Trademark refused

In 2024, the European Financial Planning Association (EFPA) filed the logo below for registration as an EU trademark. EUIPO refused the registration, and on appeal the office stood by its decision: the sign contains an element that consists of the imitation of the euro symbol which is of particular public interest. It suggests to the public a connection with European Union in the sense that the contested goods and services originate from, or are endorsed by, the EU. And that’s not allowed.

Euroteken EFPA

More euro registrations

However, if you browse the trademark register, you’ll find several trademarks that do include a stylized version of the euro symbol. So why were those accepted, while EFPA’s was not? The Board of Appeal’s decision offers some useful insights.

Euroteken geaccepteerd
Examples of accepted EU trademark registrations featuring the euro symbol

 

Why was EFPA’s euro not allowed?

  1. The colors yellow and blue used in the EFPA logo are the official colors of the EU.
  2. The shape of the euro symbol in the EFPA mark is identical to the official euro design.
    Euroteken
    On the left the design of the official Euro symbol

     

  3. Contrary to EFPA’s argument, the euro symbol in the logo would not be perceived as the letter “E” in the abbreviation EFPA. You don’t actually read “EFPA” in it—the yellow circle visually separates the euro sign from the other letters ‘FPA’.
  4. The euro symbol has a prominent position in the EFPA logo: it’s placed at the front.
  5. The goods and services for which the EFPA mark was filed—such as certificates, bulletins, financial investments, and education—are all closely related to fields in which the EU is active.

 

Useful tips

In short, it seems to be a combination of factors that led to the impression that EFPA’s products and services originate from, or are endorsed by, the European Union.

So here are a few handy tips: if you want to include a euro symbol in your trademark

  1. Avoid using the colors yellow and blue

  2. Don’t copy the official design of the euro symbol

  3. Let the symbol blend naturally into your logo—preferably not at the front

  4. Be extra cautious if your products or services are in areas where the EU is also active

In short: the logo below for pet food should be perfectly fine. Good luck!

Bessy

Bas Kist

 

Photo by Farah Almazouni on Unsplash

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