Barker Brettell reported as filing the most EU trade marks on behalf of US applicants in 2025 as EUIPO confirms a record year for EU trade mark and EU design filings
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has recently reported that 2025 was a record year for EU Trade Mark (EUTM) and EU design (EUD) filings since EU filings began in 1996, with 327,735 being filed in that year, surpassing the record of 313,928 set in 2021.
In terms of US applicants, Robert Reading (Senior Director, Brand Strategy and Special Projects, IP Group at Clarivate) recently reported here that of all professional representatives before the EUIPO, Barker Brettell filed the most EUTMs on behalf of US applicants in 2025.
Trade marks
There was a 9.4% increase on 2024 with 196,886 EUTM applications being received in 2025, although that did not quite break the record year of 2011 that saw over 198,000 EUTM filings. Growth was largely driven by EU applicants, accounting for the largest share of applications in 2025 of over 57.5% of all EUTM applications received. Germany (12.7%), Italy (6.9%) and Spain (6.4%) led the way for filings from EU applicants.
Outside of the EU, applications from China also continued to increase, growing by 13.3% (accounting for almost 16% of all EUTMs). China was followed by the USA which accounted for 9% of applicants and the UK accounting for 4.2% of applicants.
The top classes covered, in order, were 35, 9, 42, 41, 25, 5, 3, 37, 16 and 36.
These increases in EUTM filings mirror increases being reported for trade mark filings in 2025 from many national IP offices including the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain.
Designs
EU designs (EUDs) also increased in 2025. The EUIPO received 130,849 design applications, constituting a 6% rise on 2024’s figures and the second consecutive year of a record-breaking number of filings.
For the first time in the history of EUDs, filings from applicants outside of the EU accounted for the majority of design filings, representing 52% of all EUD applications.
China led the way, with filings increasing by 18.4% (accounting for 29.9 % of all EUDs applications received), followed by the United Kingdom (17.8% of all EUDs) and the United States (8.4% of all EUDs).
Within the EU, filings were led by Germany (13.4%), followed by Italy (10.5%), Poland (4.2%), France (4%) and Spain (3.4%).
So, what has driven that growth? Factors no doubt include ongoing economic recovery in major EU and other markets, increased digitalisation and globalisation, the continued progress of AI and technology, and increased awareness amongst applicants as to the value of IP in business and on the balance sheet. The introduction of craft and industrial geographical indications (CIGIs) in December 2025 also contributed to that increase, with 45 CIGI applications being received in the first few weeks of launch. Stones and minerals, and textiles were the main products covered.
The EUIPO continues to innovate and invest in its services, no doubt leading to increased confidence in the office, leading to more applicants seeking to file EUTMs and EUDs.
For more information on protecting your global intellectual property, please contact one of the authors, Liselott Enström or Catherine Wiseman, or your usual Barker Brettell trade mark attorney.
