An Ongoing Problem for Trademark Applicants
Misleading letters asking trademark applicants to pay considerable sums to questionable organizations are nothing new.
Applicants often believe they are paying legitimate fees for their European trademark applications.
For years, scammers from various countries have sent letters by post. Their goal is to collect unauthorized fees.
How Do These Misleading Letters Work?
Scammers send these letters directly to European trademark applicants. They do not contact applicants through their professional representatives.
Furthermore, scammers rely on applicants’ trust and concerns about missing important deadlines.
As a result, some applicants make payments without questioning the requests.
Attempts to Stop Fraudulent Trademark Letters
Numerous attempts have been made to stop these practices. Unfortunately, none have been successful so far.
The letters continue to arrive. Moreover, some applicants still fall victim to these scams.
Example of a Fraudulent Trademark Letter
One of the latest fraudulent letters we have received is shown below:
The letter was sent by a nonexistent organization called “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRADE MARK ORGANIZATION.”
It requests a payment of EUR 2,399.99 for trademark registration.
Additionally, the letter includes the applicant’s actual trademark application number.
Our Advice to European Trademark Applicants
To avoid falling victim to misleading trademark letters, we recommend the following:
- Always consult a professional trademark representative. Before taking action, seek professional advice about any communication concerning your industrial property rights.
- File your trademark applications through a professional representative. The cost is significantly lower than the amount requested by this fraudulent organization. Furthermore, professional representation minimizes the risk of being deceived.