Your guide to IP in Europe.
Date: 2019-10-09
Institutions: Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Subjects: Europe, access to information, competitiveness, innovation, intellectual property, patent, small and medium-sized enterprises, user guide

Your Guide to IP 
in Europe

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STAY AHEAD OF THE INNOVATION GAME
The essentials of IP protection in Europe

Intellectual property (IP) management is a key element in improving 

the  competitiveness  of  any  company.  Unfortunately,  small  and 

medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the time, resources, or 

knowledge to address IP matters.

CONTENTS

This guide aims at providing answers to some of the main IP issues 

often  faced  by  SMEs.  It  has  been  developed  on  the  basis  of  the 

1. Trade marks

answers  provided  by  the  European  IP  Helpdesk  to  some  of  the 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) submitted by users through the 

2. Industrial designs

European  IP  Helpdesk  website  and  Helpline.  Moreover,  it  refers  to 

3. Patents

several  reference  documents,  which  are  listed  at  the  end  of  each 

section for further information. 

Each  section  of  this  guide  is  dedicated  to  one  specific  IP  right, 

covering  essential  aspects  around  its  regulation  in  Europe  as  well 

4. Utility models

5. Trade secrets

6. Copyright

as some additional questions which, based on the experience of the 

7. Databases

European IP Helpdesk, are of interest to European SMEs.

This guide is making no claim to be exhaustive and is not an official 
document of the European Commission. It is provided as a service of 

the European IP Helpdesk.

8. Domain names

9. Geographical indications

The European IP Helpdesk

4

12

18

24

28

32

38

44

50

57

3

The European IP HelpdeskYour Guide to IP in Europe?

What is a trade mark?
A trade mark is an exclusive right over the use of a sign in relation to the 

goods  and  services  for  which  it  is  registered.  Trade  marks  consist  of 

signs capable of distinguishing the products (either goods or services) of 

a trader from those of others. Such signs include:

Words                                                  Berg

Personal Names               Peter Peters

Logos     

Numbers                                                1

Letters                                                PB

Colours                                             

3

1

2

Shape/Packaging of Goods

Sounds

The main function of a trade mark is to identify the commercial origin 

of a product. Besides, trade marks convey a message about the quality 

of a product, thus facilitating consumers’ choice. Furthermore, they are 

used  for  advertisement  purposes  and  can  function  as  an  investment 

instrument (e.g. they can be assigned, licensed, etc.).

?

What are the routes to trade mark registration?
Trade  mark  registration  can  be  performed  at  three  different  levels: 

national,  regional  and  international. The  best  route  usually  depends  on 

the applicant’s target markets, business and financial capabilities, as well 

as commercial expectations.

1   EU figurative (logo) trade mark no. 1210187, owned by Bayerische Motoren Werke  
  Aktiengesellschaft.  
2   EU shape trade mark no. 008566176, owned by Intercontinental Great Brands LLC. 
3   EU colour trade mark no. 000031336, owned by Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding  
  GmbH.

5

1. Trade marks

•  What is a trade mark?
•  What are the routes to trade mark registration?
•  What are the requirements for trade mark registration?
•  What kind of protection do trade marks confer?
•  What is the obligation of use?
•  What is a trade name?

Trade marksThe European IP HelpdeskNational route
Registration  takes  place  at  national  IP  offices  and 

by the national IP offices of the countries selected by the applicant for it 

to be effective in those countries. Therefore, an international application 

NIPO

protection is obtained only in the territory where the trade 

may be successful in some designated territories and refused in others. 

mark is registered.

Regional route (EUTM)
Trade  mark  protection  at  EU  level  can  be  obtained 

by  registration  of  an  EU  trade  mark  (EUTM)  at  the 

European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). 

EUIPO

?

What  are  the  main  requirements  for  trade  mark 
registration?

Clear and precise representation
The sign whose registration as a trade mark is sought must be capable 

of  being  represented  in  a  manner  that  enables  the  subject  matter  of 

The application procedure is simple, with a single set of fees and in the 

protection to be determined with clarity and precision.

official language of any Member State plus one of the following: English, 

French, Spanish, German or Italian. It covers the territory of all Member 

States. Any natural person or legal entity from any country in the world 

can apply for an EUTM.

International route (Madrid System)
The  World  Intellectual  Property  Organization  (WIPO) 

international  trade  mark  registration  system  (known  as 

WIPO

the  Madrid  System)  allows  users  to  obtain  trade  mark 

protection  in  more  than  100  territories  by  filing  a  single 

application in one language and paying a single set of fees. The applicant 

must either have a business in, be domiciled in, or be a national of any 

territory that is a party to the Madrid System. 

ü  
û  

a word, a logo, a music sheet…

smell of clouds.

Distinctiveness
The sign whose registration as a trade mark is sought must be capable 

of distinguishing the goods or services bearing the trade mark from those 

of other traders.

ü  
û  

“BANANA” in relation to clothing.

“BANANA” in relation to bananas.

Non-deceptiveness
The sign whose registration as a trade mark is sought must not deceive 

the public, for instance, as to the nature, quality or geographical origin of 

the goods or services.

This  application  has  an  international  character;  however,  national  laws 

û  

“GLUTENFREE” for a product that contains gluten.

govern the registration in each territory. A granted international trade mark 

is  therefore  a  “bundle”  of  national  trade  marks  that  must  be  validated 

7

Trade marksThe European IP Helpdesk 
Non-descriptiveness
The sign whose registration as a trade mark is sought must not serve to 

Territorial protection
Trade marks are territorial in nature, which means that trade mark rights 

designate the characteristics of the goods or services bearing the mark, 

are  granted  and  enforceable  within  the  geographical  boundaries  of  the 

such as their kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical 

country or region where they are registered.

origin, etc.
û  

“BANK” for financial services.

Non-customary in the language
The sign whose registration as a trade mark is sought must not be a sign 

Protection for goods and services 
Registration  is  always  performed  in  one  or  more  classes  of  specific 

goods and/or services, which should correspond to those goods and/or 

services commercialised by its owner. The classes for goods and services 

or indication which has become customary in the current language or in 

are established by the Nice International Agreement on the International 

the good faith and established practices of the trade.

Classification  of  Goods  and  Services,  an  international  agreement 

û  

“STIMULATION” for energy drinks.

administered by WIPO.

Non-contrary to public order and morality
The  sign  whose  registration  as  a  trade  mark  is  sought  must  not  be 

Duration of protection
Trade mark protection is limited in time: in most countries, protection lasts 

contrary to public policy or morality.

