Conclusions of the EU Competitiveness Council on May 25, 2010: Future Review of the EU Trademark System
A strategic discussion has taken place in recent years among the 27 Member States, the Trademarks and Designs Registration Office based in Alicante (OHIM) and the European Commission on the coordination of the two sets of trademarks that are currently operating in the European Union -the Community Trademark system and national trademarks- with a view to future developments to the EU system.
The result of this debate is the agreement reached on a set of measures aimed at balancing the budget of the OHIM; strengthening the ongoing cooperation with National Offices and generally improving the services they both provide.
The three fundamental elements of this agreement were:
- A considerable OHIM fee reduction.
- The establishment of a cooperation fund.
- 50% distribution in OHIM renewal fees to National Offices to improve their services.
While the first two points have already been carried out, the agreement gives effect to the third point and lays the foundations for adopting measures of complementarity between the national trade mark system and the Community Trademark system.
It also strengthens cooperation among National Offices and the OHIM, expanding the powers of the Community Agency by incorporating functions in the area of enforcing industrial property rights, including the fight against counterfeiting and piracy.
Moreover, emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of harmonization and cooperation between the OHIM and National Offices by establishing the framework for this cooperation and taking measures to support the complementary relationship between Community Trademarks and national trademarks.
In regards to revising job positions at the OHIM, proposals were made to appoint Antonio Campino (Portugal) as President of the OHIM, Paul Maier (France) as Chairman of the Boards of Appeal and Christian Archambeau (Belgium) as Vice-President of the OHIM.
