French trademark

Notice on Trademark Registration in France

In France, the classification of goods and services follows the classification system stipulated in the Nice Agreement on the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of Trademark Registration; French trademark law belongs to the civil law system, and the acquisition of trademark rights is based on registration; France accepts registration applications for goods trademarks, service trademarks, collective trademarks, and certification trademarks; France is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, as well as the Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Marks, the Madrid Protocol on the International Registration of Marks, the Nice Agreement on the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of Trademark Registration, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. French cosmetics or clothing brands are highly favored by merchants and consumers around the world. Registering a trademark in France not only provides protection for the country, but also has a positive impact on establishing an international brand. Chinese companies have registered the most trademarks in France for cosmetics and clothing.

French Trademark Registration and Application Process

1. Applicant Qualification: Any individual or organization who uses or intends in good faith to use a trademark may apply for a trademark registration, and with the applicant's consent, others may also use the trademark. Two or more individuals or organizations can jointly apply for a trademark. 2. Application process (smooth progress):

(1) Formal examination: the legality examination of the submitted application documents, trademark designs, power of attorney and other documents after the application is submitted; Those who meet the requirements will be granted the application date and application number.

(2) Substantive examination: Based on the law, examine whether the trademark has registrability, whether it is the same or similar to a previously registered trademark, and whether it violates the prohibition clause of the Trademark Law. For trademarks that fail substantive examination, the examiner will notify the applicant in writing and inform them of the reasons for rejection. The applicant may submit a re examination within the time limit from the date of receiving the rejection notice. Otherwise, the application will be deemed abandoned, and the application date and number will not be retained.

(3) Announcement: After examination, the examiner considers that the trademark application can be accepted and will publish an announcement on the official trademark announcement in France. The objection period is 2 months from the date of announcement.

(4) Registration approval: Trademarks that have been ruled to be eligible for registration after opposition, or trademarks that have been published without opposition, will be approved for registration and a registration certificate will be issued. The entire smooth application process (if there are no rejections, objections, etc.) will take approximately 6-8 months.

2. Validity period: 10 years from the date of application. If the registration needs to be continued after the expiration of the validity period, an application for renewal registration should be made 6 months before the expiration of the registration validity period. Each renewal registration is valid for 10 years.

Required documents for French trademark application

1. Apply as a legal entity, with one copy of the Business License or valid registration certificate stamped with the official seal; Apply as a natural person with one copy of personal identification document attached;

2. The applicant's detailed information (in both Chinese and English), including name or title, nature, nationality, as well as detailed address, postal code, and contact information;

3. Electronic trademark samples;

4. Product name and category.