Fake Services

Warning: unsolicited mail about unofficial TM services.

Some European as well as foreign companies are sending out unsolicited mails to applicants and owners of Italian and Community trademarks inviting them to pay a fee to enjoy supposed official trademark services. Such mails are sometimes represented in the form of invoices, which are usually sent out after the publication of the official Italian and Community trademark application.

You should be aware that these companies are not linked to related official trademark office and there is no obligation to pay them.

You may consult examples of these invoices on Community Trade Mark Office related webpage

The only offices that are able to provide legal protection for trademarks in Italy and European Union are the following:

Italy - Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM)

European Union - Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM).

If you receive such mail, please check carefully to see exactly what services you are being offered and whether it comes from an official Institution. If you are in any doubt, please use our free on-line help-line service to contact us.