How to Search a European Union Trademark

Search trademarks from 27 European countries in one database.

The Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office of the European Union handles trademark registration for 27 countries in Europe. Its online database is designed for expert access to trademark information and is a bit complex to use, but it's a powerful and comprehensive set of data on European trademarks nonetheless. In just a few simple steps, you can easily begin searching for trademarks in Europe.

Instructions

1. Visit the European Community's online trademark database at the link provided in the References section. The European Community comprises 27 countries with a combined population of more than 500 million people. All Western European countries except Switzerland and Norway are included.

2. Read the introductory text to familiarize yourself with an overview of the Community Trade Marks system. The help files cover the types of information in the system, including registrant, trademark description and date registered. When you are ready to search, click on the "Search Online" link.

3. Enter your search terms, which generally include either a company name or terms describing the trademark itself. Adjust the search features to suit your needs. For example, use the "Begins with" or "Contains" options to best target your search.

4. Use the Advanced Search to fine-tune your search. Click on the double-magnifying-glass icon to access Advanced Search features. For example, you can use this to search for all trademarks registered to a particular company.

Tips & Warnings

• "Trademarks" is spelled as a single word in U.S. usage, but as two separate words in European usage, as in "The Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office of Europe."

References

• The Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office of the European Union: Community Trade Mark Database