Trademark Registration in the Netherlands

Trademark registration takes approximately 4 months. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg share a single system. The three countries form a union called the Benelux, and applications are filed through the Benelux system. Separate national trademark applications cannot be filed in the individual countries. For applications from outside the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), an attorney must be appointed. Applications from outside the Benelux also require a simply signed power of attorney. A representation of the trademark must be submitted. A list of the classes in which the trademark will be used must be submitted. A multi-class system is used. An additional class fee applies after the 3rd class, that is, from the 4th class onward. The Nice Classification is used. The term of protection for a trademark is 10 years. An opposition can be filed within 2 months after the trademark is published. Third parties may file a cancellation action against trademarks that have not been used within 5 years of the registration date or the date of last use. The trademark can be renewed every 10 years.