Trademarks

If you want to protect your logo, company name, or any sort of brand name then registering a trademark is probably the right thing for you.

A trademark is a sign that distinguishes the goods of one trader from the goods of others. Trade marks 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.

Trademarks are territorial rights. For example, a UK trademark 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. More information on this may be found here.

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 you might not be able to stop competitors trading with the same or a similar name later on.

If you have any unregistered marks that are important to you or your company then you may wish to consider filing a trademark application. UK trademark registration through London IP Ltd can be relatively inexpensive, starting from as little as £445+VAT for the whole process (including the £170 officiial fee for a trademark application in one class). Trademark registrations in themselves can become valuable assets of the company that owns them. 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.