Warning: be careful with the non-official trademark registers!

An increasing number of applicants are receiving unsolicited e-mails from unofficial registration services asking for money in connection with Community Trade Marks and Registered Community Designs. It has become a common practice of certain entities to approach the applicants and to offer their services and to make fee requests (usually in the form of debit notes) after the Community Trade Mark has been published in the CTM bulletin. These are almost always fraudulent fee requests.

If you receive such a letter or invoice, please check carefully what is being offered to you and whether it comes from an official source. If you receive an invoice concerning the trade mark application from anyone different from your trade mark attorney or an approach from any other company, please contact your attorney or the OHIM. Usually these companies have no connection with OHIM or your representative.