European trademark law is currently undergoing the biggest reform since the introduction of the Community trademark system in 1996. On 15 December 2015, the European Parliament approved a Reform Package consisting of an amended European Union Trademark Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015/2424) and a new Trademarks Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/2436). This bundle of new laws, referred to as EU Trademark Reform Package, brings changes not only to Community trademarks but also to owners of national trademarks in the EU.
WHAT CHANGES?
The approved reform package is the result of almost three years of inter-institutional debate. The revised laws are intended to make EU trademark law fit for the challenges of business in the 21st Century, for example by making the registration of trademark marks cheaper, quicker and more reliable for firms. Not surprisingly, it contains a wide range of innovations. Whereas some changes are primarily technical, there are others that can have huge impact on trademark owners.
Please visit our dedicated EU Trademark Reform site at https://www.dlapiper.com/en/uk/focus/eu-trademark-reform/.