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EXPANSION OF EUROPEAN UNION BENEFITS COMMUNITY TRADEMARK APPLICANTS WHO FILE PRIOR TO MAY 1, 2004

  The European Union (EU), currently comprised of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France (including Monaco), Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, will welcome 10 new “members” on May 1, 2004: the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

  The Treaty of Accession 2003, signed April 16, 2003, in Athens, Greece, provides that coverage for all Community Trade Marks (CTMs) registered or applied for before the May 1, 2004 accession date will be extended automatically, at no cost, to the 10 new countries, once added. However, once the new members formally accede into the EU on May 1, 2004, official CTM filing fees are expected to increase significantly. 

Under the circumstances, those considering filing CTM applications in the near future are strongly encouraged to do so no later than April 30, 2004.

  The Intellectual Property, Corporate and Litigation Practice of Silverberg Goldman & Bikoff, LLP includes worldwide trademark and copyright protection and enforcement, unfair competition, false advertising, and Internet and domain name law. We offer substantial experience, a pledge to provide cost-efficient, high-quality and responsive service, and a commitment to excellence.