û  

“SCREW YOU”.

?

What kind of protection do trade marks confer?
The exclusive right conferred by a trade mark allows its owner to prevent 

for 10 years from the date of filing of the trade mark application and it can 

usually  be  renewed  indefinitely  for  periods  of  10  years.  This  protection 

may lapse if the renewal fees are not paid. Once a trade mark expires, 

protection ends, and anyone can use it in the course of trade in relation 

to  the  goods  and  services  covered  by  the  expired  trade  mark  without 

others from using the same or similar signs for identical or related goods 

infringing it.

and/or  services  as  those  protected  by  the  trade  mark  in  the  course  of 

trade, without the owner’s prior permission. The trade mark owner may 

sell its trade mark to someone else who will then become the new owner 

of the trade mark, or give permission to others to use the trade mark on 

mutually agreed terms (i.e. trade mark licensing agreement).

10 years

10 years x ∞

Registration
(Filing)

Renewals
(optional)

9

Trade marksThe European IP Helpdesk?

?

What is the obligation of use?
In  order  to  maintain  registration,  trade  marks  need  to  be  used  in  the 

consumer society in relation to the goods or services for which they are 

registered.  This  obligation,  which  has  been  adopted  in  most  countries, 

means that if within a period of time after registration (5 years for EUTMs) 

a  trade  mark  owner  does  not  use  the  trade  mark,  they  will  lose  their 

exclusive  right,  and  therefore  third  parties  will  be  able  to  use  and  to 

register the “unused” trade mark for the same goods and services.

What is a trade name?
Trade  names  and  trade  marks  are  different  things  and  must  not  be 

confused. A trade name is simply the name of a company or business 

and its only function is to identify that company or business. On the other 

hand, as explained above, a trade mark’s function is to identify the origin 

of  the  trader’s  products  or  services,  distinguishing  them  from  those  of 

other traders.

While  trade  names  can  be  trade  marks  and  vice  versa,  they  are  not 

automatically  interchangeable.  The  way  in  which  they  are  used  will 

determine  whether  they  are trade names or trade marks. For example, 

trade  names  are  usually  words  and  not  logos,  which  are  not  used  in 

connection to the products or services commercialised by the company in 

question, except when a company name and trade mark are coincidental.

E.g.  “Smith  and  Clark  Limited”  could  be  the  trade  name  of  a 
fashion  company  and  “BANGIO”  the  trade  mark  used  by  such 
company to commercialise shoes.

Further Information

Fact Sheets
How to Search for Trade Marks
Commercialising Intellectual Property: Assignment Agreements

IPR Charts
IPR Chart on EU Trade Mark
IPR Chart on International Trade Mark (Madrid System)

Guide
Your Guide to IP Commercialisation

All these documents can be found in our library.

Useful Documents
Guide to the International Registration of Marks under the Madrid 
Agreement and the Madrid Protocol
Trade Mark Basics Fact Sheets (INTA)
Trade Mark Basics in the European Union
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use

11

Trade marksThe European IP Helpdesk?

?

What is an industrial design?
An industrial design is the outward appearance of the whole or part of a 

product  resulting  from  the  features  of,  in  particular,  the  lines,  contours, 

colours,  shape,  texture  and/or  materials  of  the  product  itself  and/or  its 

ornamentation. An example of a protectable designs is: 

4

What are the routes to design protection?
Designs  can  be  protected  by  different  means:  through  a  registration 

system, through a system of non-registration and through copyright.

Registration can be obtained at three different levels: national, regional 

and international. The best route usually depends on the markets in which 

the applicant intends to operate.

National route
Registration  takes  place  at  national  IP  offices  and 

protection  is  obtained  only  in  the  territory  where  the 

design is registered.

NIPO

Regional route (RCD and UCD)
Industrial design protection at EU level can be obtained 

either through registration or not:

EUIPO

4   EU design no. 002384685-0002, owned by Lifetime Brands Europe Limited. 

13

2. Industrial designs

•  What is an industrial design?
•  What are the routes to design protection?
•  What are the requirements for design registration?
•  What kind of protection do designs confer?

Industrial designsThe European IP HelpdeskRegistered Community Design (RCD)
Design protection at EU level can be obtained by registration of an RCD 

at the EUIPO. The application procedure is simple, with a single set of 

application may be successful in some designated territories and refused 

in others.

fees  and  in  the  official  language  of  any  Member  State  plus  one  of  the 

?

What are the requirements for design registration?

following:  English,  French,  Spanish,  German  and  Italian.  It  covers  the 

territory  of  all  Member  States.  RCDs  can  be  applied  for  by  any  natural 

person or legal entity from any country in the world.

Unregistered Community Design (UCD)
This  type  of  protection  does  not  require  registration  and  protection  is 

obtained automatically for a period of three years from the design’s public 

disclosure within the EU. 

This route is commonly used in sectors where designs have a very short 

market life (e.g. fashion industry) as it is not a renewable right and does 

not entail any registration fees.

International route (the Hague System)
WIPO’s international design registration system (known 

as the Hague System) allows users to obtain a bundle 

of national designs in over 65 territories by filing a single 

WIPO

application in one language and paying a single set of 

Novelty
A design is considered to be new if it has not been disclosed to the public 

previously.

Individual character
Assessing individual character consists of verifying whether the overall 

impression produced by the design differs from the overall impression 

produced by the designs made available earlier.

Non-functionality
Those  features  of  the  design  that  are  dictated  solely  by  a  technical 

function do not receive protection.

?

What kind of protection do designs confer?
An RCD confers to its holder the exclusive right to use their design and 

to prevent third parties from using it commercially without prior consent. 

fees. This option may suit applicants who expect to operate in numerous 

An  UCD  only  protects  against  deliberate  copying,  in  other  words,  the 

territories. The applicant must either have a business in, or be domiciled 

design  owner  can  only  prevent  third  parties  from  making  a  commercial 

in or be a national of any territory that is part of the Hague System. 

use  of  their  design  if  it  has  been  copied  and  not  if  such  third  parties 

Although  this  application  has  an  international  character,  national  laws 

including  UCD  owners,  may  sell  their  design  to  someone  else,  who 

govern  the  registration  in  each  territory.  Therefore,  an  international 

will  then  become  the  new  owner  of  the  design,  or  give  permission  to 

have created a similar or identical design independently. Design owners, 

15

Industrial designsThe European IP Helpdeskothers to use the design on mutually agreed terms (i.e. design licensing 

3 years

agreement).

