FAQS - THE PRACTICAL, THE CURIOUS, AND THE IN-BETWEEN

Even if it’s never been done before, we’re on board.

We work with tech and SaaS, future-minded building projects, cutting-edge design, next-gen food, modern pet brands, lifestyle & wellbeing, and everything in between. If what you’re building is new, evolving, complex or unconventional, that's our comfort zone.

Not here. We don't expect you to speak legal, we speak founder. We translate every step, keep things practical, and shape the process around you.

And if you want to talk law in detail, we're fluent in that too.

Not with us. We do the heavy lifting, streamline every step and keep the paperwork off your plate. You get clarity, structure, and zero overwhelm.

Not at all. Brand and design protection doesn’t start after you’ve got five funding rounds behind your back. It’s for anyone building something they care about.

We've worked with solo founders, small teams, and big vision businesses. The needs are different at every stage of growth. Our process is designed to fit exactly where you are, and wherever you’re headed.

Only the good parts. 😉 You'll get structure, legal precision, and reliability, but it will never feel heavy. You’ll always know what’s happening and why. Our process adapts to your rhythm, not the other way around.

We're German where it counts. And human where it matters.

Absolutely. Trademark law is European, so you don’t have to work with someone local. You’re free to choose the expertise and the vibe that fit you best, no matter the location.

Just like you might go for French cuisine, Italian fashion, or Scandinavian design, you can choose your legal partner for their skill and style.

If you like German reliability and efficiency, paired with our founder-first & no-legal-fluff vibe, you’ll feel right at home with us.

We keep it simple. EU applications are are usually filed in English, unless there’s a strategic reason not to. For German filings, we handle any required translations for you. So wherever you’re based, the process is simple and accessible.

That’s exactly what we’re here for. We’ll talk through your plans, your market, and your goals, then recommend the trademark strategy that fits you best. Just reach out, we’ll figure it out together, so you can focus on building while we handle the legal roadmap.

And our strategy tip on trademark/design protection for those testing the waters might be useful for you too.

Yes. If you're expanding, rebranding, or want to strengthen your IP strategy across borders, we'll guide you through what makes sense next.

You don’t need to be based in the EU to register a trademark or design here. Founders from anywhere can apply for EU-wide or German protection.

If your headquarters is outside the EEA, you’ll simply need to appoint an authorized representative who meets the legal requirements, like us. Our firm is an officially accredited representative before key IP authorities:
• EUIPO – the European Union Intellectual Property Office in Alicante, Spain
• DPMA – the German Patent and Trademark Office in Munich, Germany
• WIPO – the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, Switzerland

We’re your partner on the ground, ready to open new doors for your brand and help make Europe yours.

An EU trademark or design is a powerful choice. It covers 27 countries, over 450 million consumers, and gives you access to the entire unified market with a single filing.

But if you’re just testing the waters and want a smart, strategic start, a German registration can be a great alternative. Germany is the third biggest economy in the world after the US and China, located in the heart of Europe. And it’s a central hub for growth and premium demand.

If you plan to sell, ship, or promote your brand in the EU, reach out anytime. We'll help you decide whether an EU-wide or German national trademark fits your needs best.

There are a few ways to register your trademark in another country: You can hire a law firm at home that works internationally, go through a trusted agency that handles global filings, or work directly with a law firm in the region where you want protection.

All three are solid ways to get the job done. But working directly means local expertise and straightforward communication without extra layers – like buying from the local farmer, not after it’s been around the block to the grocery aisle. You get fresh answers, fast support, and a direct connection to the market you’re entering.

Not at all. We’re used to working with international founders across continents and time zones. We work primarily in English, communication is digital and quick, and our process is startup-friendly from start to finish. You get clear updates, fast answers, and your application is in expert hands.

EU trademark: For a straightforward application, the formal examination by EUIPO typically takes 3–4 months. We tailor your application for Fast Track eligibility whenever possible, which can accelerate approval to just 1–2 months. After registration, there’s a 3-month window for third parties to file an opposition.

German trademark: Processing usually takes 2–3 months via the DPMA, with a similar review process. Here too, a 3-month opposition period follows approval.

