How do I apply for trademark registration?

Trademark protection is acquired through application and registration in respect of goods and/or services of interest and within one or more territories. These territories may be single countries, but also greater regions such as the Benelux and the European Union. As regards the Benelux countries (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemburg), trademark protection can moreover only be granted to the whole territory of the Benelux and not to one of the countries separately.

Usually, the applicant seeks trademark protection in his country (or territory) of origin and then extends protection either through the Madrid System (International trademark registrations) and/or through national filings claiming priority from a first filing or not.