The Patent Office has adopted new Methodological Guidelines for registration of trademarks

On February 4, 2025, the Patent Office adopted new Methodological Guidelines for registration of trademarks – for the implementation of article 11 and article 12 of the Law on Trademarks and Geographic Indications. The Guidelines represent a summary of the Patent Office’s practice in the registration of trademarks, as well as that of the EU Intellectual Property Office.
The Methodological Guidelines clarify, through real-life examples, all scenarios where there are absolute grounds for refusal of registration of an applying trademark – like, e.g., if the trademark is formulated descriptively, or does not exhibit any distinctive features. Reviewed separately are cases where the applying trademark is identical with, or similar to, an earlier trademark, as there are grounds for refusal of registration if the proprietor of earlier trademark rights lodges an opposition. The Methodological Guidelines for registration of trademarks examine in detail individual scenarios of identity or close similarity between trade marks, as well as how to establish identity or close similarity between the goods or services for which they are registered; when a trademark has a reputation, and when there is a non-registered trademark in need of protection.
The new version of the Methodological Guidelines is available at: https://www.bpo.bg/uploaded/files/1451-Metodicheski-ukazaniya-za-prilagane-na-chl.-11-i-chl.-12-ot-Zakona-za-markite-i-geografskite-oznachenie.pdf