Coinciding with this change, users of the OHIM system will have the option to file their trademarks with a new “Fast Track” procedure starting on 24 November 2014.

The advantages of the Fast Track:

• Fast Track applications will be published from 4 to 6 weeks or less from the date they are paid, which is half the time as compared to regular applications, and
• Applications save 2 months time from filing to registration.

Regular applications are published from 8 to 11 weeks from payment of the official fees.

Users can choose the Fast Track option for free, but there are some conditions that must be met:

• Users have to select their goods and services from the OHMI’s harmonised database, which contains pre-validated and pre-translated terms, and
• Fees have to be paid at the end of the application process or immediately after submission.

This means that applicants can have a fully registered CTM trademark within 5-6 months.

Where a custom list of goods is required to achieve most coverage, to ensure protection, and to avoid conflicts with other trademarks, the regular paced proceeding is the best option for that purpose.

Should you have any questions please contact info@qumsieh.com.

The office exerts all efforts possible to achieve its ideal target from reception to publication for CTM, estimated at 11 weeks, and up to 26 weeks until registration in straightforward and smooth applications and in case no national search is requested.

Moreover, significant improvements have been noticed regarding oppositions’ procedures and settlement. The timeline standard of 17 weeks has been reached and efforts are being made to make it shorter in the future.

By way of background, The CRM system creates a unified trademark/design registration system in Europe consisting of 27 countries, whereby one registration provides protection in all member states of the EURO.