Trademarks and design protection

Businesses that require a trademark or design protection in all EU countries should register their trademarks or designs with the European Union Intellectual Property Rights Office (EUIPO). Those who trade in only one EU country, however, may only need protection in that country; national conditions and registration procedures apply.

Competent authority

For any information in the field of industrial property protection, you can contact the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM).

How to apply for protection for brand or design in Romania

TM - To register a name (or slogan) as a trademark, with or without a figurative element (drawing), you need to fill out a standard form. The application for a national trademark can be found here.

DM - According to art. 6 of Law no. 129/1992, republished in 2007 on the protection of designs, with subsequent amendments and completions, the object of the application may be registered to the extent that it constitutes a design, within the meaning of art. 2 (of the same law), is new and has an individual character. The application for registration of a design can be found here.

The procedure is available online

TM - Completing the trademark form can be done online by accessing the page here.

DM - Filling in the design form can be done online by accessing the page here.

Documents required to start the procedure

TM - The documents required to start the trademark registration procedure are: trademark application form, accompanied by the related fees.

DM - The documents required to start the registration procedure of the designs are: the application form for registration of the design, accompanied by the graphic reproductions of the designs for which the registration is requested; payment of the registration fee.

Deadlines for submitting documents

TM - According to Law no. 84/1998 republished, with subsequent amendments and completions, in accordance with art.18, par. 2, if the application does not meet the conditions provided in art. 9 para. (1), the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks shall notify the applicant of the deficiencies of the application, granting a term of 30 days for the submission of the completions.

DM - According to the Regulation for the application of Law 129/1992, with subsequent amendments and completions, in accordance with art. 18, par. 3, if the application does not meet the conditions provided by law, the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks will notify the applicant of the deficiencies of the application, granting a period of one month for the submission of completions.

Tax information

Fees for the registration of a trademark / design application can be accessed on the website of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, in Annex 1 of Government Ordinance no. 41 on taxes in the field of industrial property and their use, republished in 2006, as subsequently amended and supplemented.

How long does trademark or design protection last?

TM - Trademark registration takes effect from the date of the regular filing of the trademark, for a period of 10 years. At the request of the owner, the registration of the trademark may be renewed at the end of each term of 10 years, with the payment of the fee provided by law.

DM - According to art.35 paragraph (1) of Law no. 129/1992 on the protection of designs, as subsequently amended and supplemented, the title of protection for a design is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of establishment of the regular deposit and may be renewed for 3 successive periods of 5 years each, provided that the taxes are paid in the amount and within the legally established terms.