06. What are the alternatives in Europe for a Community Trademark?

The alternatives in Europe for a Community Trademark are either separate National registrations or using the Madrid system. This is a centrally administered system of a bundle of trademark registrations in separate jurisdictions. Filing and registering through the Madrid system does not create one registration, as in the case of the Community Trademark system but a bundle of national rights administered centrally. The Madrid system like the Community Trademark is a mechanism for obtaining trademark protection in many countries around the world (also countries that are not part of the Community Trademark). This is (as throught the CTM system) far more effective than seeking protection separately in each individual country.

The main disadvantages of trademark registration through the Madrid system are the complex administration and the strong limitations in classification. The applicant is limited to the classification of the basic International Registration.


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