We handle all steps and keep you informed throughout the process, so you can focus on building your business. And getting started couldn't be easier: Our digital form is always open, or simply drop us an email, whatever feels right for you.

During the opposition period, other trademark owners can object to the registration of your mark if they believe your mark is too similar to theirs.

Though this stage is routine, the thought of someone objecting can feel unsettling. That´s normal. But you are not alone in this. If anything comes up, we're already on it – and by your side. We'll smooth it out and support you through every step. We monitor this stage for you, so you don't have to keep an eye on anything.

We specialize exclusively in serving startups and founders. We have deep understanding of the entrepreneurial journey from seed stage to scale-up.

Our unique offering includes full-service registration, transparent fixed pricing without surprises, and a founder-first approach. For everyone who loves smooth communication, getting started is truly simple: use our quick online form or reach out by email – whichever works best for you.

You're getting expert IP registration and you're connecting with someone who genuinely wants to see your ideas thrive. Get to know our story and philosophy.

You're not legally required to conduct a search, and some choose to file without one, accepting the calculated risk. That's a perfectly valid business decision when you understand the trade-offs.

The peace-of-mind approach: A pre-filing trademark search acts as your early warning system. This means, if you discover that your favorite name is already taken, you can adjust your brand strategy now, while you're still flexible and creative, rather than after you're committed and visible in the market.

We offer a comprehensive search covering both identical and confusingly similar marks – the intelligence that reveals real risks to your trademark registration.

Think of trademark classes as a way to sort the entire economy into 45 categories. Every product or service you offer has its place. Your trademark's protection only applies to the classes you pick.

Most startups usually start with 1-2 classes that cover their core business.

If you're a strategic thinker, here's the practical bit: Trademark law allows identical brand names to coexist if they're in different classes. For instance, while you own "LOEWE" for T-shirts, another company could own "LOEWE" for tech. For a stretegic brand protection approach, it often makes sense to grab a few extra classes upfront, especially for areas you plan to expand into. It's way easier (and cheaper) to drop an unused class later than to file a whole new trademark application down the line.

We'll help you identify which classes fit your current business and map out where you want to be, creating a formal list of goods and services that covers what you need.

If you want a bit of inspiration, we´ve created an interactive trademark classes guide with common industry clusters. It´s a great starting point to see where your brand fits.

Our all-inclusive-no-surprises pricing covers: full registration process, official legal representation, formal and legal compliance check, goods and services list, all EUIPO/DPMA formalities, all legal and official fees for the application process & the first 10 years of protection, and even 1 reply to any office action during the registration process.

EU Trademark: €1,540 for trademarking your brand + 1 class
German Trademark: €980 for trademarking your brand + 1 class
All prices include official fees and professional services. Additional VAT may apply depending on your location.

Additional classes and trademark search available as optional add-ons with transparent pricing.

Your comfort comes first: Whether you like things smooth and digital or prefer a classic email, you're welcome to start the way that feels best for you.

That's okay. Ideas evolve and protection can, too. We'll help you set the right foundation now, with some space to grow. And should you rebrand later, we´re here to secure your brand´s new identity as well.

Yes, it’s possible to register both types of trademarks, and especially for growing businesses, this can be a smart strategic move.

An EU trademark is a powerful choice. It covers 27 countries, over 450 million consumers, and gives you access to the entire unified market with a single filing. A German trademark is a strong, cost-effective alternative. Germany is the third biggest economy in the world after the US and China, located in the heart of Europe. And it’s a central hub for growth and premium demand.

Many startups opt for a layered approach: starting with a German trademark for solid initial protection at lower fees, and later adding EU trademark protection as their business grows. This strategy balances budget, reach, and long-term positioning.

Surprisingly much. Design registration covers the unique look of almost anything you can touch or see, the distinctive character of nearly any physical creation.