Territorial protection
Designs  are  territorial  in  nature,  which  means  that  design  rights  are 

granted  and  enforceable  within  the  geographical  boundaries  of  the 

country or region where they are registered.

Protection of the appearance of the product
Design protection covers the appearance of the whole or part of a product 

resulting from its aesthetical features which must not be solely dictated 

by their technical function.

Duration of protection
RCD protection is limited in time: 5 years from the date of the filing of a 

design application in most countries, which can be renewed for periods of 

five years, up to a total term of 25 years. The design may lapse earlier if 

the renewal fees are not paid.

5 years

5 years x (max. 4 times)

Public disclosure
(within EU)

Expiring date

Further Information

Fact Sheets
Design searching
Commercialising Intellectual Property: Assignment Agreements

IPR Charts
IPR Chart: Community Design
IPR Chart: International Design (Hague System)

Registration
(Filing)

Renewals
(optional)

Expiring date
(max. 25 years)

Guide
Your Guide to IP Commercialisation

UCD protection lasts for 3 years and cannot be renewed. Once a design 

expires, the protection ends and anyone can commercially use the design 

without infringing the expired one.

All these documents can be found in our library.

Useful Documents
Design Basics in the European Union
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use

17

Industrial designsThe European IP Helpdesk?

?

What is a patent?
A  patent  is  an  exclusive  right  granted  for  the  protection  of  inventions 

(products or processes) offering a new technical solution or facilitating 

a new way of doing something. The patent holder enjoys the exclusive 

right to prevent third parties from commercially exploiting their invention 

for a limited period of time. In return, the patent holder must disclose the 

invention to the public in the patent application.

What are the routes to patent protection?
Patent  registration  can  be  performed  at  three  different  levels:  national, 

regional and international (through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 

System).  The  best  route  usually  depends  on  the  territories  where  a 

company intends to exploit the patent.

National route
Registration  takes  place  at  national  IP  offices  and 

NIPO

protection  is  obtained  only  in  the  territory  where  the 

patent is registered.

Regional route (European patent)
A European patent can be obtained for all the European 

Patent  Convention  (EPC)  contracting  states  by  filing 

a  single  application,  under  a  single  set  of  fees  with 

the  European  Patent  Office  (EPO)  in  one  of  its  three 

EPO

official languages (English, French or German). This application has an 

international character; however, national laws govern the registration in 
each territory. A granted European patent is then a “bundle“ of national 

patents that must be validated at the national IP offices of the countries 

19

3. Patents

•  What is a patent?
•  What are the routes for patent protection?
•  What are the requirements to patent registration? 
•  What kind of protection do patents confer?
•  What is a unitary patent?
•  Can I patent a computer program?

PatentsThe European IP Helpdeskselected by the applicant for it to be effective.

International route (PCT)
WIPO administers the PCT system that allows users to 

obtain  patent  protection  in  more  than  150  territories  by 

filing a single application in one language and paying a 

WIPO

Industrial application
It must be capable of industrial application (i.e. it can be made or used 

in any kind of industry, including agriculture).

?

What kind of protection do patents confer?
The  exclusive  right  conferred  by  a  patent  allows  its  owner  to  prevent 

single  set  of  fees.  The  applicant  must  be  a  national  or 

others from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing a product 

resident of a PCT contracting state. This application has an international 

or a process based on the patented invention, without the owner’s prior 

character; however, national laws govern the registration in each territory. 

permission. The patent owner may give permission to others to use the 

Also  in  this  case,  the  applicant  will  then  obtain  a  “bundle”  of  national 

invention on mutually agreed terms (i.e. patent licensing agreement). The 

patents whose granting remains under the control of the relevant national 

owner may also sell the patent to someone else, who will then become 

or regional patent office.

the new owner of the patent.

Patent  procedures  demand  a  high  degree  of  technical  and 

legal  expertise.  It  is  strongly  advised  to  seek  professional 

assistance.

?

What are the requirements for patent registration? 

Novelty 
The invention must be new in comparison to the existing knowledge in 

Territorial protection
Patents are territorial in nature, which means that patent rights are granted 

and  enforceable  within  the  geographical  boundaries  of  the  country  or 

region where they are registered.

Duration of protection
Patent protection is limited in time: 20 years from the date of filing of the 

patent application in most countries. The patent may lapse earlier if the 

the relevant technical field -that is, not being part of the state of the art.

annual  fees  are  not  paid.  Once  a  patent  expires,  the  protection  ends, 

and anyone can commercially exploit the invention without infringing the 

Inventive step
The invention must be non-obvious, in other words, it cannot be deduced 

easily by a person with average knowledge in the relevant technical field.

patent.

20 years

Registration 
(Filing)

Expiring date

21

PatentsThe European IP Helpdesk?

What is a unitary patent?
A  European  patent  with  unitary  effect  (unitary  patent)  is  a  European 

Furthermore, as mentioned in section 6 of this Guide, computer programs 

receive copyright protection in Europe, as long as they comply with the 

patent granted by the EPO to which unitary effect in the territory of the 

requirements for copyright protection.

26 participating EU Member States (Spain and Croatia being the only 

EU  Member  States  that  do  not  take  part  in  this  scheme)  is  given  after 

grant,  at  the  patentee‘s  request.  Although  not  yet  in  force  when  this 

guide  is  being  written,  the  unitary  patent  will  provide  applicants  with  a 

means  for  obtaining  patent  rights  in  each  of  the  26  participating  states 

simultaneously  without  the  need  for national  validation  in  each  country, 

as it is the case for the European patent.

Once the unitary regime enters into force, patent applicants will be able to 

choose between various combinations of classical European patents and 

unitary patents, for example:

• 

• 

a unitary patent for the 26 Member States of the European Union 

which participate in the unitary patent scheme together with

a  classical  European  patent  taking  effect  in  one  or  more  EPC 

contracting states which do not participate in the scheme, such as 

Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, etc.

?

Can I patent a computer program?
Software patentability in Europe is excluded by law but the issue is under 

debate.  As  a  consequence,  a  computer  program  claimed  “as  such“  is 

not  a  patentable  invention.  Under  specific  conditions,  a  patent  could 

be  granted  for  a  computer-implemented  invention  where  a  technical 

problem is solved in a novel and non-obvious manner. Further information 

is available on the EPO website.

