Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich, Room 313
We study the impact of the dual trademark system that was established in the European Union in 1996. Using a novel data set, we document that the new EU Trademark (EUTM) is a success story: the majority of new marks in EU Member States are now protected by the EUTM. The EUTM reduced the demand for national trademarks: on average, it crowded out 25% of national filings; this effect was much stronger for small countries and for foreign applicants. The EUTM also led to an overall increase in the number of marks protected in the EU, indicating easier market access. Finally, using a back-of-the-envelope calculation, we document that the EUTM generates substantial savings for the business sector. (Co-Author: Benedikt Herz)
Contact person: Dr. Fabian Gaessler