Press release from ALDE: European Parliament backs key trade mark reform for European businesses and citizens

The European Parliament today backed by an overwhelming majority the report drafted by ALDE MEP Cecilia Wikström on the trade mark reform package (regulation and directive). The adopted text will modernise EU trade mark registration systems - available in parallel to national registrations - by making them more accessible for both citizens and businesses, lowering the costs, increasing legal certainty and reducing the length of the legal procedure businesses have to face when registering a new mark. The modernisation and reform of the current EU trade mark system will also bring more transparency and facilitate the fight against counterfeit goods.

Cecilia Wikström, ALDE rapporteur, said: “The trade mark system in Europe functions well but is in need of a modernisation. The parliament has consistently kept the users of the system at the forefront of the discussion and we are glad to see a system that will provide a lot of added value for users”.

“The reforms that we are now agreeing to will not imply a revolution of the European trade mark system but will bring the legislation in line with the times we are living in. The new rules will allow better protection for rights holders through a strengthening of both the national and European trade mark systems. At the same time we have safeguarded public interests such as the right of parody and the access to generic medicines for developing countries“.

The Directive on the laws of Member States relating to trademarks and the Regulation on the EU trade mark will enter into force 20 and 90 days, respectively, after publication in the Official Journal. The reform will thereby be completed by mid-2016.