Community trade mark fees to be reduced

The European Commission has indicated that it intends to make a significant reduction in the level of Community trade mark (CTM) fees in order to make the CTM system more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses, although it does not say when this will take place. The statement is part of an official Communication aimed at making the EU a more hospitable environment for such businesses. It contains a wide package of measures, including a proposal to allow member states to introduce a lower rate of VAT for locally supplied services, and the creation of a new corporate entity, the European Private Company.

Source: European Commission Communication, 19 June 2008.