# Trademark registration in France

> Trademarks in France are registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI); the official application fee is EUR 190 for one class, and third parties can oppose within 2 months from publication of the application in the BOPI. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. France can be designated through the Madrid System.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/france
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** National Institute of Industrial Property (Institut national de la propriété industrielle) (INPI)
- **Official fee:** EUR 190 — Application (first class, electronic filing)
- **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 1997
- **Opposition period:** 2 months from publication of the application in the BOPI
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** Allowed
- **Foreign applicants:** Representation is mandatory for applicants who are neither domiciled nor established in France, the EU or the EEA

## Official links
- Trademark office: https://www.inpi.fr/
- 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 — https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/texte_lc/LEGITEXT000006069414

## Official fees (as of 2026-07)
- Application (first class, electronic filing): EUR 190 — Same fee whatever the form of the mark; paid at filing
- Each additional class at filing: EUR 40
- Collective or guarantee mark application (first class): EUR 350
- Renewal (first class): EUR 290
- Each additional class at renewal: EUR 40
- Late renewal or late payment surcharge:  — 50% of the fee due
- Opposition: EUR 400 — Plus EUR 150 for each additional earlier right invoked
- Extension to French Polynesia: EUR 60 — Optional, at filing

## Steps
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:** 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:** 2 months from publication of the application in the BOPI (filed with INPI)
- **Timeline:** INPI states that the registration is published in the BOPI after a minimum of five months, if there are no obstacles.
- **Late renewal:** 6 months after expiry, with a surcharge of 50% of the renewal fee
- **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
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- 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.

## FAQ
### How much does it cost to register a trademark in France?
INPI charges EUR 190 for an electronic filing in one class, plus EUR 40 for each additional class. For example, six classes cost EUR 390.

### How long does it take to register a trademark in France?
The application is published in the BOPI about six weeks after filing, followed by a 2-month opposition period. INPI states that the registration is published after a minimum of five months if there are no obstacles.

### How long is a French trademark valid?
A French trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for 10-year periods. Renewal costs EUR 290 for one class plus EUR 40 per additional class.

### Can a foreign company file a trademark at INPI?
Yes, but applicants not domiciled or established in France, the EU or the EEA must appoint a representative.

### Is France part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for France since 7 November 1997.

## Sources
- INPI - Grille tarifaire (fee schedule, 2 July 2026): https://www.inpi.fr/inpi-block/download-document?id=20516
- INPI - Les étapes clés du dépôt de marque: https://www.inpi.fr/realiser-demarches/propriete-intellectuelle/etapes-cles-du-depot-de-marque
- INPI - Le déposant et le coût d'une marque: https://www.inpi.fr/realiser-demarches/propriete-intellectuelle/deposant-et-cout-dune-marque
- INPI - La marque après son dépôt: https://www.inpi.fr/realiser-demarches/propriete-intellectuelle/marque-apres-son-depot
- INPI - Déposer une marque: https://www.inpi.fr/realiser-demarches/propriete-intellectuelle/depot-de-marque
- Légifrance - Code de la propriété intellectuelle: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/texte_lc/LEGITEXT000006069414/2010-06-17
- WIPO - Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/ShowResults?search_what=C&treaty_id=8

Need a firm that files in France? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/france (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.