Registering a trademark in Italy can be done with the help of our Italian lawyers. As this process may seem complicated for foreigners doing business in Italy for the first time, it is best to have legal counsel from the start. We invite you to explore this article with information on this topic and find out how you can be helped by our attorneys in Italy.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of trademarks in Italy | Marks consisting of: words, figures, colours, sounds, patterns, multimedia (audio and video) and/or combinations thereof |
|
Multiple class application |
Yes |
|
Pre-application trademark availability verification |
In some cases |
| Language of the trademark application | Italian |
| Minimum filing requirements |
Details about: the mark, the class for which the application is made (according to the Nice Classification), the applicant’s details, proof of fee payment |
| Mandatory trademark representation |
A copy of the trademark is submitted with the rest of the application documents. |
| Trademark registration fee |
EUR 101 for the initial application for one class |
| Time to complete the trademark registration (approx.) |
Several months |
| Trademark application through local representative |
Possible |
| Power of attorney requirements | Filing a special document to appoint the representative |
| Opposition period |
Three months from the date of publication of the application for registration |
| Trademark validity in Italy |
Ten years |
| Trademark renewal conditions |
Paying the renewal fee and observing the application timeline (before the expiry of the validity) |
| Conditions to revoke the trademark |
Failure to use the mark in the last five years, misleading marks, lack of distinctive character, does not meet the requirements, other cases too |
| Assistance for trademark application in Italy | Our Italian lawyers offer ongoing assistance for those who wish to submit a trademark application with the Patent and Trademark Office. |
Table of Contents
Who can own a trademark in Italy?
A trademark can be registered either by a legal entity or a natural person. Only the owner of a trademark can use it, and he/she can give the right of usage of the trademark to certain business partners or other persons. If a trademark is registered, it can’t be used without the consent of the owner. Other companies are not allowed to use the same trademarks as those already registered.
After you register a trademark in Italy, the registration is valid for ten years, and then it needs to be renewed. If a trademark is not used after its registration, within a term of five years, it can be invalidated if a third party requests this.
Types of trademarks accepted in Italy
The trademark you choose should not contain elements that are against the law or morally, and it must respect the copyright laws. In Italy, there are three main types of trademarks: for products, companies, and services. If you want to register a trademark in Italy, you must be sure that it is new and not similar to others already used in this country, so you must check it. The registration can be made at the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM). After you register your trademark with the Patent and Trademark Office, you can use it in Italy and also in San Marino and the Vatican.
What can you register as a trademark in Italy?
The trademark application can be done with the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM). This institution is in charge of verifications and approvals. The following are accepted as trademarks in Italy:
- signs,
- words,
- letters,
- sounds,
- colors,
- patterns,
- videos,
- combinations of these above, etc.
How is the trademark process done in Italy?
The trademark application must include information about the company, shareholders, type of trademark, and other information. With representation from our Italian lawyers, a trademark copy is submitted to the UIBM. Here are some other steps in this process:
- the process begins with a preliminary check of the trademark to be registered in Italy. Offensive trademarks and those that may affect the public space are not accepted. Also, the trademark must be original and not similar to others already registered;
- the application must include the trademark in question, the name of the person who wants to register it, the classification/category; and proof of fee payment. All documents can be submitted to UIBM online or at local offices, with representation from our Italian trademark attorneys;
- the examination process and opposition period follow. In case there are appeals against the trademark, the application can be rejected. Otherwise, the trademark can be registered in Italy;
- the trademark registration certificate is issued by UIBM in Italy at the end of the process.
What is good to know is that anyone can access the trademark database in Italy and check existing registered trademarks. This is useful when you want to register your own trademark in Italy.
Trademark statistics in Italy
Here are some statistical data about trademark and patent registration in Italy:
- According to interpatent.it, an increase of almost 7.4% was observed in invention patent registration in Italy in 2023. Over 12,200 national patent applications were filed in 2024.
- Around 182 applications for Historical Trademarks of National Interest were filed by UIBM in Italy in 2024.
In addition to assistance in trademark registration in Italy, our specialists can also help with other issues. For example, we can legally represent clients who want to buy a house in Italy. We invite you to discover more details about our legal services by contacting our law firm in Italy.