Register a Trademark in France

Registering a trademark in France is very similar to the process in any other European country. The French Intellectual Property Code grants exclusive trademark rights only through registration (use alone does not create rights). One of our lawyers in France can offer support for the formalities implicated, plus legal advice for trademark registration in France.

Quick Facts
Types of trademarks	– word mark, – figurative mark, – color mark, – shape mark, – sound mark, etc.
Multiple class application (YES/NO)	YES
Language of the trademark application	French
Mandatory trademark representation	For non-EU/EAA residents – Our lawyers can act as your representative.
Time to complete the trademark registration in France	4-6 months (approx.)
Opposition period	2 months
Trademark validity	10 years
Trademark renewal conditions	Trademarks can be renewed indefinitely for another 10 years. Our attorneys can help renew your trademark.
Grounds for trademark revocation	If it has not been actively used for 5 years.
Government body regulating trademark protection	National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI)
Documents required for registering trademarks in France	– application form, – ID documents of the applicant, – trademark sample, – goods and services list, – proof of paid registration fee, etc.
Publication of trademarks	Bulletin Officiel de la Propriété Industrielle (BOPI)
European trademark registration	Possible via EUIPO (European Union Office for Intellectual Property)
International trademark protection	Possible through the Madrid System
Assistance and additional services	Our law firm assists in the entire trademark registration procedure, including filing the necessary paperwork. Additionally, we can also help investors with other legal services in France.
Characteristics of a trademark	Should be unique, original, non-offensive, distinguishable, etc.
Can foreigners register a trademark in France?	Yes, there are no restrictions in this regard.
Can natural persons register a trademark in France?	Yes, natural persons can also register a trademark in France, alongside business owners.
Prior trademark search	Recommended
Can sounds/recordings be part of a trademark in France? (YES/NO)	YES
Examination process	An important stage, part of the trademark registration process in France. We communicate with clients about possible errors/incorrect data.
Costs for trademark registration in France (approx.)	EUR 190 for one class (online filing) plus EUR 40 for each additional class.
What is the substantive examination for a trademark in France?	To ensure the trademark complies with the requirements
Registration fee for a trademark	Paid when the application is filed.
Renewal fee	Around EUR 290
What is brand monitoring?	A service that can protect your brand from being used by other companies/businesses.
Can associations/foundations register a trademark in France? (YES/NO)	YES
Why is it important to register your trademark in France?	– for business confidence and protection, – for avoiding brand infringement, etc.
Is a power of attorney needed for trademark registration in France?	Yes, we represent our customers with a power of attorney when registering a trademark in France.
Other services we offer through our law firm in France	Besides trademark registration in France, our clients can ask for: – business formation services, – assistance in mergers & acquisitions, – tax registration, – immigration, etc.

What are the main types of trademarks in France?

You can register various types of trademarks in France, such as:

text, letters, numbers;
slogans;
images or logos;
specific color schemes;
sounds;
three-dimensional shapes;
holograms;
patterns.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for registration, a French trademark must respect the following criteria:

it must be represented clearly and precisely (graphic representation is no longer required since 2019);
it must be unique, distinctive, and distinguishable from other products or services;
it must comply with the legal standards and not be morally offensive.

What are the main registration steps?

There are specific steps one needs to follow in order to register a trademark in France, as follows:

the first step is to conduct a search within the already registered trademarks;
the registration application represents the second step (The respective application must contain information on the applicant, the trademark, and the products or services to which it applies.);
the application is published in the French Official Bulleting of Industrial Properties (BOPI) no later than 6 weeks after the application.

What are the documents required for trademark registration?

There are a number of documents needed to register a trademark in France. All documents must be in French. Our team will present some of the required documents needed for registration:

ID documents of the applicant;
a sample of the trademark you wish to register;
a detailed list of the goods and/or services for which you are seeking trademark protection;
proof of paid registration fee;
information (if applicable) about any earlier application that grants you priority rights for registering a trademark in France;
power of attorney, if applicable.

What is the institution responsible for the registration of a trademark?

The procedure must be completed with the National Institute for Industrial Property.

Who can register a trademark in France?

Both individuals and legal entities have the right to register trademarks in France. This includes sole proprietors and various types of legal entities.

Can I be represented by a third party?

Yes, if you can’t complete the procedure on your own, regardless of the reason, you can delegate a third party (such as our team of lawyers in France), to represent you in the registration process.

What is opposition?

Opposition is a part of the trademark registration process during which any other party can oppose the registration of the trademark, in accordance with theFrench law. This takes place after the French authoritieshave analyzed an application and filed it for general review.

What is the duration of the opposition period?

The standard duration of the process is 2 months. However, it can take a longer period of time in cases where other parties do oppose the registration of an application. In such cases, the opposition can take up to 1 year.

Besides, we have prepared a video presentation on this topic that might be helpful:

How long does it take to register a trademark in France?

Trademark registration in France can be done in about 4-6 months, depending on formalities and other procedures.

Where else is my trademark protected?

If you have successfully completed the registration process in France, you will obtain protection rights not only on the French territory, but also on the country’s overseas territories. Our lawyers in France present below a few of these territories:

Guadeloupe;
French Guiana;
New Caledonia;
Saint Martin;
Saint Barthelemy;
Martinique;
French Polynesia (however, if you want to have trademark protection on this territory, you need to clearly state it on the application file, unlike the other regions, where trademark rights are granted automatically upon the completion of the process in France).

Here is an infographic with information about trademarks in France:

What is the trademark registration validity?

The trademark is registered for a period of 10 years and it is renewable.

What do I need to do if I change any of the information of my initial data?

Provided that you have registered with the French authorities, in the cases when you change any of the information provided to the authorities, you must report them. The procedure is done, in some cases, by submitting specific forms.

What is the law for trademark registration in France?

Trademark registration is completed as per the rules of the French Intellectual Property Code (Book VII), as amended by Ordinance no. 2019-1169 of 13 November 2019.

Please contact our French lawyersfor further information on the process for trademark registration. Our team can represent you in the registration process and can offer ongoing legal assistance and advice on the trademark laws and procedures.