EU trademark reforms: small but important tweaks

In December 2015 the largest piece of legislation amending EU trademark law so far, namely Regulation (EU) 2015/2424 (amending regulation), was passed. On March 23, 2016 the first part of the regulation entered into force. The remaining provisions will have effect from October 1, 2017.

The changes introduced concern, among others, the absolute grounds for refusal, on which the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) (formerly OHIM) may reject a trademark application on ex officio grounds. The most important changes are summarised below.