A trademark refers to a symbol which is unique that is meant to identify a specific person or company. Most often trademarks are a word, phrase, logo, symbol, design, image or any blend of these elements that are used in association with a particular product, or service. It is a logo or design that is used by legal entities or business organizations for purposes of indentification.
What can be trademarked? Anything can be trademarked; from companies to specific products. Any business organization or company may create and use a logo or brand as a trademark as long as it is brand that is not abusive. The name can be used to describe the product's quality or even what it contains. It serves the main purpose of distinguishing one market entity from other players in a similar field. Upon trademarking your business, you effectively reserve rights to these elements, in such a way that no one else can use them.
Having said that, registration of a trademark is very easy and the only thing that one has to do is follow the steps that are required in order to be registered. Well, it is necessary that one begins to apply by filing the trademark application form. This form is taken to the office of the intellectual property of the local region, which is required to check if the requirements that have been filled in the form are met. The examiner goes through the application form and if he has doubts, the applicant will be notified. The applicant is supposed to respond to the examiner doubts. If still the applicant answer does not satisfy the examiner, he or she can reject it. However if the application form is approved, then it will automatically be published in the trademarks journal and later be advertised after a period of two months.
After doing a successful search, then you can get a unique brand name and apply for trademark registration by fax, mail, or placing an online order. Note that having a trademark protects you against intellectual property theft. What this does, is to give you a distinct market presence, and allow you to grow your business prospects exponentially. This is especially relevant for small business owners, as it opens the avenues for expansion, and effectively levels the playing field. In principle, someone can still take the name and use it-but you still maintain the upper hand on the market front.
Trade marking, and registration are optional at most places, but, albeit recommendable-for the precise reason that they give you legal protection against a winding list of potential trademark misuse. The registration process may take anywhere from a year, to a year and a half, but after you've been included in the Trademarks Register of the Trademarks Office of the Intellectual Property Office of Industry - then its advantages make it worth the wait.
What can be trademarked? Anything can be trademarked; from companies to specific products. Any business organization or company may create and use a logo or brand as a trademark as long as it is brand that is not abusive. The name can be used to describe the product's quality or even what it contains. It serves the main purpose of distinguishing one market entity from other players in a similar field. Upon trademarking your business, you effectively reserve rights to these elements, in such a way that no one else can use them.
Having said that, registration of a trademark is very easy and the only thing that one has to do is follow the steps that are required in order to be registered. Well, it is necessary that one begins to apply by filing the trademark application form. This form is taken to the office of the intellectual property of the local region, which is required to check if the requirements that have been filled in the form are met. The examiner goes through the application form and if he has doubts, the applicant will be notified. The applicant is supposed to respond to the examiner doubts. If still the applicant answer does not satisfy the examiner, he or she can reject it. However if the application form is approved, then it will automatically be published in the trademarks journal and later be advertised after a period of two months.
After doing a successful search, then you can get a unique brand name and apply for trademark registration by fax, mail, or placing an online order. Note that having a trademark protects you against intellectual property theft. What this does, is to give you a distinct market presence, and allow you to grow your business prospects exponentially. This is especially relevant for small business owners, as it opens the avenues for expansion, and effectively levels the playing field. In principle, someone can still take the name and use it-but you still maintain the upper hand on the market front.
Trade marking, and registration are optional at most places, but, albeit recommendable-for the precise reason that they give you legal protection against a winding list of potential trademark misuse. The registration process may take anywhere from a year, to a year and a half, but after you've been included in the Trademarks Register of the Trademarks Office of the Intellectual Property Office of Industry - then its advantages make it worth the wait.
About the Author:
The Trade-mark Shop is a full-service, one-stop shop for everything to do with trade-marks. Get a Canadian trademark by visiting www.trademarkshop.ca.
