BOIP

The Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) is the official intellectual property office for the Benelux Union, which comprises Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It administers the registration and protection of Benelux intellectual property rights in the areas of trademarks and designs, and maintains the corresponding registers and publications. A Benelux registration provides protection across all three member states.

BOIP handles the filing, examination, registration, renewal, and enforcement processes for Benelux trademarks and Benelux designs. It manages opposition and invalidity procedures, issues decisions, and provides search and information services to applicants and rights holders. The Benelux Trademark Register and the Benelux Design Register are the official public records maintained by the office.

The office operates under the framework of the Benelux Convention on Intellectual Property and related regulations, reflecting close cooperation among the three member states. While Benelux rights cover Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, rights owners may also seek broader protection through other routes, such as a European Union trademark or a national filing in each country.

BOIP offers electronic services for filing, management, and renewal of applications and registrations, as well as online search tools and guidance materials. It also provides clients with information on procedures, fees, and deadlines, and works to harmonize practices with broader European and international intellectual property standards.

In summary, BOIP serves as the central regional IP office for trademarks and designs in the Benelux, facilitating registration, protection, and public access to Benelux IP rights.