This includes:
• Entire products, like furniture, fashion, electronics, and even the smallest household items
• 3D shapes, like the sleek shape of a smart speaker, the sculpted body of a chair, or the curves of a sports car
• Signature details, such as the shape of a button, the stitching on a sneaker, the buckle on a bag, or signature elements of a car´s interior design
• Distinctive packaging, from a perfume bottle to an energy drink can, including unique lines and contours, icons and badges
• Unique material mixes, color combinations, and surface patterns, like the statement pattern of a yoga mat or the characteristic ridges on a chocolate bar.

→ If your design turns heads, odds are it’s worth protecting. The law’s on your side.

Game-changer for digital designs 2025: The new EU design law now explicitly covers digital designs and user experience flows. This is huge for startups in tech, apps, and digital products.
More about that in our FAQ What's new with 2025 EU design law for digital products? ↓

The ™ overlap zone: Trademark and design rights aren't mutually exclusive. For distinctive visual elements of your hero product, consider both. Layering trademark and design protection is often smart.
Find out more in our FAQ How is design protection different from trademark protection? ↓

Major update effective May 2025: The EU has revolutionized design protection for the digital age. This is the biggest change in 20+ years, recognizing the growing economic significance and creative effort involved in digital creations.

Expanded definition of "design" and "product" and what that means for tech, gaming, and SaaS startups:
The new EU Design law is crucial for digital products like user interfaces (UIs), apps, and virtual environments where the design is digital and dynamic. The latest updates are a game-changer for tech and SaaS startups, as they now have explicit protection for digital designs. The increased legal certainty inherently adds value to digital designs as intellectual property, making them more tangible and defensible assets for businesses.

EU Design Registration now explicitly covers:
• Non-physical products, like website layouts and visual elements, app design, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), icon, graphics, symbols, virtual objects
• Animation and movement: Dynamic and evolving elements, like loading animations, hover effects, animated transitions, interactive elements, UI transitions and other moving parts of an UI
• Gaming, Metaverse and an extra layer of protection to NFTs: Augmented reality designs (AR), game environments, virtual world objects, character skins, item designs and virtual clothing, NFT-authenticated visual digital items
• Touch User Interfaces (TUI) and UI/UX designs such as e.g. Tesla's touchscreen interface design, or Spotify's unique playlist visualization

Key takeaway for tech startups: If you're creating digital assets, building apps, SaaS tools, or digital products, your digital and visual interface designs now get the same level of protection as physical product design. This levels the playing field for tech startups and leads to a greater adoption of design protection for digital assets. It significantly increases the value, perception and significance of digital assets, bringing them closer to parity with physical assets.

Design protection covers how your product looks – its visual appearance and aesthetic features. Trademark protection covers how customers identify your brand – names, logos, and distinctive features that point to your business as the source.

Simply put:
Design = "This chair's design is exceptionally unique"
Trademark = "This chair´s a Roche Bobois"

The duration of protection differs: While design protection lasts for up to 25 years, trademarks can last forever, as long as you renew them once a decade.

And what many don´t know: Trademark and design rights aren't mutually exclusive. For distinctive elements of your company´s visual DNA, consider both. Layering trademark and design protection is often smart.

Registration is quicker than you’d expect. The EU Design registration process typically takes 1-2 months, while it can incredibly fast (a few days only) if the requirements for the accelerated Fast Track procedure are met. The German Design registration process takes usually about 4 weeks.

Protection: A registered design grants protection for up to 25 years, renewable in 5-year periods.

Getting started is effortless: choose our online form for a quick start or send us an email if you prefer.

Absolutely. That´s the ideal timing: File your design application before any public reveal – this includes pitches, trade shows, social media teasers, or even beta tests.

Why timing matters: To be protected, designs must be both unique and new. Showing it publicly before filing means it’s no longer “new” and you could lose the right to register it.

The 12-month grace period: If you do make your design public (even accidentally), you still have 12 months to file in the EU. But don’t gamble on this, file first whenever you can.

Design Protection timing tips for founders:
Development stage: Keep designs confidential, use NDAs if you need to share.
Pre-launch: This is your golden window to file for protection.
Launch: If you’ve already gone public, the 12-month grace period applies. Protection is still possible, but don´t let the easy-ride fast followers catch up.

