Trade mark scam - New style of fake EUIPO requests for payment

Trade mark applicants have, over the years, become increasingly familiar with fake invoices purportedly issued by trade mark registries. A new scam has come to light involving fake EUIPO decision notifications which include a demand for payment of a registration fee.

The fake decision uses EUIPO’s logo, name, acronym and letterhead. It is, however, obviously incorrect on one very important point: the EUIPO only charges an official fee at the time of filing an application, the official registration fee was removed many years ago. Therefore, the demand for a registration fee is clearly wrong. The scam also requests payment to a Polish bank account, whereas the EUIPO’s account is based in Spain.

We will attend to the payment of official EUIPO fees for any EUTMs filed via our firm and any official correspondence should be sent directly to us where we are the address for service. If you do receive any direct correspondence regarding your trade marks please do send us a copy by email and we would be glad to advise whether action is required or whether it is a scam. 

The EUIPO is urging anyone who receives a scam decision to report it to information@euipo.europa.eu.

For further advice please contact Mary Bagnall or Charlotte Duly.