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Trademark Registration in Germany

Our 2025 Guide on how to register a Trademark in Germany and the EU– Tsaks Trademarks

Understanding trademarks and applications in Germany

Getting a trademark in Germany is a well-defined process, and our team at Tsaks Consulting helps businesses from Germany, Europe, and all over the world with it. Registering your trademark with the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) is crucial to protect your brand. We’ll walk you through the German trademark rules and make the application easy. We have dedicated specialists working from our offices in Berlin, who are experts in DPMA processes.

When you register a trademark, you get the exclusive right to use a specific mark (like a symbol, image, or logo), which protects your brand and its value. This lets you market your business with confidence, knowing your brand is safe. Our experienced lawyers, with strong local knowledge from our German offices, can help you with every step, from filling out the DPMA forms to making sure your trademark is unique and acceptable. We are a team of passionate trademark and IP law specialists dedicated to help our clients register and protect their brands.

Why businesses register trademarks in Germany

Most of our clients register their trademarks in Germany or the EU to:

  • Protect their brand and marketing efforts legally. For example, a clothing brand may want to register a trademark to protect their unique logo and brand name, preventing competitors from copying their designs and confusing customers.
  • Create an asset they can use when selling their business. A registered trademark adds significant value to a company, making it more attractive to potential buyers. It’s also great to register your trademark so that as you grow your business the value of your grand grows with you and no competitor can register your trademark.
  • Increase their brand’s recognition and trust in Germany. A registered trademark can enhance a brand’s credibility and build customer loyalty. This is critical especially when investing significantly in marketing in the German market.
  • Make sure they have the exclusive right to their business name. For instance, a tech startup might register their company name to prevent others from using it in the same industry, ensuring they build a distinct brand identity.

What You Can Trademark in Germany (and the EU) and How Tsaks Trademarks will Help

In Germany and the EU, you can trademark:

  • Words and slogans.
  • Letters and numbers.
  • Images and colors.
  • Sounds.
  • Logos.

Our lawyers, working closely with our German teams, help you through the whole process, making sure your trademark is registered in the right categories and countries to protect your brand. We provide the full service of trademark and IP law on a daily basis, and are also able to assist with highly complex matters.

Why Trademark Applications are rejected in Germany (and the EU) and how we can help

Our lawyers have helped many clients deal with rejected trademark applications. Common reasons for rejection include:

  • The trademark isn’t original and is copied.
  • The trademark is misleading or describes something too generally.
  • The trademark uses offensive language.

Examples of Trademarks you cannot register in Germany:

  • Trademarks that are too similar to existing ones and might confuse people. For instance, a new beverage company trying to register a logo very similar to a well-known soft drink brand would likely be rejected.
  • Generic terms that describe everyday things. For example, trying to register the word “shoes” for a shoe store would be considered too generic.
  • Phrases that have been used by a specific brand for a long time.
  • National flags or symbols without permission.
  • Copies of protected artwork.

Our lawyers, including those based in Germany, will give you feedback on your application and tell you if it’s likely to be approved. It’s important that you understand if your trademark can be registered or not – firstly, so that you don’t undergo the trademark process in Germany and the EU unnecessarily, and secondly so that you don’t invest heavily in marketing a name which can’t be protected.

How to Register a Trademark in Germany

You can apply for a trademark in multiple categories at once in Germany. Here’s what you need:

  • Your name, address, and company details.
  • A clear picture of your trademark.
  • A list of the products or services you want to protect.
  • Proof of any earlier applications, if you have them.
  • Payment of the DPMA fees.
  • The correct category for your products or services.
  • Permission from anyone else involved, if needed.
  • Audio files for sound trademarks.

We’ll keep you updated on your application until it’s published.

The process includes a three-month period where others can object to your trademark, and you’ll need to renew it every ten years. We’ll remind you when it’s time to renew.

Priority for Trademarks in Germany

If two people apply for the same trademark at the same time, the person who submitted a complete application first gets priority. This is generally the case across the EU and therefore, it’s critical to register your trademark in a timely manner.

Other Intellectual Property and Trademark services we provide to businesses in Germany

We also help with:

  • Patents: Protecting new inventions.
  • Copyright: Protecting creative works.
  • Responding to objections: If someone objects to your trademark, we can help you defend your application.
  • Trademark searches: We conduct thorough searches to ensure your trademark is unique and available.
  • Trademark renewals: We manage the renewal process to keep your trademark active.
  • Trademark licensing: We assist with agreements to allow others to use your trademark.
  • Trademark enforcement: We help protect your trademark against infringement.
  • Trademark oppositions: We represent clients who wish to oppose the registration of a conflicting trademark.
  • Office actions: We prepare and file responses to official communications from the DPMA.
  • Ownership Transfers: We facilitate the legal transfer of trademark ownership, ensuring all DPMA requirements are met.
  • Cease and Desist Letters: We draft and send legally sound cease and desist letters to address trademark infringement, protecting your brand.

How we serve EU Clients in Germany:

For EU clients seeking trademark protection in Germany, we provide a seamless experience. Our Berlin-based team, combined with our EU-wide expertise, ensures that your application complies with both German and EU regulations. We handle all communications with the DPMA, and provide strategic advice on protecting your brand across the European market.

How Long Does Trademark Registration Take in Germany?

It usually takes several months. The process includes:

  • Submitting your application.
  • Checking it against the rules.
  • Publishing it.
  • A three-month period for objections.
  • A final decision.

If your application is rejected, we can help you appeal. We recommend doing a thorough search before applying to avoid problems.

Registering a Logo in Germany

You can register your logo as a trademark. You’ll need:

  • A copy of the logo.
  • The colors of the logo.
  • Your identification.
  • The correct categories.
  • Your signature.

Tips for Registering your Trademark in Germany

  • Protect your brand’s value by registering your trademark.
  • Start the process early to avoid problems.
  • Think about your plans to expand into other countries.

Client Testimonials

  • “Tsaks Consulting, particularly their team in Berlin, made the process of registering our trademark in Germany incredibly smooth. Their expertise with the DPMA was invaluable.” – A. Schmidt, German Startup
  • “As an EU-based company, we needed to secure our trademark across Germany. Tsaks Consulting provided clear guidance and efficient service. We are very pleased with the outcome.” – L. Dupont, French Manufacturing Company
  • “We are an international company and needed to register our trademark in Germany. Tsaks Consulting’s team made it easy to navigate the German trademark system. They were very professional and responsive.” – K. Tanaka, Japanese Technology Firm
  • “The Tsaks team helped us understand all the nuances of German trademark law, and their local presence was a huge advantage. They made a daunting process simple.” – M. Bauer, German Retailer

Contact our team today to talk about your next trademark application and how we can assist