Member News

Trademark filing in Italy: new fast-track procedure launched

As of February 26, 2019, companies and individuals filing for a trademark with the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (“IPTO”), using the dedicated website, will be able to choose a new, optional fast-track procedure.

The key advantage of this new procedure, as defined in the Ministry of Economic Development circular no. 604 of February 6, 2019, is that trademark applications will be published in the IPTO bulletin in a considerably shorter amount of time (within 7 days of filing).

In fact, the standard procedure currently takes around 180 days (six months) from filing to complete a trademark registration with the IPTO. The new fast-track procedure is aimed at reducing registration times and could save applicants up to two months, allowing them to obtain their registered trademark in around 120 days (four months).

To access this fast-track procedure, applicants will simply need to select goods and services included in the list of the International Nice Classification and pay the registration fees (using the “PagoPA” system) when submitting their trademark application. The procedure will not be available for trademark registrations with priority claims.

Compliments of Portolano Cavallo Studio Legale, a member of the EACCNY