Further Information

Fact Sheets
Commercialising Intellectual Property: Assignment Agreements
Technology Licensing-in
Automatic Patent Analysis
Inventorship, Authorship and Ownership
Publishing v. Patenting
How to Search for Patent Information

Guide
Your Guide to IP Commercialisation

All these documents can be found in our library.

Useful Documents
How to Get a European Patent, Guide for Applicants
Inventors’ Handbook 
Patent Litigation in Europe
The PCT Applicant’s Guide
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use
EPO Unitary Patent Guide

23

PatentsThe European IP Helpdesk?

?

?

?

What is a utility model?
Also referred to as a “petty patent”, a utility model is an exclusive right 

granted for an invention, which allows its owner to prevent others from 

commercially  using  the  protected  invention,  without  their  authorisation, 

for a limited period of time.

What are the routes to utility model protection?
In the EU, utility models can be granted at national level in the following 

countries: Austria,  Bulgaria,  Czech  Republic,  Estonia,  Finland,  France, 

Germany,  Greece,  Ireland,  Italy,  Poland,  Portugal,  Slovakia  and  Spain. 

There is no European or international utility model protection.

What are the requirements for utility model registration? 
The  rules  for  utility  model  registration  vary  from  country  to  country. 

Consequently,  although  novelty  and  inventive  step  are  generally 

required, the conditions for utility model protection will vary depending on 

the applicable national legislation.

What kind of protection do utility models confer? 
The exclusive right conferred by a utility model generally allows its owner 

to prevent others from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing 

a  product  or  a  process  based  on  the  protected  invention,  without  the 

owner’s prior permission.

Territorial protection
Utility  models  are  territorial  in  nature,  which  means  that  the  exclusive 

rights are granted and enforceable within the geographical boundaries of 

the country where they are registered.

25

4. Utility models

•  What is a utility model?
•  What are the routes to utility model protection?
•  What are the requirements for utility model registration? 
•  What kind of protection do utility models confer? 
•  What  are  the  main  differences  between  utility  models 

and patents?

•  Can I convert a patent application into a utility model?

Utility modelsThe European IP HelpdeskDuration of protection
Utility  model  protection  is  limited  in  time.  Its  duration  varies  depending 

?

Can I convert a patent application into a utility model?
Many  countries  allow  the  conversion  of  a  patent  application  into  a 

on the applicable national legislation. In Europe, it generally lasts from 7 

utility  model  application  (or  vice  versa)  under  specific  conditions.  This 

to 10 years from the date of filing of the utility model application. Once 

mechanism  is  often  used  when  a  patent  application  is  refused  by  the 

a  utility  model  expires,  protection  ends,  and  anyone  has  the  right  to 

relevant IP office for lack of compliance with the patentability requirements 

commercially exploit the invention without infringing the utility model.

and the applicant decides to convert the patent application into a utility 

model application. 

from 7 to 10 years

Registration 
(Filing)

Expiring date

?

What  are  the  main  differences  between  utility  models 
and patents?
The main differences between utility models and patents are the following:

• 

The  requirements  for  acquiring  a  utility  model  are  less  stringent 

than  those  of  patents.  While  the  requirement  of  novelty  is  always 

to be met, that of inventive step or non-obviousness is much lower.  

Therefore, protection for utility models is often sought for inventions 

with a limited inventive step, which may not meet the patentability 

criteria.

• 

The term of protection for utility models is shorter than for patents 

and varies from country to country (usually between 7 and 10 years 

without the possibility of extension or renewal).

• 

The fees for obtaining and maintaining utility models are generally 

lower.

Further Information

Fact Sheets
Inventorship, Authorship and Ownership
Publishing v. Patenting
How to Search for Patent Information

All these documents can be found in our library.

27

Utility modelsThe European IP Helpdesk?

What is a trade secret?
Any  confidential  business 

information  providing  a  competitive 

advantage to an enterprise can be considered a trade secret. The type 

of information that can be protected as a trade secret is therefore highly 

diverse. 

It  can  include  know-how,  technical  knowledge  (potentially  protectable 

as  a  patent),  but  also  business  and  commercial  data  such  as  lists  of 

customers, business plans, recipes or manufacturing processes.

?

How are trade secrets protected?
Trade  secrets  do  not  require  administrative  or  procedural  formalities 

in  order  to  be  protected.  There  are,  however,  some  conditions  for  the 

information to be considered and, hence, be protected as a trade secret.

The information must:

• 

• 

• 

be secret, meaning that it is not generally known;

have commercial value due to its secrecy; and

have  been  subject  to  reasonable  measures,  by  the  person  in 

control of the information, to keep it secret.

These reasonable measures may include:

• 

• 

• 

storing confidential information safely;

concluding non-disclosure agreements where trade secrets must 

be discussed with business partners;

including  non-disclosure  clauses  within  agreements  such 

as  licence  agreements,  employment  agreements,  consortium 

29

5. Trade secrets

•  What is a trade secret?
•  How are trade secrets protected?
•  What kind of protection do trade secrets confer?
•  What is a non-disclosure agreement?

Trade secretsThe European IP Helpdeskagreements  or  partnership  agreements,  where  the  exchange  of 

one party disclosing information and one party receiving information, or 

confidential information is very likely and/or necessary.

“two-way” (also known as bilateral or mutual) when each party discloses 

?

What kind of protection do trade secrets confer?
Trade secrets do not confer “proprietary rights”, meaning that the holder 

of  a  trade  secret  does  not  have  exclusive  rights  over  the  information. 

However,  if  the  information  is  leaked  by  someone  under  the  obligation 

to  keep  it  confidential,  such  a  disclosure  would  constitute  a  breach  of 

contract allowing remedies for the trade secret holder.

Moreover,  if  a  person  obtains  the  trade  secret  by  dishonest  means 

(such as in the case of espionage), most European countries and all EU 

Member States offer protection under unfair competition laws.

Duration of protection
A trade secret can be protected for an unlimited period of time as far as 

the conditions for the information to be considered as a trade secret are 

fulfilled.

?

What is a non-disclosure agreement?
A  non-disclosure  agreement  (NDA),  also  called  a  confidentiality 

agreement, is a legally binding contract in which one party (the disclosing 

party)  agrees  to  give  a  second  party  (the  receiving  party)confidential 

information  and  the  latter  agrees  not  to  disclose  this  information  under 

the conditions set by the contract.

Depending  on  the  number  of  parties  disclosing  information,  non-

disclosure agreements may be “one-way” (also known as unilateral) with 

confidential information to the other. Sometimes NDAs can be multilateral 

agreements, with more than two parties involved.