Our all-inclusive-no-surprises pricing covers: full registration process, professional legal representation, formal and legal compliance check, assessment of visuals, protection scope & support with optimization, all EUIPO/DPMA formalities, all legal and official fees for the application process & the first 5 years of protection, and even 1 reply to any office note or objection during the registration process.

EU Design Registration: 940EUR | German Design Registration: 650 EUR
All prices include official fees and professional services. Additional VAT may apply depending on your location.

Perfect for startups: We specialize in digital and physical product designs for founders. Whether you're protecting an app interface, a physical product, or both – we understand your world and make the process simple.

For those who like things smooth and digital: Our online form is just a click away, or if you prefer, you can simply reach out by email.

Absolutely. Meet the new Ⓓ symbol for EU Designs. Starting May 1, 2025, you can use the Ⓓ symbol, officially called ‘the design notice’. It´s the design world’s answer to ® for trademarks and a long-awaited move that finally gives designs their own mark.

Is there a strict official format I must use?
The EU guidelines allow for some flexibility, so you can adapt the symbol’s appearance, like size, placement, or line weight, to fit your product´s look. Just one non-negotiable: It must always remain unmistakably the Ⓓ.

You can also pair the symbol with with a text protection notice (optional). The most common versions are:
"Registered EU Design"
"Registered Design"
"EUD No. 001234567-0001" (your actual registration number)

Where to place it: On your product, packaging, website, marketing materials – anywhere your registered design is used and visible.

Standard Version
Bold and prominent

Sleek Version
Thinner, more elegant

Save & Try: These symbols are available for download. Right-click to save, and try them on your mockups to see which style works best with your brand identity.
A brief heads-up: Real-world use should wait until your EU Design Registration is official. Using the symbol publicly before you have your certificate in hand can cause issues.

Special Tips for US and Canadian Startups Expanding to Europe

What US startups expanding to Europe need to know:
It’s common in the States to use IP marking like ´U.S. Design Patent No. 1,234,567´ to indicate design protection. However, if you’re expanding into Europe with an EU registered design, avoid using the term “design patent” in your product marking, as this term has been found misleading by some EU courts and can even lead to penalties. For EU design protection, use “Registered Design” or one of the variations above to clearly signal your design rights in Europe.

For Canadian startups growing into Europe:
In Canada industrial design marking is crucial for securing compensation in case of infringement. And it comes with very specific requirements, like using the design symbol Ⓓ followed by the company name and the registration number (e.g., Ⓓ ABC Corp., Canadian Industrial Design Regn. No. 123456). In the EU, these requirements are much more flexible. There’s no mandatory product marking to enforce your EU IP rights. And if you choose to add an IP notice, you have more freedom to tailor it to your branding and audience.

We keep it straightforward. It works a lot like booking a hotel: You pick your room, add your favorite extras like breakfast & late checkout, then you get the total price before you commit.

It's the same with us: First, you share the details and tell us what you want to protect. For trademarks, that's what you'll offer under your brand; for designs, it's your visuals and the product indication. We guide you through your options and help you select the trademark classes (market coverage) or design application type (protection scope) that fit your plans and budget.

When you're happy with your selection, we send you a clear invoice and get your protection filed as soon as payment comes through. No hidden fees, no surprises.

VAT (Value Added Tax) rules depend on where you're based and whether you're ordering as a business or private person. Here's how it works:

If you're based in Germany:
• Private person: Standard German VAT (19%) is added to your invoice.
• Business: Standard German VAT (19%) applies. If your business is VAT-registered, you can usually reclaim this VAT as input tax.

If you're based in another EU country:
• Private person: Standard German VAT (19%) is added.
• Business: If you provide a valid VAT number, we invoice without German VAT (reverse charge rule applies).

If you're based outside the EU:
• Private person: No German VAT applies.
• Business: No German VAT applies.

If you have questions or need to clarify your specific situation, just ask. We're happy to help you make sense of it.

Whatever works best for you. All common payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, Google Pay are accepted.

Absolutely. You'll receive a clear, itemized invoice for every payment, so you always know exactly what you're paying for.

No hidden fees, ever. The price we quote is the price you pay, full stop. If anything extra is ever needed, you'll always be informed before you decide.