A French trademark is filed online at the INPI, per classes of goods/services (Nice classification). Protection runs 10 years, renewable, from the filing date.
Étapes
- Search availability first (INPI base marques + similar signs — identical AND confusingly similar): a filing does not cure a conflict.
- Choose the classes precisely (fees are per class).
- File on inpi.fr (compte INPI, e-procédure). Base fee ~190 € for one class, ~40 € per extra class (electronic filing — confirm current tariffs on inpi.fr).
- Publication in the BOPI opens a 2-month opposition window for prior-rights holders; INPI also examines absolute grounds.
- Registration certificate (~5 months without opposition); diary the 10-year renewal.
Pièces justificatives
- The sign (word/logo file), the classes list, applicant identity; no proof of use at filing (but use becomes required to defend after 5 years).
Délais et échéances
- Opposition: 2 months from BOPI publication. Renewal: every 10 years (grace period with surcharge).
Portail / Où faire la démarche
- inpi.fr — only official channel; beware invoice-like scams ("registre" letters asking payment after filing: they are not the INPI).
Pièges connus
- Skipping the similarity search and losing to an opposition.
- Filing in the wrong/too-few classes (no adding classes later — new filing needed).
- Post-publication scam letters (observed practice, 2026-07). Within days of the
BOPI publication, private companies scrape the register and mail official-looking
fake invoices built from your mark's real public data (number, classes, holder,
address), demanding hundreds of euros for bogus "registration / monitoring /
publication". Names rotate ("Trademarks Worldwide", WIPT/IPTR, WLTP, EUTM-Register,
TM-Collection, IOPTM, "Intellectual Property Data Base"…), so learn the tells:
- the fine print itself admits « ceci n'est pas une facture » / "this is not an invoice" / « offre sans obligation de payer » ;
- payment goes to a private company that is not the INPI/EUIPO/WIPO, often on a foreign IBAN or via a QR code.
- Rule of thumb: any payment demand about your mark from any body other than the INPI (France), EUIPO (EU) or WIPO (international) is a scam. The real offices never invoice by post after filing — your only fee was paid at filing.
- Action: don't pay, reply, or scan the QR; keep a copy; report to INPI (sollicitations frauduleuses) and signal.conso.gouv.fr (DGCCRF). It does not affect your mark — registration proceeds normally.
Sources
- inpi.fr — « Sollicitations frauduleuses » (avertissement officiel sur les fausses factures) (checked 2026-07)
- inpi.fr — « Déposer une marque » + tarifs (checked 2026-07)
- service-public.gouv.fr — « Protéger une marque » (checked 2026-07)