Further Information

Fact Sheets
Trade secrets: An Efficient Tool for Competitiveness 
How to Manage Confidential Business Information
Non-Disclosure Agreement: A Business Tool

Guide
Your Guide to IP Commercialisation

Templates
Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement
One-Way Non-Disclosure Agreement
Non-Disclosure Agreements

Except for the Template “Non-Disclosure Agreements” all these documents 

can be found in our library.

Useful Documents
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use
Exchanging Value - Negotiating Technology Licensing Agreements: A 
Training Manual

31

Trade secretsThe European IP Helpdesk?

?

?

What is copyright?
Copyright (or author’s right) is the term used to describe the rights that 

creators  have  over  their  literary,  scientific  and  artistic  works.  There 

is  not  an  exhaustive  list  containing  the  works  that  can  be  protected  by 

copyright.  However,  there  is  a  number  of  works  usually  covered  by 

copyright at international level:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

literary works such as novels, poems, plays, newspaper 

articles; 

computer programs, databases;

films, musical compositions, and choreographies;

artistic works such as paintings, drawings, photographs, 

and sculptures;

architecture; and

advertisements, maps, and technical drawings.

Can ideas be protected by copyright?
No, ideas as such cannot obtain copyright protection. It is the expression 

of those ideas that can be copyrighted.

How does copyright arise?
Automatic protection
In the EU, copyright protection is obtained automatically from the moment 

when  the  work  is  created  and  no  registration  or  other  formality  is 

required.  However,  some  countries  allow  for  the  voluntary  registration/

deposit  of  works  protected  by  copyright.  Therefore,  registration  is  not 

constitutive of the right but can be useful in some situations (e.g. to solve 

disputes over ownership or creation, to facilitate financial transactions).

33

6. Copyright

•  What is copyright?
•  Can ideas be protected by copyright?
•  How does copyright arise?
•  What are the requirements to obtain copyright protection?
•  What kind of protection does copyright confer?
•  What are neighbouring rights?

CopyrightThe European IP HelpdeskCopyright notice
While  no  formalities  are  required  to  obtain  copyright  protection,  it  is 

common  practice  to  attach  a  copyright  notice  to  the  work,  such  as  the 

mention  “all  rights  reserved”  or  the  symbol  ©  together  with  the  year 

?

What kind of protection does copyright confer?

Territorial protection
Copyright is territorial and national in scope, therefore, the national laws 

in which the work has been created, to inform others of the existence of 

of  the  country  in  which  the  author  seeks  protection  apply.  However, 

copyright and therefore reduce the likelihood of infringement.

a  number  of  international  treaties  and  conventions  (e.g.  the  Berne 

?

What are the requirements to obtain copyright protection?
Although  copyright  is  regulated  at  national  level  and,  therefore,  the 

requirements can vary from one country to another, to qualify for copyright 

protection a work must in general:

Convention) allow authors to enjoy protection in several countries of the 

world including the EU Member States.

Scope of protection
The  Berne  Convention  grants  authors  a  series  of  rights  that  can  be 

classified into two categories:

• 

Be  original:  There  is  no  total  harmonisation  at  EU  level,  nor 

• 

Economic rights, which enable right holders to control the use of 

at  international  level  on  what  is  to  be  understood  by  “original”. 

their  works  and  be  remunerated  for  their  use,  by  selling  them  or 

However, based on EU case law, it can be said that the originality 

licensing them to others. They normally take the form of exclusive 

requirement is satisfied when the author expresses his creativity 

rights,  notably  to  authorise  or  prohibit  the  making  and  distribution 

by making free and creative choices, resulting in a work that reflects 

of  copies  as  well  as  communication  to  the  public.  They  are 

his personality. 

harmonised at EU level.

• 

Exist in some form: There is no harmonisation at EU level regarding 

• 

Moral  rights,  which  in  general  are  non-transferable,  include  the 

whether  the  work  has  to  be  fixed  in  a  material  form  in  order  to 

right of authors to claim authorship, as well as their right to object to 

receive  copyright  protection.  It  is  for  Member  States  to  freely 

a distortion or mutilation of their work, which would negatively affect 

prescribe that works in general or any specified categories of works 

their honour or reputation. They are not harmonised at EU level, 

shall not be protected unless they have been fixed in some material 

so their scope of protection may vary from one country to another.

form.  Therefore,  non-fixed  works  such  as  unrecorded  speeches, 

may  receive  protection  in  some  countries  but  not  in  others. 

Duration of protection
While moral rights have usually no time limit (they last forever), economic 

rights are limited in time. The Berne Convention establishes that economic 

35

CopyrightThe European IP Helpdesk 
rights must last at least during the author’s lifetime plus 50 years from his 

death. 

However, national legislations can provide longer protection (e.g. in  the 

EU, 70 years from author’s death).

Life of the author

Creation  
of the work

Death of the author
(+50 years)

?

What are neighbouring rights?
Neighbouring  rights,  also  known  as  media  rights  or  related  rights  are 

those rights, which, although related to copyright, have a specific subject 

matter  and  protect  the  interests  of  certain  right  holders  different  to  the 

work’s author, such as performers, producers (e.g. of films), broadcasting 

organisations and publishers.

These rights are regulated at international level by the Rome Convention, 

which establishes a term of protection of 20 years from the end of the year 

in  which  (i)  the  fixation  was  made  (for  phonograms  and  performances 

incorporated in them), (ii) the performance took place, (iii) the broadcast 

took place. 

+ 50 years

Expiring date

Fixation/ 
Performance/
Broadcast

However,  national 

laws  usually 

provide for a longer term of protection 

(e.g.  50-year  term  for  phonograms 

and performances in the EU).

Further Information

Fact Sheets
Copyright Essentials
Inventorship, Authorship and Ownership
IPR Management in Software Development
Technology Licensing-in

Guide
Your Guide to IP Commercialisation

Useful Document
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use 

Except for the “WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook” all these documents 
can be found in our library.

37

CopyrightThe European IP Helpdesk?

What is a database?
In  the  EU,  a  “database”  consists  of  a  collection  of  independent  works, 

data or other materials arranged in a systematic or methodical way and 

individually accessible by electronic or other means.

?

What are the routes to database protection?

Copyright protection
• 

Original databases can be protected by copyright.

• 

• 

• 

Copyrighted databases must be original “intellectual creations” (see 

section 6).

Copyright is the highest level of protection that can be obtained by 

databases in the EU.

