be registered and a certificate of registration will be issued.
9. A trademark registration is valid for 10 years in France starting from the filing date.

Note that the INPI recommend that you use a trademark attorney or agent to help you through the process. Bonamark.com provides attorney services in France.

Trademark Search in France

There are several ways to conduct a trademark search in France:

1. Online Search: You can search for existing trademarks using the online database of the French Intellectual Property Office (INPI). This database is called "Marques de l'INPI" and is available on the INPI website. You can search for trademarks by category, owner, or class.

2. Manual Search: You can also conduct a manual search at the INPI's Public Search Room. You will need to make an appointment in advance and bring any necessary identification. That's very old-school, thumbs up for anyone using this option.

3. Professional Search: Another way to conduct a trademark search in France is to hire Bonamark, a professional search firm, to perform the search on your behalf. We have access to more specialized databases and can provide you with a detailed report of the search results.

When conducting a trademark search, it is important to search for similar marks that are already registered or pending registration in the same class of goods or services as the mark you wish to register. The search should also be done in the different forms, logo, stylized and non-stylized versions of the mark.

Our prices include everything for a straightforward process of registration. The prices do not include legal defense in case of oppositions or objections.

What is France trademark database?

The French trademark database is a collection of information on all trademarks registered with the French Intellectual Property Office (INPI). It is known as the "Marques de l'INPI" and is available online on the INPI website. The database contains information on all trademarks registered in France, including the mark itself, the owner of the mark, the goods and services for which the mark is registered, the date of registration, and any other relevant information. The French trademark database can be searched by mark, owner, or class. It's accessible to the public, and it can be used to conduct a trademark search to check the availability of a mark before filing an application for registration.

Users can search for trademarks by keywords, classes, owner name, and other criteria. The search results will provide basic information on the mark, such as the registration number, the owner's name, and the goods/services for which the mark is registered.

Does France recognize EUIPO trademarks?

France recognizes trademarks registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). A EU trademark registration provides protection for the entire European Union (EU), including France. It means that a trademark registration with the EUIPO is valid in all EU member states, including France, with just one registration and one set of fees. This means that an EU trademark registration can prevent third parties from using your trademark on their goods or services in all EU member states, including France.

In addition to EU trademark registration, it is also possible to register a trademark in France through the national French Intellectual Property Office (INPI).

What are trademarks requirements in France?

1. The mark must be distinctive: The mark must be capable of distinguishing the goods or services of the applicant from those of other traders. It should not be descriptive or generic.
2. The mark must not be deceptive or contrary to public policy or morality: The mark must not be misleading or offensive and should not be in violation of any laws or regulations.
3. The mark must not be identical or similar to existing trademarks: A trademark search must be conducted before filing the application to ensure that the mark is available and not already in use by someone else.
4. The mark must be represented graphically: The mark should be represented in a clear and precise manner, so that it can be reproduced in the register.
5. The list of goods and services must be specified: The applicant must indicate the classes of goods and services for which the mark will be used.
6. The mark must be filed by the right person: The application must be filed by the person or company who owns the mark or by an authorized representative.
7. The application fee must be paid: The applicant must pay the required fee for the application.
8. The application must be filed in French: The application and all the related documents must be filed in French.

Note that it is recommended that you use a trademark attorney provided by Bonamark to help you through the process and ensure that all the requirements are met.

Cost to Register

The cost to file a trademark application in France depends on several factors, such as the number of classes of goods and services for which the mark will be registered, the number of marks included in the application, the number of representation of the mark, and whether the application is filed electronically or on paper.

The government fees for filing a trademark application in France are as follow:

1. A basic fee of €180 for 1 to 3 classes of goods and services
2. An additional fee of €50 for each additional class of goods and services beyond the third.
3. A discount of 50% for French natural person, non-profit organizations and small and medium-sized French enterprises.

The fees are included in our listed fee. 

We offer the following services in France:

• Trademark Search
• Trademark Registration
• Trademark renewal
• Trademark oppositions
• Defenses in case of oppositions or objections/office actions in France
• Trademark assignment
• Change of name/Change of Address

If you are interested in any of these services, please do not hesitate to contact us.

🇫🇷Trademark Renewals in France

A trademark is renewable for a period of 10 years and valid from the filing date.

• A mark can be renewed within 12 months before the expiration of the current trademark registration.
• To renew a trademark in France we will require no additional documents. The process can be completed online, you can just provide us with the documents required.
• The renewal process in France takes approximately 1 week, and a Renewal Certificate is issued.

Trademark renewal in France price

The price is 699$ for one class. The government fee is included in the price. 

The procedure's duration is 6 months. It is possible to renew trademarks that, in the opinion of the French Intellectual Property Office, are “used effectively”. The renewal is really 10 years. 

Official fees to renew a mark: €290 in one class, €40 per extra class. A legal fee is paid additionally to the official fee.

Trademark renewal process

Please contact us using the following form in order to request a trademark renewal in France. The process is rather simple, our attorney will become your representative and will pay the renewal fee. 

What if the deadline is missed?

After the expiration date a grace period of 6 months is provided to the registrant to renew the trademark paying an extra fee. The grace period fee is €145 (a government fee only).

After the end of the grace period the mark expires without any ways of restoration, a new mark must be filed. 

• Filing date: 01.09.2019
• Registration date: 01.09.2021
• Expiration date: 01.09.2029
• The earliest date for filing a renewal: 01.09.2028
• Grace period starts and ends: 01.09.2029-01.03.2030

Please be informed that the dates are determined to the best of our knowledge and we take no responsibility if the calculations are incorrect. We recommend that you contact us with an actual case in order to determine the renewal date with the highest accuracy possible.