{"id":226991,"date":"2026-11-12T13:46:04","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T13:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oryon.be\/?p=226991"},"modified":"2026-11-12T14:48:19","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T14:48:19","slug":"record-number-of-trade-mark-applications-is-your-brand-name-still-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oryon.be\/en\/record-number-of-trade-mark-applications-is-your-brand-name-still-available\/","title":{"rendered":"Record number of trade mark applications: is your brand name still available?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

European trade mark applications are breaking records. In the first half of 2026, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) received no fewer than 104,263 applications for EU trade marks. That is 8.4% more than in the same period last year. Which raises the question: how do you know whether your brand name is still available? And can you rely on AI to find out?<\/strong><\/p>\n

More trade marks, more reason to think ahead<\/h2>\n

Coming up with a strong brand name<\/a> is not easy. You want a name that sticks, suits your business and sets you apart from competitors. But even once you\u2019ve found the perfect name, you\u2019re not there yet. Are you actually allowed to use that name and register it as a trade mark?<\/p>\n

The EUIPO figures show that European trade mark protection is more popular than ever. In the first six months of 2026, more than 100,000 EU trade mark applications were filed, breaking the previous record set in 2021. That doesn\u2019t automatically mean it is getting harder to register a trade mark. But the figures do underline how important it is to check in advance that your trade mark doesn\u2019t conflict with existing rights.<\/p>\n

AI gives you the green light. Can you rely on it?<\/h2>\n

Say you\u2019ve come up with an original brand name for a new product. Before investing in a logo, packaging and a website, you ask Claude whether the name is still available. The answer sounds reassuring: there appear to be no conflicting trade marks. So can you go ahead with peace of mind?<\/p>\n

Not necessarily. AI can be a useful tool for an initial exploration, but a positive answer is no guarantee that your brand name is safe. Specialised AI tools can search large volumes of trade mark data, detect similarities and flag potential conflicts. However, the reliability of the results depends on factors such as the databases used, the search settings and the way the technology works. Generative AI can also provide incorrect information, or even refer to trade marks that don\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n

A trade mark search takes more than a search query<\/h2>\n

A professional trade mark search<\/a> is not just about whether an identical name has already been registered. Trade marks that are spelled differently can also be a problem. Think of two names that sound very similar when spoken, or names that sound different but mean the same thing.<\/p>\n

Other factors also come into play:<\/p>\n