The owner of the database is the person who creates it.

Sui generis protection
• 

Non-original databases – which do not meet the requirements for 

obtaining  copyright  protection  -  can  be  protected  in  the  EU  by  a 

specific EU database right known as the sui generis database right. 

• 

Sui generis databases do not need to be an “intellectual creation”, 

but they must show that there has been “qualitatively or quantitatively 

a  substantial  investment  in  either  the  obtaining,  verification  or 

presentation of the contents” of the database. 

7. Databases

•  What is a database?
•  What are the routes to database protection?
•  What are the requirements for obtaining protection of a 

database?

•  What kind of protection do databases rights confer?

• 

The  owner  of  a  sui  generis  database  is  the  person  who  creates 

the  database,  that  is  to  say,  the  person  undertaking  the  initiative 

of creating the database and assuming the associated investment 

risks. 

39

DatabasesThe European IP Helpdesk• 

Some  examples  of  protected  non-original  databases  include 

?

What kind of protection do database rights confer?

telephone listings or compilations of legislation.

?

What are the requirements for obtaining protection of a 
database?

Copyright 
• 

To  obtain  copyright  protection,  databases  must  be  original 

Territorial protection

Copyrighted databases
Copyright protection arises automatically in all states which are party to 

the  Berne  Convention,  which  include  all  EU  Member  States.  Because 

of the national scope of copyright, there can be some nuances among 

intellectual creations. In the EU, databases which, by reason of the 

national laws.

selection  or  arrangement  of  their  contents,  constitute  the  author‘s 

own intellectual creation shall be protected as such by copyright.

• 

No  other  criteria  shall  be  applied  to  determine  their  eligibility  for 

copyright protection.

Sui generis databases
This  is  a  purely  EU  right  with  no  equivalent  at  international  level.  Only 

creators of databases who are nationals of a Member State or who have 

their  habitual  residence  in  the  territory  of  the  EU  can  benefit  from  this 

Sui generis right
• 

To  obtain  sui  generis  protection  it  is  required  that  a  substantial 

right.

investment  is  made  in  obtaining,  verifying  and  presenting  the 

Scope of protection

contents of the database.

• 

Substantial  investment  is  understood  as  a  financial  and/or 

professional investment, which may consist in the deployment of 

Copyrighted databases
Protection  is  conferred  to  the  structure  of  the  database  and  not  to  its 

financial resources and the expending of time, effort and energy in 

contents.  That  is,  a  reward  is  given  to  the  efforts  made  in  selecting 

obtaining and collecting the contents.

and arranging the contents, rather than in creating them. However, an 

individual  item  of  the  contents  may  enjoy  separate  copyright  protection 

if  it  complies  with  the  applicable  legal  requirements  (e.g.  a  photograph 

included in a database). 

The author of a database has the exclusive right to carry out or to authorise 

its reproduction, adaptation (e.g. translation), distribution, communication, 

41

DatabasesThe European IP Helpdeskas well as the reproduction, distribution or communication of the results 

• 

Sui generis databases: The term of protection is 15 years from the 

of any adaptation. 

Sui generis databases
Unlike  copyright  databases,  the  sui  generis  database  right  protects  the 

contents  of  a  database. The  owner  of  a  sui  generis  database  has  the 

right  to  prevent  the  extraction  and/or  re-utilisation  of  the  whole  or  of  a 

substantial  –  qualitative  or  quantitative  -  part  of  the  contents  of  the 

database:

• 

The right to prevent extraction: The term “extraction” refers to the 

permanent or temporary transfer of the whole or of a substantial part 

of the contents of the database to another medium, by any means 

or in any form. It implies that some degree of choice or individual 

appreciation of the content to be extracted is made.

• 

The right to prevent reutilisation: The term “reutilisation” consists 

of making available to the public the whole or a substantial part of 

the contents of the database by any form of distribution, including 

the renting/lending of the database, online or through other means.

Duration of protection
• 

Copyrighted  databases: 

In 

the  EU, 

the 

term  of  protection 

corresponds to the life of the author plus 70 years after his death.

Life of the author

Creation  
of the work

Death of the author
(+70 years)

end of the year in which the making of the database was completed 

or in which the database was first made available to the public.

15 years

Creation

Expiring date

OR

15 years

Public availability 

Expiring date

Further Information

Guide
Your Guide to IP Commercialisation

This document can be found in our library.

Useful Document
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use

43

DatabasesThe European IP Helpdesk?

What is a domain name?
According  to  WIPO,  “domain  names  are  the  human-friendly  forms  of 

Internet  addresses,  and  are  commonly  used  to  find  web  sites”.  For 

example, the domain name iprhelpdesk.eu is used to locate the European 

IP  Helpdesk  web  site  at  http://www.iprhelpdesk.eu.  Apart  from  this 

function, domain names also serve the purpose of identifying a company 

or a trade mark on the Internet.

What are the types of domain names?
• 

Top Level Domain (TLD): It is located after the last dot (“.”), e.g. 

iprhelpdesk.eu. There are two types of TLD:

 ◦ generic  Top  Level  Domain  (gTLD):  indicates  the  area  of 

activity  (e.g.  “.com”  for  any  purposes  or  “.biz”,  restricted  to 

businesses).

 ◦

country  code  Top  Level  Domain  (ccTLD):  indicates  the 

geographical area where the domain owner intends to operate 

(e.g. “.uk” or “.fr”, for the UK and France respectively).

• 

Second Level Domain: It is located directly to the left of the top-

level  domain  (e.g.  iprhelpdesk.eu).  Most  domain  names  disputes 

concern this type of domain.

• 

Third Level Domain: It is located directly to the left of the second-

level domain (e.g. helpline.iprhelpdesk.eu). Not every address has 

this type of domain, also known as subdomain. It is often used to 

identify departments in large organisations.

Generic: “com”

Country code: “uk”

helpline.iprhelpdesk.eu

Third Level

Second Level

Top Level

45

8. Domain names

•  What is a domain name?
•  What are the requirements for domain name 

registration?

•  What kind of protection do domain names confer?
•  What is the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution 

Policy (UDRP)?

•  What is cybersquatting?

Domain namesThe European IP Helpdesk?

