World Intellectual Property Review e-Digest 2012

BENELUX

OPPOSITIONS IN THE BENELUX: TIME FOR A CHANGE

Dick Elberse Euromarks BV

The Benelux countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg— introduced oppositions in January 2004, which was later than most European countries. Now, after seven years of experience, we are able to evaluate the Benelux opposition system.

Opposition procedure

The minimum requirements to initiate an opposition procedure in the Benelux are:

• Timely filing of a completed opposition form (by fax or mail) by a company or natural person established within the EU, and for all others with the help of a local representative;

• Payment of the opposition fee (a minimum of 40 percent, therefore €400 of the total sum payable, before filing the opposition—the remainder is paid after the ‘cooling off ’ period); and

• In general, compliance with Rule 1.18 of the implementing regulations—non-compliance cannot be remedied.

T e term for fi ling an opposition is the same for national and international (Madrid) applications designating the Benelux, namely two months from the month of publication of an application in the Benelux Trademark Journal (for a national application), or in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Gazette (for an international application), ie, if the mark was published on February 14, the deadline for fi ling an opposition is May 1. Th is is going to change in the near future to three months from the date of publication.

Th e Benelux Offi ce for Intellectual Property (BOIP) will examine the fi led forms and verify that payment has been made. If all is in order, the offi ce will notify parties that the opposition is admissible and sets the terms for:

• Commencement of the adversarial period within two months of the notification, provided the remainder of the opposition fee has been paid within that term; and

56 World Intellectual Property Review e-Digest 2012

• Substantiation of grounds and arguments, including evidence by the opponent, within two months of the start of the adversarial period.

It is important to note that the only Rule 1.18 requirement that can be remedied is the language choice. If no choice is indicated, BOIP will notify parties that the language of the proceedings will be that of the applicant/defendant.

Grounds for opposition Opposition can be based on the following grounds:

• Identical trademarks and identical goods or services;

• Identical or similar trademarks and similar goods or services, where there exists a likelihood of confusion; and/or

• The newer trademark can cause confusion with a well-known trademark within the meaning of Article 6b of the Paris Convention.

This excludes, among other things, the following rights owners/ situations:

• Earlier trade names; • Earlier copyright; • Earlier geographical indication for wines and spirits; • Earlier design right (eg, for a typeface or logo);

• Earlier non-registered trademark or sign which is used in the course of trade of more than mere local importance;

• Earlier non-registered trademark (Benelux) against an application www.worldipreview.com

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