The Community Trade Mark (CTMs) was introduced in 1996 to cover all 27 countries that comprise the European Union (Member States). In order to maintain a CTM, use of the mark in just one country (however minimal) is enough to sustain a mark.

As of May 1, 2009, the fees for filing a Community Trade Mark application have been reduced significantly – down by 40%, or 44% for electronic filings. There has also been a simplification of the fee structure with the removal of the registration fee altogether.

Specifically, the old CTM application fee (if filed by paper) was 1050 Euros, and has now been reduced to 900 Euros; the CTM application fee (if filed electronically) has been reduced from 900 to 750 Euros, the CTM application fee for a collective mark has been reduced from 1800 to 1300 euros, and the Madrid Protocol registration fee has been reduced from 1450 to 870 euros. The CTM registration fee has been removed completely (it used to be 850 euros).

If you have any questions about utilizing the CTM system, contact our office at any time.