Trademark registration in France

The trademark office and official links

Trademarks in France are registered by the National Institute of Industrial Property (Institut national de la propriété industrielle) (INPI).

• Trademark office: National Institute of Industrial Property (Institut national de la propriété industrielle) (INPI)
• Online filing: official e-filing portal
• Trademark search: official trademark database
• Law: Intellectual Property Code (Code de la propriété intellectuelle), Book VII on trade marks, as amended by Ordinance No. 2019-1169 of 13 November 2019

Official fees in France

Official office fees only (schedule as of 2026-07). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.

How to register a trademark in France

1. Search for earlier marks, for example in the INPI data.inpi.fr database, and define the goods and services by Nice class.
2. File the application online through the INPI e-procedures portal and pay the fees; INPI emails a receipt with the filing date and national number.
3. INPI publishes the application in the Bulletin officiel de la propriété industrielle (BOPI) about six weeks after filing.
4. INPI examines formalities and substance (such as distinctiveness and prohibited signs) and issues objections with a deadline to respond if needed.
5. Third parties may file an opposition or observations within 2 months of the BOPI publication.
6. Once examination is complete, the registration is published in the BOPI (after a minimum of five months) and INPI sends the registration certificate.
7. Renew the mark every 10 years before the protection period expires.

Examination, publication and opposition

• Examination: INPI examines formalities (completeness, fees) and substance (distinctiveness, prohibited terms); conflicts with earlier rights are raised by their owners through opposition. No official overall examination time is stated beyond the timings for publication and registration.
• Publication: Bulletin officiel de la propriété industrielle (BOPI): the application about six weeks after filing, and later the registration
• Opposition period: 2 months from publication of the application in the BOPI (filed with INPI)
• Typical timeline: INPI states that the registration is published in the BOPI after a minimum of five months, if there are no obstacles.

Protection, renewal and use

• Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
• Late renewal: 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge of 50% of the renewal fee
• Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
• Rights system: first to file.

Filing from abroad

• Local agent: Representation is mandatory for applicants who are neither domiciled nor established in France, the EU or the EEA (and where there are several applicants). Applicants from outside these areas who are not nationals of a WTO or Paris Union state must show that their country protects French trade marks.
• Power of attorney: Lawyers (avocats) and industrial property attorneys do not need to file a power of attorney. Other representatives must file either a special power for the specific filing or a permanent power registered with INPI in advance.
• Language: French; supporting documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a French translation

Firms on TrademarksHub that cover France can act as your local agent — see firms.

Madrid Protocol

France is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 1997). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.

Trademark classes

Nice Classification (45 classes). One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.

How France compares

• Opposition: 2 months from publication of the application in the BOPI (filed with INPI) — compare all countries
• Renewal: every 10 years; grace period 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge of 50% of the renewal fee — compare all countries
• Foreign owners: required — rules in every country
• Official search: data.inpi.fr — all search databases

Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid

Good to know in France

• France's 2019 reform introduced an administrative opposition and invalidity/revocation procedure before INPI (opposition fee EUR 400; invalidity or revocation request EUR 600).
• A French filing can be extended to French Polynesia for an additional EUR 60.
• Genuine use is required: failure to use the mark for five consecutive years can put the rights at risk.
• Assignments, licences and other changes should be recorded in the National Trade Mark Register to be enforceable against third parties.
• France is also covered by EU trade marks filed at EUIPO, and INPI can act as office of origin for Madrid international applications.

Questions