Trademark Registration – What You Need To Know
If you want to protect your logo, company name, or any sort of brand name then a trademark registration is probably the right thing for you.
A trademark is a sign that distinguishes the goods of one trader from the goods of others. Trademarks are most commonly one or more words or a logo, but other more unusual marks such as shapes and colours are possible. For a mark to qualify for protection it should be distinctive for the goods and services covered by the application.
Trademark registrations are territorial rights. For example, a UK trademark registration covers only the UK, and a French trademark covers only France.
Trademarks must be registered in respect of specified goods/services, which are split up into ‘classes’ under the Nice Classification.
Once registered a trademark can provide the owner with the exclusive right to use the same or a similar mark in relation to the goods and services for which it is registered, or in relation to similar goods and services. A trademark registration can last indefinitely, but must be renewed every 10 years (in the UK) by payment of renewal fees.
A common misconception is that registration of a company at Companies House provides the owner of the company with trademark rights in that name, but this is not the case. If a new company name conflicts with a registered trademark, that company name may have to be changed. Equally, if you do not register your company name as a trademark you might not be able to stop competitors trading with the same or a similar name later on.
A trademark registration in itself can become a valuable asset of the company that owns it. For example, the trademark Coca-Cola® is estimated to have a value in excess of 70 billion dollars.
We are able to assist you with applying for and enforcing trademark registrations.
Please contact us for a free consultation or for more information on trademark registration.
