| Step number | Step corresponding information |
| step 1 | Prepare your trade mark – make sure your trade mark is a distinctive, word, logo, picture or other sign that clearly identifies your goods and services from other traders – check if someone else has already registered or applied to register a similar mark for similar goods or services. – check if someone else is using a similar mark for similar goods or services. – decide what classes of goods or services you require in Nice’s classification list. |
| step 2 | You fill in the online application form : http://depot-marque.inpi.fr |
| step 3 | You print your application form, and send it with the fees and the documents required to the INPI Or You proceed online registration of your trademark |
| step 4 | We respond by issuing a certificate which includes an application number and the date of application. |
| step 5 | Your request for recording of mark will be published with the “Bulletin Officiel de la Propriété Industrielle” (BOPI), on average six weeks after the date of application. |
| step 6 | There is a period of two months for anyone else to oppose the registration of your mark. The INPI also examines possible irregularities of your demand by studying the formal requirements (the designation of the products and services for example) and the basic conditions (in order to check that it is indeed a distinctive sign which is not prohibited or misleading). |
| step 7 | Until the technical preparations of the registration, it is possible for you to present a withdrawal of the whole of your request for registration (total withdrawal) or a part of the products and services (partial withdrawal). The withdrawal must be required by the owner of the title. |
| step 8 | If you do not withdraw your request and if it was not rejected, following an opposition or a irregularity, your mark is recorded with the national Register. You then receive the certificate of recording which guarantees the protection of your trademark during 10 years from the date of application. |
| Step | Fees (€) | Comments | |
| Standard Filling Fees | 225 | Paper filing | |
| Filling Fees with reduced fees | 200 | Electronic filing | |
| Standard Additionnal class fees | 40 | For each additional class | |
- In the event of deposit by fax, an additional royalty of 100€ will have to be paid
Defensive Actions
Opposition
General information
Who can file an opposition against my trade mark?
The procedure of opposition to a registration is open to the owner of a former mark , (a french mark, an international mark which have effect in France, a filed or registered community trade marks, or a well-known mark) as well as the exclusive licensee (except in case of a contrary contractual article), who estimate that the mark for which the registration is required infringes their rights.>
Can I file an opposition against a someone else’s trade mark?
Yes, if you are the owner of a former mark, (a french mark, an international mark which have effect in France, a filed or registered community trade marks, or a well-known mark) as well as if you are the exclusive licensee (except in case of a contrary contractual article), who estimate that the mark for which the registration is required infringes their rights.
Are there specific deadlines/timeframes which I have to observe in connection with opposition proceedings?
The publication of the application in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property opens a delay of two months within which an opposition to registration may be opened,
Who will take a decision on the opposition?
The Director of the industrial property office
Cancellation
General information
Who can file a request for the cancellation of my trade mark?
Any interested person
Can I file a request for the cancellation of someone else’s trade mark?
Yes, you can file a request for the cancellation of someone else.
Are there specific deadlines/timeframes which I have to observe in connection with a request for cancellation / cancellation proceedings?
The deadline is 30 years or 10 years (if the commercial law applies)
Who will take a decision on the cancellation?
The Court will take the decision on the cancellationWhere can I file an application for declaration of invalidity of someone else’s patent?
Application for declaration of invalidity must be filed before a Court
Proactive Measures
Customs Seizure
General information
Is customs seizure available in your country?
Yes, customs seizure is available in France
Who can seize goods and what can be seized?
The customs. Any product which infringes a trademark, and all the products which helped in the realization of the fraud (the means of transport for example)
What risks may be involved if I have goods seized by customs?
The risks are fine (up to twice the value of the goods), and imprisonment (3 years),
Instruments
Preservation of Evidence
General information
Is ist possible to collect evidence against an IP infringer?
Yes, there are several means to collect evidence against an IP infringer (for example, “saisie contrefaçon”,,,)
Who can help me to preserve evidence?
For example : a bailiff, the customs the police or gendarmerie nationale.
A colour icon describes the complexity of each question as follows:
Low
Medium
High
The cost of renewing a trade mark is 240 € for one to three classes of goods or services, and 40 € for each extra class.
The registration of your trade mark can last for ever.
However, if you want this to happen you must renew it every 10 years.
| Year | Standard fees (€) | Reduced fees (€) | Comments |
| 10 | 240 |