ONE STOP FOR CLEARANCE, PROSECUTION, ENFORCEMENT & LITIGATION
GOMIS & LACKER is a Paris-based trademark law firm. Our French trademark attorneys help clients secure and enforce their distinctive signs in France and the European Union. We define filing strategies and enforcement policies for trademarks and domain names. Efficiently protecting these intellectual property assets provides a competitive advantage and secures your business.
GOMIS & LACKER handles trademark prosecution, clearance (prior rights searches), registrability assessments, and due diligence, as well as the global management of trademark and design portfolios.
If litigation is required, GOMIS & LACKER assists and represents its clients before the French PTO (INPI), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), French jurisdictions (District Court, Commercial Court, Court of Appeals), and in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures (such as UDRP or mediation).
CLEARANCE AND PROSECUTION OF TRADEMARKS, DESIGNS AND MODELS
- Management of trademark portfolios (French trademarks, EU trademarks, International trademarks, and foreign trademarks through local counsel)
- Strategic counsel and trademark optimization (priority, seniority, conversion…)
- Clearance and trademark searches
- French trademark filing at INPI, EU trademark filing at EUIPO, international filing through WIPO Madrid System, and prosecution (responses to Office Actions…)
- Recordal of trademark assignments, mergers, and changes of name at INPI and EUIPO, as well as licenses, limitations, pledges, and liens
- Due diligence of intellectual property assets
ENFORCEMENT OF TRADEMARKS, DESIGNS, MODELS, PATENTS AND DOMAIN NAMES
- Enforcement (cease and desist letters, negotiation, drafting of settlement agreements)
- Litigation before all French jurisdictions (including urgent proceedings): District Court, Commercial Court, Court of Appeals
- Enforcement of well-known trademarks against dilution and generic use
- Cybersquatting (identity theft, typosquatting…)
- Expert proceedings, ex parte proceedings, motions
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE FRENCH PTO (INPI) AND EUIPO
- Opposition proceedings before the French PTO (INPI)
- Opposition proceedings before EUIPO (Opposition Division and Boards of Appeal)
- Cancellation and invalidity actions before EUIPO
CONTRACTS RELATING TO TRADEMARKS AND OTHER IP ASSETS
- Trademark assignments
- Trademark licenses
- Negotiation and acquisition of trademarks and domain names
- Coexistence agreements
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does EU trademark registration take?
If no opposition is filed, an EU trademark registration at EUIPO typically takes 4 to 5 months from filing to registration. If an opposition is filed, the process can take 18 to 24 months or longer.
What is the cost of filing a trademark in France?
Official fees at INPI start at €190 for one class, with €40 for each additional class. Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity of the filing and preliminary searches required.
Can a foreign company file a trademark in France?
Yes, foreign companies can file trademarks directly at INPI without a local representative. However, for EUIPO filings, applicants without an establishment in the EU must be represented by a qualified EU trademark attorney.
How long is a trademark valid in France and the EU?
Both French national trademarks and EU trademarks are valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods.