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How to draft a trademark’s list of goods and services – Nice classification

Filing a trademark application starts long before you fill in the form – it starts with the list of goods and services. Get the Nice Classification wrong, and even a registered mark can leave your brand unprotected where it matters most. Our trademark attorneys break down how the classification actually works, the most common drafting mistakes, and seven rules for building a list that holds up.

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What is a trademark and why should you protect it?

A company name, logo or advertising slogan is not just a branding element – it is a real business asset that can be lost if it is not properly protected. In this article we explain what a trademark is, how registration works step by step at the Polish Patent Office and EUIPO, and why it is worth consulting a trademark attorney before a competitor registers a similar sign first.

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How long trademark registration takes

Wondering how long it takes to register a trademark? We break down the process step by step, covering UPRP, EUIPO and WIPO filings, the opposition period, and what can slow things down. Find out why a trademark search matters and when it pays to work with a trademark attorney.

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Trademark cancellation – how it works

Your trademark registration doesn’t last forever if you’re not using it. Find out how trademark cancellation works in Poland and the EU, what non-use cancellation actually costs, and why it’s not the same as invalidation.

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Copyright law in Poland: a guide for creators and businesses

Every creator – whether a designer, developer, photographer or writer – is automatically protected by copyright under Polish law, without any registration or formality. But what exactly is protected, how long does protection last, and what happens when your rights are infringed? In this guide, PATENTBOX IP attorneys explain the key principles of Polish copyright law: moral and economic rights, neighbouring rights, remedies for infringement, licensing and the formal requirements for a valid assignment agreement. We also explain how copyright interacts with trademark registration to give your brand the strongest possible protection.

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Free trademark search – is it worth the risk?

Ads promise to “check your brand for free”, and the reply email lands the same day. The catch is that a free search answers the wrong question: it tells you whether an identical mark exists, not whether entering the market with your name will infringe someone else’s rights. We explain what you actually get for zero, why an identity-only search misses phonetic and conceptual conflicts, and how much a mistake can really cost.

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EU trademark registration – a complete guide for businesses

Thinking about registering your brand in Europe? Find out how EU trademark registration works – from clearance search to certificate – including costs, timelines, opposition risks, and why to “patent a logo” is not the right term.

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The requirement to use a trademark

After registration, the real work begins: to keep your rights alive you have to actually use your trademark. We explain the 5-year use requirement, who can challenge a mark for non-use, what counts as genuine use, and how the rules differ across Poland, the EU, the US and China.

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Trademark infringement in Poland: what it is, consequences, and how to act

Learn what constitutes trademark infringement in Poland, what the legal consequences are, and how to act – whether you are enforcing your rights or responding to a cease and desist letter.

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Moldova becomes 40th member state of the European Patent Organisation

On 1 June 2026 the Republic of Moldova became the 40th contracting state of the European Patent Organisation, the first former validation country to gain full EPC membership. Read what this means for European patent protection, validation and patent designation strategy across Europe.

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How to oppose a trademark in the EU – trademark opposition procedure before the EUIPO explained

A complete guide to opposing an EU trademark at EUIPO – grounds, the 3-month deadline, cooling-off period, proof of use, costs, and real case examples including Big Mac and Apple.

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How to get a patent in Europe: a complete guide

Learn how to get a patent in Europe with help from a qualified European patent attorney. Step-by-step guide covering the application process, costs, validation, and the Unitary Patent.

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Register a European Union Design (REUD): How to file an EU design to the EUIPO

How to file an EU design with EUIPO: requirements, official fees (from €350), deferment of publication explained, and examples of registered EU designs.

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How to validate a European Patent in Poland – a complete guide

Step-by-step guide to validating a European patent in Poland – deadlines, translations, fees, and why unitary effect does not cover Poland.

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Intellectual property – What is it and how does it protect your business?

Intellectual property rights protect your brand, inventions, and creative works. This guide explains the difference between copyright and industrial property law, covers trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and utility models, and shows you where and how to register your IP rights in Poland, the EU, and internationally.

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Industrial design registration – how to protect the look of your product?

