Your brand well protected with the trademark register

The Trademark Register is the official database of registered trademarks. Three main registers: BOIP (Benelux), EUIPO (EU), and WIPO (worldwide via Madrid). It contains all trademarks, figurative marks, classes, and owners. You use it for: preliminary research before registration, checking for infringements, looking up a trademark owner, and enforcement. It is freely accessible to everyone. Below: where to find what, how to search effectively, and why Maya's accountant consults the register monthly.

The short answer

• BOIP Register: Benelux Trademarks — boip.int.
• EUIPO register: EU trade marks — euipo.europa.eu/eSearch.
• WIPO-Madrid: international brands — wipo.int/madrid/monitor.
• Free access: searching costs nothing, as does downloading detailed information.
• What is included: brand name/image, classes, owner, date, status.

What is in the register?

For each registered trademark, you will find:

• Name and optional logo (image).
• Nice classes (1-45) for goods and services.
• Description of classes (specific products).
• Owner (natural person or company, with address).
• Application date and registration date.
• Status: applied for, registered, expired.
• Expiry date (10 years after registration).
• Any opposition or disputes.
• Representative (trademark agent).

The BOIP register

Online via boip.int → “Trademarks” → “Consult existing trademarks”. Search functions:

• Simple search: name, owner, number.
• Advanced search: combination name + classes + status.
• Phonetic search: matching brands (useful for preliminary research).
• Image search: similar visual marks (concept “image category”).

All results available for free consultation. The complete file (including opposition documents) is also available.

The EUIPO Register

EU trademarks and designs via euipo.europa.eu/eSearch. Plus a more extensive TMview database (tmdn.org/tmview/) that searches BOIP, EUIPO, WIPO, and national registers of many countries simultaneously.

Advanced features:

• Similarity search for phonetic and visual variants.
• Filtering by class, date, status, country.
• Brand search with image upload (find similar logos).
• Comparative analysis (multiple jurisdictions).

WIPO Madrid Monitor

International brands via Madrid system at wipo.int/madrid/monitor. Shows per brand which countries are involved, status per country, and changes of ownership. Indispensable for international enforcement.

Effective searching: tips

• Include variants: spelling variations, phonetic similarity, word combinations.
• Class filter: not all 45 classes — targeted at relevant classes.
• Wildcard usage: * for variable characters (e.g. “Maya*” for MayaDesign, Mayar, Mayan).
• Status filter: only registered or also pending applications.
• Find owner: all brands of specific company — competitive analysis.

What do you use the register for?

1. Preliminary examination for registration

Before filing a new trademark: check for conflicts. Same name in the same class: refusal or opposition likely.

2. Monitor for infringements

Regular check (quarterly/half-yearly): new applications matching your brand. Sending a cease and desist letter quickly prevents the establishment of a conflict.

3. Competition analysis

Which trademarks has your competitor registered? Often reveals product launch plans.

4. M&A and due diligence

In the event of an acquisition: check the target's IP portfolio — registered trademarks, expiration dates, opposition status. Part of due diligence.

5. Enforcement

In case of dispute: provide proof of ownership through registration. In case of international ownership: ownership everywhere through a single Madrid application.

Automated monitoring

For regular monitoring without manual searching: brand-monitoring-services:

• BOIP own “Watch” service.
• EUIPO “Trademark Monitoring” via eSearch.
• Commercial tools: Compumark, Markify, Trademarkia.
• Costs: €200-€1,000 per year for SMEs.

In the event of a new comparable application: automatic email notification — can file opposition in a timely manner.

Honest recommendation

For SMEs with a registered trademark: use the register actively — not only during registration. A quarterly check for new registrations in your class(es) prevents trademark dilution. For sensitive trademarks or an international presence: invest in a monitoring tool (€200-€1,000 per year). One hour per quarter in the register can save thousands of euros in future enforcement costs.

For other topics: trademark registration, trademark name check , and trademark infringement.

Frequently Asked Questions