How to Register a Trademark in France (2025) | Complete Guide

France, with its rich cultural heritage and strong emphasis on intellectual property protection, offers robust trademark protection for businesses. Whether you're a French company or an international business looking to expand into the French market, registering your trademark in France is a crucial step in protecting your brand identity.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of registering a trademark in France, including requirements, costs, timelines, and important considerations to ensure successful registration.

Understanding the French Trademark System

In France, trademark protection is governed by the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI), the French national intellectual property office. France follows a first-to-file system, meaning that trademark rights are generally granted to the first person who files an application, rather than the first person who uses the mark.

France is also a member of the European Union, which means that businesses have two options for trademark protection in France:

1. National Trademark: Filing directly with INPI for protection in France only
2. European Union Trademark (EUTM): Filing with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for protection across all EU member states, including France

This guide focuses primarily on the national trademark registration process through INPI, but we'll also touch on the EU option where relevant.

What Can Be Registered as a Trademark in France?

In France, a trademark can be any sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. This includes:

• Words, names, and slogans
• Letters, numbers, and abbreviations
• Logos, symbols, and images
• Shapes and packaging
• Colors (usually in specific combinations or contexts)
• Sounds and melodies
• Holograms
• Motion marks

However, a trademark cannot be registered if it:

• Lacks distinctive character
• Is descriptive of the goods or services
• Is customary in the current language or established practices of trade
• Is contrary to public policy or morality
• Is deceptive
• Contains protected emblems, flags, or official signs
• Infringes on earlier rights (e.g., existing trademarks, copyrights, designs)

Pre-Filing Trademark Search

Before filing a trademark application in France, it's highly recommended to conduct a comprehensive trademark search to ensure your mark doesn't conflict with existing registrations or applications. This step is crucial as France follows a first-to-file system.

You can conduct a preliminary search using:

• INPI's trademark database (for French national trademarks)
• EUIPO's eSearch Plus (for EU trademarks)
• WIPO's Madrid Monitor (for international registrations)

For a more comprehensive search, it's advisable to engage a trademark attorney or a specialized search service that can identify potential conflicts with unregistered marks, company names, and domain names.

The Trademark Application Process in France

Step 1: Prepare Your Application

A complete trademark application to INPI must include:

• Applicant information (name, address, nationality)
• A clear representation of the trademark
• A list of goods and services for which protection is sought, classified according to the Nice Classification system
• Payment of the official fees
• Power of attorney (if filed through a representative)
• Priority claim documents (if applicable)

Step 2: File Your Application

You can file your trademark application:

• Online: Through the INPI e-filing system (recommended)
• By Mail: Send your application to INPI's headquarters in Paris
• In Person: At INPI's headquarters or regional offices

Non-EU applicants must appoint a representative domiciled in the European Economic Area (EEA) to file and prosecute the application.

Step 3: Examination

Once filed, your application will undergo a formal and substantive examination by INPI. The examination process includes:

• Formal Examination: Checking that the application meets all administrative requirements
• Substantive Examination: Assessing the trademark against absolute grounds for refusal (e.g., distinctiveness, descriptiveness, public policy)
• Classification Check: Ensuring goods and services are properly classified

INPI does not automatically examine applications for conflicts with earlier rights (relative grounds). Instead, owners of earlier rights can file oppositions during the opposition period.

Step 4: Publication and Opposition Period

If the application passes the examination, it will be published in the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property (BOPI). This starts a two-month opposition period during which third parties can file oppositions based on earlier rights.

Step 5: Registration

If no oppositions are filed (or if oppositions are resolved in your favor), INPI will register the trademark and issue a registration certificate. The trademark will be valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for additional 10-year periods.

Costs of Trademark Registration in France

The costs of registering a trademark in France include:

Additional costs may include:

• Attorney or agent fees (if using professional services)
• Trademark search fees
• Translation costs (if documents are not in French)
• Opposition or appeal fees (if applicable)

Timeline for Trademark Registration in France

The typical timeline for trademark registration in France is:

Note that if objections are raised during examination or if oppositions are filed, the process can take significantly longer, potentially 12-18 months or more.

International Protection Options

EU Trademark (EUTM)

Instead of filing a national trademark in France, you can file an EU Trademark application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). An EUTM provides protection in all EU member states, including France, with a single registration.

Key considerations for EUTM vs. French national trademark:

Madrid System

France is a member of the Madrid Protocol, which allows trademark owners to file a single international application through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to seek protection in multiple countries.

To use the Madrid System:

1. You must have a base application or registration in France (or another Madrid Protocol member)
2. File an international application through INPI, designating the countries where you seek protection
3. WIPO will forward the application to the designated countries for examination under their national laws

Maintaining and Enforcing Your Trademark in France

Renewal

French trademarks are valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for additional 10-year periods. The renewal application should be filed within the six months before the expiration date or within the six months after (with an additional fee).

Use Requirement

A French trademark must be genuinely used in connection with the registered goods and services within five years of registration. If the trademark is not used for a continuous period of five years without legitimate reason, it becomes vulnerable to cancellation for non-use.

Enforcement

As a trademark owner in France, you have several options to enforce your rights against infringement:

• Cease and Desist Letter: A formal notice demanding that the infringer stop using your trademark
• Customs Action: Recording your trademark with French Customs to prevent the import of counterfeit goods
• Civil Action: Filing a lawsuit for trademark infringement in the specialized IP courts
• Criminal Proceedings: In cases of counterfeiting, criminal penalties may apply
• Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation or arbitration as alternatives to litigation

France has specialized intellectual property courts (Tribunaux Judiciaires) with exclusive jurisdiction over trademark disputes, ensuring that cases are heard by judges with expertise in IP law.

Tips for Successful Trademark Registration in France

1. Conduct a thorough search: Before filing, ensure your trademark doesn't conflict with existing rights to avoid rejection or future disputes.
2. Be specific with goods and services: Clearly define the goods and services for which you seek protection, using the Nice Classification system.
3. Consider filing in multiple classes: If your business operates across different sectors, consider filing in multiple classes to ensure comprehensive protection.
4. File in French: While not mandatory, filing in French can help avoid translation issues and ensure your trademark is properly understood.
5. Consider EU-wide protection: If you plan to do business in other EU countries, an EU Trademark might be more cost-effective than multiple national registrations.
6. Use professional assistance: Consider hiring a French trademark attorney, especially if you're unfamiliar with the French legal system or don't speak French.
7. Monitor your trademark: Regularly monitor the market and trademark registers for potential infringements or conflicting applications.
8. Use your trademark: Ensure genuine use of your trademark in France to maintain your rights and prevent vulnerability to non-use cancellation.

Conclusion

Registering a trademark in France provides valuable protection for your brand in one of Europe's largest economies. The process is straightforward but requires careful preparation and attention to detail to ensure successful registration.

Whether you choose to file a national trademark with INPI or seek broader protection through an EU Trademark or the Madrid System, securing your trademark rights in France is an essential step in building and protecting your brand internationally.

For businesses serious about entering or expanding in the French market, trademark registration should be a priority to prevent potential infringement issues and establish a strong legal foundation for your brand's growth.