How To Register Your Trademark With Inpi To Protect Against Domain Squatting In The French Market

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How to Register your Trademark with INPI to Protect Against Domain Squatting in the French Market For digital founders and expanding businesses in France, securing your online identity involves more than just buying a URL. Many business owners mistakenly believe that buying domain names provides complete legal ownership over their brand name. In reality, a domain registration only grants a temporary technical right to use that specific web address. According to official guidelines from the French Intellectual Property Office, a trademark filed in France is protected for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely, giving you the exclusive legal monopoly required to shut down bad-faith copycats. Without a registered trademark, reclaiming a hijacked domain or stopping a competitor from using your name online is extremely difficult and costly. Using a strategic, coordinated framework to secure both your trademark and your domain names is the single best way to protect your business assets and keep control of your brand online. Table of Contents Quick Summary Why Your Trademark is Your Best Defense Online Pre-Filing ...
... Step: Clear Your Brand Name First How to File a Trademark with INPI Taking Action Against Suspected Cybersquatters Cost Breakdown and Lifespan of Your Mark Common Mistakes Made by French Startups Protecting Your Brand Today Frequently Asked Questions Recommended Quick Summary Takeaway Explanation Domain vs. Trademark Domain registration secures a URL; INPI trademark registration grants exclusive brand ownership in France. Cybersquatting protection A registered trademark is legally required to launch fast dispute resolutions (like SYRELI or UDRP) for stolen domains. INPI official fees Registration starts at €190 for 1 class of goods/services, plus €40 for each additional class. Speed of protection Official registration takes around 5 months, but priority protection starts on your initial filing date. Maintenance responsibility Brands must actively monitor both trademark registries and domain registrations to stop infringement early. Why Your Trademark is Your Best Defense Online In France, IP disputes are governed by the principle of specialty and prior rights. While owning a domain name can establish some prior business activity, it does not stop a competitor from registering a similar name in another class of business or using it in offline marketing. A registered trademark with the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) serves as the primary legal foundation when dealing with unauthorized third-party digital registrations. According to INPI's digital brand strategy guide , having a registered trademark gives you the legal authority to take action against domain registrations that create public confusion or trade on your reputation. Pre-Filing Step: Clear Your Brand Name First Before you submit your trademark application or buy any domain names, you must make sure the name is actually available for use