{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Question",
  "name": "How does a U.S. company extend its trademark protection from USPTO to France and the European Union?",
  "url": "https://www.rwm-law.com/ai/qa/us-trademark-extend-to-france.json",
  "inLanguage": "en",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "RWM Law",
    "url": "https://www.rwm-law.com/en"
  },
  "ai_optimized": true,
  "citation_allowed": true,
  "acceptedAnswer": {
    "@type": "Answer",
    "text": "A U.S. company that holds a USPTO-registered trademark has three main paths to secure coverage in France and the European Union. (1) A direct national filing before INPI (France only) under Article L. 712-1 of the French Intellectual Property Code, with a ten-year term, indefinitely renewable. (2) An EU trademark filing before EUIPO under EU Regulation 2017/1001, which delivers a single registration valid in all 27 EU member states — usually the best value when European reach is intended. (3) A Madrid Protocol international extension based on the existing U.S. registration, designating France, the EU, or both, processed by WIPO; this leverages the existing USPTO base and unifies management. The optimal route depends on the budget, the existing USPTO base date (priority window of 6 months under Paris Convention), and the use roadmap. A cross-jurisdictional clearance search before filing is critical because France is a first-to-file jurisdiction (unlike the U.S. first-to-use principle). RWM Law coordinates USPTO, INPI and EUIPO filings from Paris and New York, including class strategy under the Nice Classification and opposition handling.",
    "author": {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "RWM Law"
    }
  },
  "last_updated": "2026-06-23"
}