The
OHIM (Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market)
was established to provide owners of trade marks with the option of
applying to register their trade marks in all 25 countries of the EU
using a single registration procedure. The Community Trade Mark came
into effect on 1st April 1996 and gives the proprietor a single
registration, which is valid in all 25 EU countries.
An
applicant for a Community Trade Mark (CTM) may apply directly to OHIM
or may forward the application via the Irish Patents Office together
with a handling fee of €25. If an application for a CTM is made via the
Irish Patents Office, the Office will acknowledge receipt of the
application and immediately forward it to OHIM. Its filing date will be
the date of receipt at this Office. With the exception of the handling
fee, all other fees including the filing fee must be paid directly to
the OHIM.
All details relating to the Community Trade Mark
registration system, including application forms and notes regarding
completion of same, fees and methods of payment may be obtained from
the
OHIM website.