What are the requirements for domain name registration?
The  registration  of  a  domain  name  can  be  done  at  any  of  the  different 

stronger right to stop others from registering its second-level domain 

with different top-level extensions, such as “.com” or “.biz”.

registrars  around  the  world  that  are  accredited  by  the  Internet 

• 

Generic second-level domain: If the second-level domain is a generic 

Corporation  for Assigned  Names  and  Numbers  (ICANN).  ICANN  is 

term that does not enjoy trade mark protection, its registration with 

a  not-for-profit  public-benefit  corporation  in  charge  of  coordinating  the 

different top-level extensions by different owners will be possible. As 

Internet’s domain name system.

explained before, the top level determines the area of activity or the 

operational geographical area of the domain owner, so coexistence 

The only requirement for registration is that the domain name applied for 

of different second-level domains is possible as long as the top-level 

is not registered already (i.e. first-come, first-served principle). If the 

domain differentiates them and avoids a conflict among them.

domain name is not registered by a third party, the registrar will simply 

authorise registration upon payment of a fee.

?

What kind of protection do domain names confer?

International protection
Domain  names  have  an  international  character.  Unlike  trade  marks  or 

designs,  domain  names  are  not  territorial  so  their  registration  at  any 

accredited registrar confers them worldwide protection.

Scope of protection
The scope of protection of a domain name is determined by the top-level 

domain  (e.g.  .eu)  and  by  the  second-level  domain  (e.g.  iprhelpdesk). 

Such  protection  also  depends  on  whether  the  second-level  domain 

enjoys trade mark protection:

Duration of protection
Each  registrar  is  free  to  establish  the  duration  of  protection  in  annual 

terms up to a maximum of 10 years. Upon expiration, domain names can 

be renewed indefinitely.

max. 10 years

10 years x ∞

Registration
(Filing)

Renewals
(optional)

?

What  is  the  Uniform  Domain  Name  Dispute  Resolution 
Policy (UDRP)?
The  UDRP  is  a  system  established  by  ICANN  for  the  resolution  of 

• 

Trademarked second-level domain: If the owner of a domain name 

disputes regarding the registration and use of domain names. It is applied 

has also registered its second-level domain as a trade mark (e.g. if 

by all accredited registrars.

“iprhelpdesk” is registered as a trade mark), the owner will have a 

47

Domain namesThe European IP Helpdesk 
When  applicants  apply  for  a  domain  name  they  declare  not  to  infringe 

the rights of third parties and accept to submit themselves to the UDRP.

?

What is cybersquatting?
Cybersquatting  consists  of  the  practice  of  making  abusive  registrations 

of  domain  names  that  are  already  registered  either  as  domain  names 

in  one  or  more  top-level  extensions  or  as  trade  marks  or  trade  names. 

Cybersquatters register such domain names and later offer them for sale 

–  often  to  the  owner  of  the  previous  domain  name  or  trade  mark-  at  a 

much higher price than the original registration fee.

The  UDRP  provides  an  expedited  administrative  procedure  to  solve 

these issues without the need to submit to court proceedings.

Further Information

Fact Sheets
Domain names and cybersquatting 
Intellectual Property considerations for business websites

All these documents can be found in our library.

49

Domain namesThe European IP Helpdesk?

What is a geographical indication?
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products having a specific 

geographical origin and whose qualities and/or reputation are attributable 

to that origin.

Geographical  indications  are  often  place  names.  However,  non-

geographical  names  can  also  be  protected  if  they  are  linked  to  a 

particular place. For example, Feta cheese is not named after a place, but 

after the Italian word “fetta”, meaning “slice”, which was incorporated into 

the  Greek  language  in  the  17th  century.  However  several  factors  such 

as  the  fact  that  85%  of  EU  consumption  of  feta  cheese  per  capita  and 

per year takes place in Greece or the fact that feta is usually marketed 

with labels referring to Greek cultural traditions and civilisation, make EU 

consumers perceive feta as an inherently Greek product.

In order to function as a GI:

• 

the  sign  must  identify  a  product  as  originating  in  a  given  place 

(e.g.  Chianti  identifying  a  wine  originating  in  the  Italian  region  of 

Chianti  or  Roquefort  cheese  originating  in  the  Roquefort-sur-

Soulzon region in France);

• 

the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should 

be  due  to  the  place  of  origin  (e.g.  the  qualities  of  Chianti  are  due 

to the grapes grown in the soil of that specific Italian region, while 

the qualities of Roquefort result from the characteristics of the milk 

obtained  from  indigenous  breeds  of  sheep  fed  according  to  the 

tradition  and  the  characteristics  of  the  caves  in  which  the  cheese 

is aged).

51

9. Geographical indications

•  What is a geographical indication?
•  What type of products can be protected by GIs?
•  How are geographical indications protected?
•  What kind of protection do GIs confer?
•  What are the routes to GI protection?

Geographical indicationsThe European IP Helpdesk?

What type of products can be protected by GIs?
Geographical  indications  are  used  for  agricultural  products,  foodstuffs, 

wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.

generally result exclusively or essentially from its geographical origin, as 

explained below in more detail).

?

What kind of protection do GIs confer?

Territorial protection
GIs  are  territorial  in  nature.  Thus,  where  a  specific  right  over  a  GI  is 

obtained in one territory, it is protected there but not abroad.

However,  at  EU  level,  most  non-agricultural  products  or  industrial 

goods (like textiles, wood, ceramics, etc.) are not protectable with a GI. 

Scope of protection
GIs  do  not  confer  individual  rights  (such  as  in  the  case  of  patents  and 

Nevertheless, some Member States of the EU (e.g. Bulgaria) provide for 

trade marks) but rather “collective rights”. Indeed, once protected, the 

the protection of these products as GIs at national level.

exclusive right to use the geographical indication belongs to all producers 

?

How are geographical indications protected?
Protection  for  a  GI  is  obtained  by  acquiring  a  right  over  the  name  that 

constitutes the indication (e.g. Chianti).

in a given geographical area, who comply with the specific conditions of 

production for the product.

Duration of protection
GIs  are  not  subject  to  a  specific  period  of  validity. This  means  that  the 

Although in many countries and at EU level this right over a name can 

protection will remain valid unless the GI registration is cancelled.

be acquired through the registration of a collective trade mark and/or a 

certification mark, a specific right protecting the GI can also be obtained.

?

What are the routes to GI protection?

