Get legal help with the steps involved in an EU trade mark application

The process usually starts with checking the mark you want to file, confirming who should own the application and working out which goods or services need protection. From there, the application details are prepared so the filing matches the brand and commercial use you have in mind. Once lodged, the authority examines the application and may raise issues or publish it for opposition. This service covers the legal work up to lodgement and immediate filing-stage guidance, rather than every later issue that might arise after submission.

You should have the proposed trade mark ready, whether that is a word mark, logo or stylised brand element, together with the correct owner details for the application. It also helps to provide a clear description of the goods or services you want covered and some context about how the brand will be used in Europe. If the filing is for a logo, the artwork version matters. Good input at this stage helps avoid problems caused by inaccurate ownership details or poorly framed goods and services descriptions.

Yes, part of the service includes an availability and eligibility assessment for the proposed mark before filing. That can help identify obvious issues such as conflicts, descriptiveness concerns or class selection problems that may affect the application path. It is still important to understand that a pre-filing assessment is not the same as a final registration decision. The authority may take a different view during examination, and third parties may still object after publication, which is outside Sprintlaw's control.

The preparation and filing stage is usually much shorter than the full registration timeline. Once the application has been lodged, the pace depends on the authority's processes, whether any objections are raised and whether another party files an opposition. Some applications move through more smoothly than others, particularly where the mark is distinctive and the goods or services are clearly described. We can explain the usual sequence and likely next steps, but we cannot promise a registration date because the authority controls that stage.

That would usually be follow-on work rather than part of the initial filing service. The fixed-fee on this page covers the pre-filing advice, preparation and lodgement of the application, plus immediate next-step guidance after filing. If the authority issues a substantive objection, asks for detailed submissions or a third party opposes the mark, that would need separate scoping. We can then explain what the issue means, what response options may be available and whether further legal work is worth pursuing.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.