On 15 January 2016, Europe’s new Trade Mark Directive (2015/2436) will come into force, with the aim of harmonising trade mark laws across the EU. The news follows the publication of the new Directive in the Official Journal 23 December 2015. The new Directive replaces the previous Directive (2008/95/EC), with effect from January 2019. Member States will have three years to enact the relevant legislation.

The new rules aim to make registration of trade marks cheaper, quicker and more reliable, through streamlining and harmonising national and EU trade mark registration procedures. They also make it possible to impound the transit of counterfeit goods through EU territory.
Continue Reading Full steam ahead for the EU’s new Trade Mark Directive