European Intellectual Property Architects Patents, Trademarks, Designs, Copyright and Domain Names Search Search this site: Header Contact Jobs Sitemap Languages EN FR NL Home News & Events Services China Desk US Portal SME subsidies Team Team Team Contacts Secondary links Request info Home > Our services > Use investigation Services Rights Service types Innovation strategy Innovation strategy & definition Brand creation & brand strategy Prior right Freedom to operate Landscaping Use investigation Protection & active management Filings & proceedings Renewal & annual fees Brand management Portfolio management Intellect Protect Trade secret protection and management offer Exploitation & defense Agreements Watching Opposition Anti counterfeiting Brand capitalization Audit & valuation Tax breaks Brand valuation Portfolio administrative & strategic audit All our services Use investigation Is a brand that could obstruct your project in actual use? This is not insignificant – an unused brand is less solid and may be contested. GEVERS helps determine the level of risk and possible tactics to neutralise it. If research into previous rights does reveal the existence of a similar or identical trademark (for similar or identical products) to that you intend to file, this, in itself, is not sufficient reason to conclude that such a previous right could oppose your own plans. Indeed, in the European Union and in many other countries, a trademark must be in use, on penalty of expiry. In such cases, GEVERS will not only communicate the exact terms of the use obligation in the country in question, but also conduct a 'use survey' that will help determine whether or not the previous right is an obstacle in reality. Did you know? Is an obstructing domain name in actual use? If so, is it used in good faith? This is significant – a domain name filed in bad faith (i.e., for purely mercantile ends) may be recovered in certain conditions by an arbitration procedure. GEVERS is well accustomed to such procedures. © GEVERS 2017 | Disclaimer | General Terms and Conditions Made by Emakina