Wondering how to protect your product’s unique look? Register an industrial design (wzór przemysłowy) in Poland via UPRP, EU-wide with EUIPO (REUD from 350 EUR, 2 weeks) or internationally via WIPO. Covers shapes, colours, ornaments – not technical functions. Compare with trademarks & patents. Expert advice from Patentbox attorneys.

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Scent trademarks and taste trademarks: Can you register a smell or a flavor?

Explore challenges of registering non-conventional scent and taste trademarks under Industrial Property Law. Sieckmann judgment analysis, single EU grass scent registration, failed strawberry & lily attempts.

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Trademark vs. registered design: key differences & when to use both

Not sure whether to register your logo as a trademark or a registered design? This guide compares both IP tools side by side — covering costs, protection scope, registration timelines, and legal requirements at the EUIPO and the UPRP — and explains when a combined strategy delivers maximum brand protection.

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Register a European Union trademark (EUTM): How to file an EU trademark

Register a European Union trademark (EUTM) with confidence. This guide explains how to file an EU trademark at EUIPO, choose the right Nice classification, manage the opposition period, and set up monitoring. See how PATENTBOX, a Polish trademark team, supports end-to-end filing and strategy.

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PATENTBOX in the WTR 1000 2026 rankings: Bronze recognition for Prosecution & Strategy

PATENTBOX Kancelaria Patentowa is proud to be mentioned in the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 2026 rankings, earning Bronze in Prosecution & Strategy. Discover what the WTR 1000 is, why it matters to brand owners, and how Barbara Suszczewicz and the PATENTBOX team were praised.

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Trademark registration cost in 2026 – EUIPO and Poland

Discover 2026 trademark registration costs for Poland (UPRP) and EU (EUIPO): detailed fees by Nice class, examples, attorney pricing, and stamp duty. Learn how to cut expenses with EUIPO SME Fund 75% refunds up to 700 EUR. Essential guide for businesses protecting brands – contact PATENTBOX experts today!

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SME Fund 2026: Grants for trademark and design applications – financial support for small and medium enterprises

A New Chapter for the SME Fund in 2026. Get up to 75% reimbursement for trademark and design filing fees. Learn eligibility, voucher types, and how to apply for EU grants

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Why was my trademark application rejected by the office?

Discover the top reasons for EUIPO and Polish Patent Office trademark refusals on absolute grounds, like descriptiveness and lack of distinctiveness. Learn how to avoid them and protect your brand effectively.

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Trademark monitoring: your brand’s early-warning system

Protect your trademark with professional monitoring services. Detect similar marks, file opposition within deadlines, and safeguard your brand identity. Learn why trademark monitoring is essential for brand protection.

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Christmas patents and industrial designs

Explore real Christmas inventions protected by patents and industrial designs: from US tree watering ornaments and smart holiday lights to EUIPO designs and Polish registrations. Understand why IP exclusivity blocks copycats, builds market advantage, and boosts company value.

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Poland trademark search – a complete guide to protecting your brand

Complete guide to Poland trademark search. Learn why professional trademark searches are essential before filing with the Polish Patent Office. Protect your brand from costly conflicts.

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Utility model example

Explore the concept of utility models as a practical form of IP protection for incremental technical innovations. This article highlights Polish utility model examples, explains the registration process, compares utility models with patents, and lists countries offering utility model protection according to WIPO.

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The “R symbol” in a circle ®

What does the ® symbol next to a logo or brand name mean? Discover the legal meaning of the registered trademark symbol, how it differs from the ™ and © signs, who is allowed to use it under Polish and EU law, and why correct use helps protect your brand identity.

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What is a Europan Patent? How to get it?

Discover how to obtain a European patent from a single application covering up to 39 countries. Learn about validation, the new unitary patent covering 18 EU states, detailed procedure steps, cost estimates, advantages, and why professional patent attorney support is vital for securing your invention in Europe.

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Right to a business name – company name protection under Polish law

Understand the right to a business name in Poland, its legal protection under the Civil Code, and remedies against infringement. Discover the importance of demonstrating market use and how trademark registration provides stronger protection and enforcement options across Poland and the EU.

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