Trademark protection arises through
See below
TerraLex Cross-Border Guide to Cross-Border Trademark Guide
Welcome to the TerraLex cross-border trademark guide
Utilizing the TerraLex Cross-Border Trademark Guide, you can now compare trademark regulation across jurisdictions as well as connect with practitioners.
How to Use: You can use the tools below to create bespoke reports for the jurisdiction(s) and topic(s) covered. Click into single jurisdiction for one location or use the compare tool to compare multiple jurisdictions. Select the jurisdictions and topics of interest to create your unique report. You also have the option to print or download using the ellipsis button in the top right corner.
Germany Cross-Border Trademark Guide Guide
- Authors:
- Magnus Hirsch, Dorothee Altenburg
- Date posted:
- 12/10/2022
- Last update:
- 14/10/2022
Generalities
1.1. Simple effective use in commerce?
No.
1.2. Registration?
Yes.
1.3. Cautionary notice?
No.
1.4. Intensive use (notoriety)?
Yes.
1.5. Public recognition?
Yes.
1.6. Well-known character?
Yes.
1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
N/A
Registrable types of mark
See below
2.1. Individual mark?
Yes.
2.2. Collective mark?
Yes.
2.3. Certification mark?
Yes.
2.4. Well-known mark?
No.
2.5. Other (if yes, please specify)?
N/A
Registrable forms of mark
See below
3.1. Word mark?
Yes.
3.2. Figurative mark with word elements?
Yes.
3.3. Figurative mark?
Yes.
3.4. Shape mark?
Yes.
3.5. Shape mark with word elements?
Yes.
3.6. Position mark?
Yes.
3.7. Pattern mark?
Yes.
3.8. Color (single) mark?
Yes.
3.9. Color (combination) mark?
Yes.
3.10. Sound mark?
Yes.
3.11. Motion mark?
Yes.
3.12. Multimedia mark?
Yes.
3.13. Hologram mark?
Yes.
3.14. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Light marks, Tactile marks, Conseptual Mark (e.g. the temperature of a shop for bathing clothes at 5°C).
Possibility of claiming a foreign priority
Yes.
4.1. If yes, what is the time limit (months from date of…)?
Priority can be claimed within six months from the date of filing of the priority-founding application; the priority claim must be made at the latest two months after the filing date of the application with the GPTO.
Classification of goods and services
See below
5.1. Nice classification adopted (if yes, indicate applicable version)?
Yes (NCL 11-2021).
5.2. Local subclass system?
No.
Possible claims against new application
See below
6.1. Opposition proceedings implemented in trademark law?
Yes.
6.1.1. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior registered trademark?
Yes.
6.1.2. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior pending trademark application?
Yes.
6.1.3. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered trademark in use?
No.
6.1.4. If yes, is the basis for opposition a non-registered notorious/famous mark?
Yes.
6.1.5. If yes, is the basis for opposition a prior company name/trade name?
Yes.
6.1.6. If yes, is the basis for opposition absolute grounds?
No.
6.1.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
Yes, protected geographical indication or protected appellation of origin (if opposed mark has been filed after 14-Jan-2019).
Observations from third parties? (If yes, indicate the basis for such observations.)
Yes.
7.1. Prior registered mark?
Yes.
7.2. Prior pending trademark application?
Yes.
7.3. Prior non-registered trademark in use?
No.
7.4. Prior non-registered notorious/famous mark?
Yes.
7.5. Prior company/trade name?
Yes.
7.6. Absolute grounds?
Yes.
7.7. Other (if yes, please specify)?
N/A
Mandatory formalities preliminary to filing application?
No.
8.1. Similarity search
No.
8.1.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?
N/A
8.2. Others?
No.
8.2.1. If yes, what is the time frame (weeks/months) and approximate cost?
N/A
Specification of goods and services
Class system
See below
9.1. Single class system?
No.
9.2. Multiclass system?
Yes.
9.2.1. Separate applications for goods and services mandatory?
No.
Possible restrictions on goods/services (e.g. alcoholic beverages, retail services, etc. not allowed, or only class headings eligible, etc.)
No.
10.1. If yes, please specify.
N/A
Special claims/regulations
See below
11.1. Claim of previous use possible?
No.
11.1.1. If yes, is proof required (affidavit, use specimens, etc.)?
N/A
11.1.2. If yes, through which kinds of proceedings can the proof of use be requested (opposition, cancelation, renewal proceedings, etc.)?
N/A
11.2. Disclaimer
No.
11.3. Previous registration in country of origin required
No.
11.4. Changes in the mark appearance during the application proceedings possible
No.
11.5. Restrictions regarding trademark owner (e.g. trademark protection not eligible for owner from particular countries).
No.
11.5.1. If yes, please specify.
N/A
11.6. Is there any legal term from which the trademark must be used in order to avoid a possible cancellation?
Yes.
11.6.1. If yes, please specify.
Within five years from the date upon which the registration of a trademark may no longer be opposed or opposition proceedings are concluded.
11.7. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
Filing documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
See below
12.1. Power of attorney
No.
12.2. Evidence of pre-registration in country of origin
No.
12.3. Priority documents (if priority claimed)
Yes, scanned copies permitted.
12.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
Late filing of documents
See below
13.1. Is late filing of documents permitted?
Yes.
13.1.1. If yes, please indicate the time limit (days/months from....).
If not submitted with filing GPTO will issue an office action and set a term of two months.
