João Negrão, EUIPO executive director, is joined by a seasoned official to reflect on three decades of stories. 

On April 1, the EUIPO will celebrate 30 years since EU trademarks first became available to register.

Although the 1994 EU Trade Mark Regulation formally established the EUTM – originally called the community trademark – it was not until April 1 1996, that the new IP right became available to applicants.

The milestone marked the introduction of the EUTM system, which has significantly simplified trademark protection across Europe.

To mark this anniversary, our latest podcast welcomes two EUIPO stalwarts – João Negrão, the EUIPO’s executive director, and Jacqueline Winkelmolen, a team leader who has been in Alicante since that first day in 1996.

Winkelmolen recalls those early days, including dealing with paper-based applications, and assesses whether the demand for EUTMs exceeded predictions. Negrão considers how the office has developed in the years since, taking on competencies for designs and geographical indications.