This  GI  right  may  be,  depending  on  the  country,  a  protected  GI,  a 

designation of origin or an appellation of origin. Appellations of origin 

National route
National  legislations  may  provide  specific  GI  protection  systems  at 

(AOs)  and  designations  of  origin  (DOs)  are  special  kinds  of  GIs 

national level. 

generally implying a stronger link with the place of origin (e.g. the quality 

and  characteristics  of  a  product  protected  as  an  AO  and  a  DO  must 

Regional route (European Union)
Two  types  of  GIs,  indicating  different  levels  of  connection  with  a 

53

Geographical indicationsThe European IP Helpdeskgeographical area, confer exclusive rights on geographical names in the 

whole territory of the EU:

International route (Lisbon System)
The  Lisbon  Agreement  provides  for  an  international  protection  system 

• 

Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) identify products that are 

(the  Lisbon  System)  of  appellations  of  origin.  The  Lisbon  System, 

produced,  processed  and  prepared  in  a  specific  geographical 

administered  by  WIPO,  offers  a  means  of  obtaining  protection  for  an 

area,  using  the  recognised  know-how  of 

local  producers  and  ingredients  from  the 

region concerned. These are products whose 

characteristics  are  strictly  linked  to  their 

geographical origin and they must adhere to 

a precise set of specifications and may bear 

the PDO logo. PDO products thus require all stages of the food 

production process to be carried out in the area concerned. Some 

examples  of  PDOs  include  Bordeaux  PDO  (France,  wine),  Cava 

PDO (Spain, wine), Manouri PDO (Greece, cheese).

• 

Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) identify products whose 

quality  or  reputation  is  linked  to  the  place  or  region  where  they 

are  produced,  processed  or  prepared,  although  the  ingredients 

used  need  not  necessarily  come  from  that 

geographical  area.  Products  bearing  the 

PGI  logo  have  a  specific  characteristic  or 

reputation  associating  them  with  a  given 

place,  and  at  least  one  stage  in  the 

production process must be carried out in 

that area, while the raw materials used in production may come from 

another region. Some examples of PGIs include České pivo (Czech 

Republic, beer), Lammefjordskartofler PGI (Denmark, vegetable) or 

Primorska PGI (Slovenia, wine).

AO  already  protected  in  one  contracting  party  in  the  territories  of  all 

contracting parties. This can be done through a single registration called 

“an international registration”.

Further Information

Fact Sheet
The Value of Geographical Indications for Businesses

This document can be found in our library.

Useful Document
WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use

55

Geographical indicationsThe European IP HelpdeskIP rights in a nutshell

The European IP Helpdesk

IPR

What for?

Duration of protection

Priority

Routes to registration

Trade marks

Distinctive 
signs

Renewable indefinitely for 
periods of 10 years

6 months

Industrial 
designs

Appearance of 
products

RCD: renewable every 5 
years up to 25 years
UCD: 3 years, not 
renewable

6 months

Patents

Inventions

20 years

12 months

National
EU trade mark (EU)
Madrid System

National
Community design (EU)
Hague System

National
European Patent (EPC)
PCT

Inventions

7-10 years

12 months

National

Utility 
models

Trade 
secrets

Copyright

Databases

Confidential  
business 
information

Literary, 
scientific and 
artistic works

Neighbouring 
rights (media 
or related 
rights)

Collection of 
independent 
works, data 
or other 
materials 
arranged in 
a systematic 
or methodical 
way and 
individually 
accessible

Domain 
names

Internet 
addresses

Geographical 
indications

Products 
having a 
specific 
geographical 
origin and 
whose 
qualities 
and/or 
reputation are 
attributable to 
that origin

Unlimited

No

None

Moral rights: no time limit
Economic rights: at least 
the author’s lifetime + 50 
years (in the EU, 70 years 
from the author’s death)

Neighbouring rights: at 
least 20 years from the 
end of the year in which 
the fixation was made 
or the performance / 
broadcast took place (in 
the EU, 50 years instead 
of 20 for phonograms and 
performances) 

Copyrighted databases: 
within the EU: life of the 
author + 70 years
Sui generis databases: 15 
years from the end of the 
year in which the making of 
the database was completed 
or in which the database 
was first made available to 
the public

Renewable indefinitely for 
periods of a maximum of 
10 years

No

None

No

No

Copyrighted databases: 
automatic
Sui generis databases: EU 
right only

Worldwide protection when 
registered at any accredited 
registrar

Unlimited

No

National
EU
Lisbon System

We  believe  that  knowing  how  to  manage  your  IP  effectively,  can  help 

you  promote  your  business  or  maximise  the  impact  of  your  research  & 

innovation project – make sure you stay ahead of the innovation game.

Our main goal is to support cross-border SME and research activities to 

manage, disseminate and valorise technologies and other IP rights and 

assets  at  an  EU  level. The  European  IP  Helpdesk  enables  IP  capacity 

building along the full scale of IP practices: from awareness to strategic 

use and successful exploitation.

This strengthening of IP competencies focuses on EU SMEs, participants 

and candidates in EU-funded projects and EU innovation stakeholders for 

an increased translation of IP into the EU innovation ecosystem.

57

The European IP HelpdeskYour Guide to IP in EuropeTHE EUROPEAN IP HELPDESK SERVICES

WEBSITE
The heart of our service 
portfolio to keep 
you updated

PUBLICATIONS
Detailed IP knowledge 
provided through our 
high level publications

www.iprhelpdesk.eu

TRAINING
Gain IP knowledge in our 
free online and on-site 
training sessions

HELPLINE
Our Helpline team 
answers your 
individual IP questions

EVENTS
Meet us at key  
networking and brokerage 
events and conferences

AMBASSADORS
Our regional ambassadors 
provide IP support 
throughout Europe

59

The European IP HelpdeskYour Guide to IP in EuropeGET IN TOUCH 
Please feel free to get in touch with us 
anytime for further information or if you have 
questions regarding our services. 

European IP Helpdesk
c/o Eurice GmbH
Heinrich-Hertz-Allee 1
66368 St. Ingbert, Germany
Web  www.iprhelpdesk.eu 
Email service@iprhelpdesk.eu
Phone  +34 965 90 9692 (Helpline)
The European IP Helpdesk is managed by the European Commission’s Executive 
Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), with policy guidance 
provided by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, 
Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG Grow).
The information provided by the European IP Helpdesk is not of a legal or advisory 
nature and no responsibility is accepted for the results of any actions made on its 
basis. Moreover, it cannot be considered as the official position of EASME or the 
European Commission. Neither EASME nor the European Commission nor any 
person acting on behalf of EASME or of the European Commission is responsible for 
the use which might be made of this information.
© European Union (2019)

Catalogue n° EA-03-19-379-EN-N
ISBN 978-92-9202-500-7
DOI 10.2826/94924