Newly published European Trademark Directive and Regulation Gives Owners of EU Trademark Registrations for Class Headings Last Opportunity to Amend Identifications of Goods and Services

Among several other changes in the European Union Trademark (EUTM) system (formerly referred to as the Community Trademark (CTM)), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (formerly known as OHIM) will provide a period in which owners of certain EUTMs can amend their identifications of goods and services to ensure the registration covers specific items that fall within but are not specifically listed in the Nice Class Headings. Where a former CTM application was filed before June 22, 2012 and specifying one or more class headings, owners will have until September 23, 2016 to submit a declaration amending the registration to specifically list goods and services that should be covered by their registrations. After September 23, 2016, unamended registrations covering class headings will be interpreted to cover only the goods and services literally listed, in accordance with case law.