Previously, EU trade marks were subject to restrictions - of little practical significance - based on the nationality, residence and establishment of the applicant. With the entry into force of Council Regulation No. 422/2004^[1] on 10 March 2004, these restrictions were removed. The principles set out above therefore also apply to EU trade marks.
An application for international registration of a trade mark under the MMA or PMMA can be filed by any German citizen as well as by anyone who is domiciled or has a commercial establishment in the Federal Republic of Germany (Art. 1, 2 MMA, Art. 3 Paris Convention; Art. 2 PMMA).