Reguligence represents clients before the Bulgarian Patent Office (BPO) and the EUIPO. We work in English, German and Bulgarian and handle the local steps in Bulgaria for you.
Three routes to protection in Bulgaria
| Route | Territory | Office | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| National trade mark | Bulgaria | Bulgarian Patent Office | Examined and opposed under Bulgarian law |
| EU trade mark | The whole EU, including Bulgaria | EUIPO | Unitary effect; an obstacle in one Member State can be enough to refuse |
| International registration (Madrid System) | Designated countries | WIPO, then each designated Office | Not a „world trade mark“: a bundle of national rights |
The right route depends on your business plan, budget and the risk of conflicts with earlier rights. We advise you on the options before filing.
What we do
- Searches and clearance before filing
- Applications at the BPO and the EUIPO; designating Bulgaria in international registrations
- Oppositions, both filing them and defending against them
- Revocation and invalidity: actions to remove a mark for non-use or a defect at registration, and the defence
- Proof of use: assembling evidence when the other side requests it
- Appeals against decisions of the Offices
- Infringement actions before Bulgarian courts
Local specifics
- Proceedings before the BPO are conducted in Bulgarian (documents must be filed in Bulgarian or with a Bulgarian translation, Article 3a of the Law). We prepare the filings and translations and agree the content with you in English or German.
- Bulgarian law distinguishes revocation (a later loss of the right, notably non-use) from invalidity (a defect at registration). Conditions and procedures differ (Articles 35 and 36 of the Bulgarian Law on Marks and Geographical Indications; under EU law Articles 58 to 60 EUTMR).
- Time limits run from the date stated in the Office’s notification. Send it to us at once; we calculate the deadline ourselves.
EUIPO proceedings
We handle applications, oppositions, revocation and invalidity actions and appeals before the Boards of Appeal. For oppositions, see EUIPO opposition and cancellation.
FAQ
1. Can a lawyer in Bulgaria handle an EUIPO case in English or German?
Yes. We agree strategy and drafts with you in English or German. The language of the proceedings itself follows the EUIPO’s language rules (English, French, German, Italian or Spanish). In an opposition it is the language of the application or its second language, unless the parties agree on another official language of the Union (Article 146 EUTMR). We clarify it at the start.
2. Do I need a representative if my company is based in Switzerland?
Parties with no seat or domicile in the European Economic Area generally have to be represented by an authorised representative in EUIPO proceedings, except for filing an application; Switzerland is not in the EEA. We check whether this applies in your case (Articles 119(2) and 120 EUTMR).
3. Does an EU trade mark automatically cover Bulgaria?
Yes, an EU trade mark has unitary effect across all Member States. The same applies to obstacles: a ground for refusal that exists in only one Member State (for example an earlier right there) can be enough to defeat the application as a whole (Articles 1(2), 7(2) and 8 EUTMR).
4. Is an international registration a „worldwide trade mark“?
No. An international registration under the Madrid System is a bundle of national rights in the designated countries, each examined by the designated Office under its own law. In the first five years it depends on the basic mark (Article 6 Madrid Protocol).
5. What happens if my mark is not used?
A mark that is not genuinely used for a long period can be revoked on request. In opposition proceedings, the other side can also require the opponent to prove use of its earlier mark. We prepare the evidence. The relevant period is five years in each case (Articles 47(2) and 58(1)(a) EUTMR; Articles 21 and 35 of the Bulgarian Law on Marks and Geographical Indications).
6. How long does an opposition take?
It depends on the type of proceedings, the number of submissions, the evidence and the Office’s workload. A fixed estimate would not be reliable. After reviewing your documents we outline the expected steps with the deadlines set by law or by the Office.
7. What do you need for a first assessment?
- The file number and the Office’s latest notification with its date (we calculate the deadline from it)
- Earlier submissions and evidence
- Information on use of the mark and on the goods and services
- A short description of your goal (defend, attack, settle)
We treat your information as confidential.
Contact
Tell us briefly what you need and, if you have it, the date of the Office’s latest notification: info@reguligence.com · +359 887 678 190.
Last updated: October 2026