Trademark registration in Netherlands

A trademark application has to be filed before the Benelux Office of Intellectual Property. A Power of Attorney is not required. Foreign applicants do not need a domestic registration.

The application process includes an examination on absolute grounds; the official search has been abandoned. Signs not deemed distinctive in the examination can be registered if distinctiveness has been acquired by use. After the examination on formalities and absolute grounds, the application is published in the online Benelux Bulletin for opposition purposes. Oppositions could be filed within a period of 2 months after the first day of the month which follows the date of publication of the mark. The whole procedure takes between 5 and 8 months if there are no complications. There also exists an expedited registration procedure.

NATIONAL REGISTRATION: If you just want to register your Trademark in one country, it is sufficient to apply for a national registration at the local trademark office. EUROPEAN UNION (COMMUNITY TRADEMARK): Since this country is a member of the European Union, Trademark Protection could be obtained by registration of a Community Trademark (CTM), which is valid for a period of 10 years in all countries of the European Union. INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION (MADRID SYSTEM)*: If you already have filed a trademark application or have a trademark registration in one or more countries of the Madrid Union (based on the Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol), you can obtain trademark protection by filing one single application, so called International Registration (Madrid System). *Note: The fees for an International Trademark Application (WIPO) will be calculated for each individual country or multiple countries. For a quotation please send us an e-mail with the name of countries where you currently have a registration and all preferable countries where you wish to extend your trademark protection.