The owners or exclusive licensees of trademarks that have been registered for at least 50 years, or for which continuous use can be demonstrated for at least 50 years, and are used for the commercialization of products or services manufactured by an Italian company of excellence historically connected to the national territory, can apply for the trademark to be registered in the register of historic trademarks of national interest.
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IT IS FOR
CONDITION FOR REGISTRATION
A necessary condition for registration is that the trademark has been registered for at least 50 years and continuously renewed over time, or, in the case of an unregistered trademark, that there has been effective and continuous use for at least 50 years, to be proven.
In the case of an unregistered trademark, to prove continuous use for 50 years, the following documentation may be submitted as evidence:
Samples of packaging
Labels
Price lists
Catalogs
Invoices
Shipping or export documents
Photographs
Newspaper ads and written statements on similar media
TIMELINE
The competent office will verify these conditions within a maximum of 60 days for registered trademarks and within 180 days for unregistered trademarks. The registration is indefinite, does not require renewal, and can be subject to a cancellation request by the owner through a formal renunciation application.
HOW TO REGISTER
The procedure is very simple and can only be initiated online.
Each interested party must complete the process independently, attaching any necessary documentation required to prove the historical significance of the trademark, in case it was not already registered at the time.
COSTS
A fee of 16 euros is required for the submission of the application.
It is important to note that the recognition of the Historic Trademark of National Interest by the Ministry of Economic Development and Made in Italy is distinct from the recognition of “historical activity,” which is granted by individual Italian regions. For more information, you can find the relevant regulations on the websites of each region.
