The CTMR relates to registered CTMs. It does not establish unitary protection for unregistered trademarks or company/trade names, yet unregistered trademarks or other signs used in the course of trade of more than mere local significance and conferring on its proprietor the right to prohibit the use of a subsequent trademark according to Art 8 (4) CTMR can be the basis for an opposition or an application for declaration of invalidity.
