This country is a member of the European Union. A trademark may be registered exclusively in this country or through the European Community Trademark (CTM) system. Member countries providing protection under the European Community Trademark include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Trademarks are assigned through the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (SPRO). Sweden is a member of the Madrid Protocol. A trademark is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.