13.2. Official late filing fee due?
No.
Means for representation of the mark (for instance JPEG with XY pixels)
See below
14.1. Figurative mark with word elements
JPEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.2. Figurative mark
JPEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.3. Shape mark
PEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.4. Shape mark with word elements
PEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.5. Position mark
JPEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.6. Pattern mark
JPEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.7. Color (single) mark
JPEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.8. Color (combination) mark
JPEG/up to 2 MB/2836 x 2010 px max/96 DPI min
14.9. Sound mark
MP4/up to 20 MB/MPEG4 H.264/1920 x 1080 px max/60 frames/s max/MP3 or AACLC or AAC
14.10. Motion mark
MP4/up to 20 MB/MPEG4 H.264/1920 x 1080 px max/60 frames/s max/MP3 or AACLC or AAC
14.11. Multimedia mark
MP4/up to 20 MB/MPEG4 H.264/1920 x 1080 px max/60 frames/s max/MP3 or AACLC or AAC
14.12. Hologram mark
MP4/up to 20 MB/MPEG4 H.264/1920 x 1080 px max/60 frames/s max/MP3 or AACLC or AAC
Local legal representatives for foreign applicants
See below
15.1. Are local legal representatives mandatory for foreign applicants?
Yes.
15.2. Possibility of having representatives domiciled in another country?
Yes.
15.2.1. If yes, please specify the countries.
Patent attorneys or attorneys at law from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EAA) or Switzerland, provided they are authorized to represent in the proceedings before the GPTO.
Examination
See below
16.1. Is there formal examination?
Yes.
16.1.1. If yes, does the formal examination take place prior to the publication of the application?
Yes.
16.2. Is there examination on absolute grounds?
Yes.
16.3. Is there examination on relative grounds?
No.
16.4. Can relative grounds be objected by the Trademark Office or only by the prior rights' owners?
See below
16.5. Are letters of consent admissible to overcome ex-officio citations of prior marks?
See below
16.5.1. If yes, is notarization or legalization required?
N/A
16.6. Is there an examination timeframe if no official objections are raised?
See below
Publication
See below
17.1. Publication before registration?
No.
17.2. Publication after registration?
Yes.
17.3. Publication in trademark Gazette?
Yes.
17.4. Publication in local newspapers?
No.
17.5. Official publication fee due?
No.
Registration
See below
18.1. Certificate of Registration in paper form?
Yes.
18.2. Certificate of Registration in electronic form?
No.
18.3. Term of protection of the mark? Please include term details
Yes, ten years.
18.3.1. As from priority date?
No.
18.3.2. As from filing date?
Yes.
18.3.3. As from registration date?
No.
18.3.4. As from actual registration date?
No.
18.3.5. As from date of issuance of Certificate of Registration?
No.
18.3.6. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
18.4. End of grace period of use? Please include term details
Yes, five years.
18.4.1. As from official registration date?
See below
18.4.2. As from actual registration date?
See below
18.4.3. As from end of opposition deadline?
Yes.
18.4.4. As from conclusion of opposition proceedings (if any)?
Yes.
18.4.5. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
18.5. How long can we expect a decision on the application by BPTO?
Three to six months.
Official fees due at the time
See below
19.1. Filing
Yes.
19.2. Publication
No.
19.3. Registration
No.
19.4. Other (if yes, please specify)
N/A
19.5. Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the fees are accessible and updated.
Renewal
Documents required (please indicate whether notarization, apostille, legalization, and/or scanned copies are permitted)
See below
20.1. Power of attorney
No.
20.2. Original registration certificate
No.
20.3. Affidavit of use
No.
20.4. Evidence of use
No.
20.5. Others (if yes, please specify)
N/A
Is the late filing of documents admissible? If yes, please indicate the time limit.
See below
21.1. Official late filing fee due?
See below
Is there a renewal grace period provided for by law? If yes, please indicate the timing.
Yes, six months.
Special maintenance requirements
See below
23.1. First declaration of use?
No.
23.2. Time to file?
No.
23.3. Extensions permitted?
No.
23.3.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted)
N/A
23.4. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?
No.
23.5. Second declaration of use? If other, please specify.
No.
23.6. Time to file?
No.
23.7. Extensions permitted?
See below
23.7.1. If yes, please indicate the number allowed (as the maximum accepted).
See below
23.8. Documents required (affidavit/declaration, notarized/legalized, evidence of use, subject to official fees)?
No.
Recording of changes/limitation
See below
24.1 Limitations of lists of goods/services?
Yes.
24.1.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.1.2. Official fees due?
No.
24.2. Change in name or address of owner?
Yes.
24.2.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.2.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
No.
24.2.3. Official fees due?
No.
24.3. Change in ownership?
Yes.
24.3.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
Yes.
24.3.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Yes, German/English language Google translation and a copy of the original contract.
24.3.3. Official fees due?
See below
24.4. Change of representative?
Yes.
24.4.1. Possible at any stage or only after registration?
A change of representative can be requested at any stage.
24.4.2. Documents required (original or scanned)?
Usually, no documents are required, but the GPTO can request a PoA if in doubt. In this case, the original document must be submitted.
24.4.3. Official fees due?
No.
Link to the official website of the Trademark Office where the official fees are accessible and updated.
Disclaimer: This guide contains summaries of general principles of law. It is not a substitute for specific legal advice and should not be relied upon in relation to the application of the law or subject matter covered.