An international company that mainly needs protection in France can file a French trademark with the INPI, while a business that needs one registration covering all EU countries can consider an EU trade mark through the EUIPO. The right route depends on where the brand will be used, the goods or services to protect, earlier rights, budget and expansion plans. A company registration or domain name does not replace trademark protection.
What is the difference between an INPI trademark and an EU trade mark?
A French trademark filed with the Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI) gives protection in France for the goods and services covered by the registration. An EU trade mark filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is a unitary right that, if registered, is valid across all EU Member States.
The wider territorial scope of an EU trade mark can be attractive for a business that already sells across several EU markets. If France is the only market that needs protection at the start, a national filing can be the more targeted route.
| Question | French trademark (INPI) | EU trade mark (EUIPO) |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | France | All EU Member States as one unitary right |
| Basic online filing fee | EUR 190 for one class | EUR 850 for one class |
| Additional classes | EUR 40 per additional class | EUR 50 for the second class; EUR 150 for each class from the third |
| Typical use | France-focused protection | Multi-country EU brand strategy |
These official filing fees were checked in September 2026. They do not include professional advice, searches or preparation work, and should be rechecked immediately before filing.
Does registering a company name protect the brand?
No. Company formation and trademark protection solve different problems. Registering a French company creates the legal entity and its corporate name, but it does not automatically create the same exclusive rights as a registered trademark for the sign used on products or services. A domain name or marketplace seller name is also not a substitute for a trademark registration.
If the French entity is not yet formed, decide who should own the trademark before filing. Depending on the group structure, the owner may be the French company, a parent company or another group entity. Foreign founders can review the company formation guide and company formation service separately from the brand-protection workstream.
How do you choose the correct trademark classes?
Trademark protection is linked to the goods and services listed in the application. The Nice Classification organises them into 45 classes, but selecting class numbers alone is not enough. The wording should reflect what the business actually needs to protect and realistic near-term extensions of the same brand.
- List the products and services sold now.
- Identify realistic near-term extensions.
- Match the activities to the appropriate Nice classes and accepted terms.
- Avoid adding broad classes only because they appear inexpensive.
- Check whether one sign will be used across several product or service families.
Overly narrow wording can leave gaps, while an unfocused specification can create cost and complexity without useful protection. Settle the filing scope before the application is submitted.
Do you need a trademark search before filing?
A search can identify earlier rights that may create a conflict. INPI provides access to trademark data through DATA INPI and also describes similarity-search services that go beyond an exact-name search. Earlier French, EU and international marks can all be relevant to a filing in France.
A practical clearance review should consider visual, phonetic and conceptual similarity, not only identical spelling. It should also consider whether earlier rights cover related goods or services. A clean identical-name search therefore does not guarantee that the application is risk-free.
What happens after a French trademark is filed?
The INPI application is filed online, examined and published. After publication in the Bulletin officiel de la propriété industrielle (BOPI), third parties have a two-month period to oppose a French trademark application. INPI can also raise issues during examination that require a response or correction.
A filing receipt is therefore not a final registration certificate. Businesses planning a major launch should leave enough time for examination and possible objections rather than assuming the brand is fully registered on the filing day.
When is an EU trade mark the better route?
The EUIPO route is worth considering when the commercial plan genuinely covers several EU countries and the business wants one right administered through one system. EUIPO states that an EU trade mark is valid throughout the EU for 10 years and can be renewed in 10-year periods.
A wider filing is not automatically better. A France-first business may prefer a national application and expand later. If an earlier application has already been filed in another eligible country, priority rules can in some cases preserve the earlier filing date when extension is made within six months. The exact conditions should be checked for the specific filing sequence.
What should be prepared before filing?
- Confirm the exact sign to protect.
- Decide which entity or person should own the trademark.
- Choose the territories that match the commercial plan.
- Prepare the goods-and-services specification and Nice classes.
- Search relevant earlier rights and assess conflict risks.
- File through INPI or EUIPO and pay the official fee.
- Monitor examination, publication and any opposition or objection.
- Keep ownership and contact details current after registration.
Francosetup's trademark registration service for France and the EU can help international businesses organise the territory, classes, pre-search, filing and follow-up.
Common questions about trademark registration in France
Can a foreign company own a French trademark?
Yes. A foreign company can own trademark rights in France. Representation requirements can depend on the applicant's location and the procedure involved, so the filing setup should be checked before submission.
Is a company name registration enough?
No. Corporate-name registration and trademark registration are separate mechanisms.
How much does a French trademark filing cost?
INPI currently lists EUR 190 for one class, plus EUR 40 for each additional class.
How much does an EU trade mark cost?
EUIPO currently lists EUR 850 for the first class, EUR 50 for the second class and EUR 150 for each class from the third.
Does filing mean the trademark is registered immediately?
No. Filing starts the procedure. Examination, publication and possible third-party opposition still follow before final registration.