![]() If you need to stop someone from using a trade mark that is the same or similar to your mark, your company name registration is no basis of an objection. Registering a company name gives you no rights other than to stop someone else registering the exact same name at Companies House. The fact that your trade mark is part of your registered company name is no help at all. So, what do you do to protect your trade mark?įirst, let's get a couple of common misconceptions out of the way: If confusion arises, you will not lose just the one sale. If just one sale is lost because someone has bought goods from another company thinking that they are your goods, or if you are a service provider and you lose out on work that should have come to you because one of your competitors has used your mark or something similar, that is already too much lost business. Think – if someone else used your trade mark (or even a similar mark), would your customers (or potential new customers) be confused? And would that confusion be detrimental to your business? Most trade marks, of course, are not as valuable as Coca Cola or Microsoft, but, still, your mark is an asset that should be protected against potential misuse by others. How much would someone pay to be the only one allowed to use Coca Cola for fizzy drinks? Or Microsoft for computers? Some trade marks are so valuable, it is near impossible to put a price on them. You can't trade without one – how else would your existing customers find you again and how would new customers find you in the first place? ![]() Want to apply for a trademark? Read our full guide on how to register a trademark in the UK to learn more.Every company has a trade mark. You can then use your logo design secure in the knowledge that you are protected should a third party decide to imitate it. FinaliseĪfter your application has been processed – an estimated four to five months for a UK mark or nine to twelve months for a community mark – your logo will be fully protected as your intellectual property. Read more about the class of trademark you want for your logo 5. The two differ greatly in terms of cost and the length of the process. There are two options: a UK trademark or a community trademark (which will protect you in all 27 companies of the EU). Once you're ready to fill out your application, the next step is to decide how wide geographically you want to protect your logo. File your application to trademark your logo If you choose to use a trademark attorney in the UK, make sure they are listed by the trade body at the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys 4. If you begin to trademark your logo and later encounter an issue, it may cost you more time and money in the long run, than if you had received advice along the way. It is possible to trademark your logo yourself online, however, the legalities of trademarking can be intricate. If your mark is distinctive and you have checked the trademark registers to ensure there is no chance of infringement, then you are ready to proceed with trademarking your logo. Use an attorney, or trademark your logo yourself online There are three types of valid trademark in the UK, and all need to be searched. To avoid this, before you decide to trademark your logo, you need to make sure the mark has not been recorded by another company. Trademark infringement may require legal action, even if accidental. Avoid infringing someone else's trademark. You must make sure your trademark is distinctive, and not merely descriptive of the product or service that you offer. You cannot simply register a word featuring in the dictionary word, or words, that are generally used to describe the service you are offering. In fact, any unique symbol or design that distinguishes your business is eligible for trademarking with the UK Intellectual Property Office. You can trademark your logo, a combination of words, images, phrases, shapes or corporate colours under protection law. Decide what you want to trademarkįirstly, think about what it is you want to protect. Protect against third-party imitation by following this step-by-step guide. Trademarking your logo will ensure the ultimate security for your brand's individuality.
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