New EU trademark directive implemented in all countries

Düsseldorf, 12.08.2020 – The path for the EU Trademark Directive 2015/2436 (MRL) has been cleared: All EU countries have now transposed the revised directive into national law. As the last remaining EU member state, Romania amended its trademark law accordingly on 13 July.

The Trademark Law Modernization Act (MaMoG) and thus the amendment of the Trademark Act (MarkenG) for the implementation of the MRL entered into force on 14 January 2019 (see C&F press release, 5 December 2018). The purpose of the MRL is to further harmonize the national trademark systems of the EU member states. Among other things, the amendments include modified requirements for the representation of registered trademarks, the introduction of the "certification mark", new requirements for absolute grounds for refusal of protection and changes in the term of protection and renewals of trademarks. In addition, certain amendments in revocation and invalidity proceedings have been in force since 1 May 2020.

"With the implementation of the EU Trademark Directive in all countries, an important step has been taken to unify and harmonize the trademark law system in the EU and thus to encourage companies throughout Europe in their innovative capacity", says Andreas Thielmann, patent attorney and partner at Cohausz & Florack.

The DPMA provides information on all details of the trademark law reform and the contents of the MRL on its website.

Picture Credits: Vladimirs Koskins – AdobeStock