Trademark names registered as trademarks can be represented by the trademark symbol, a capital «R» in a circle: ® both steps require an investment of time and money – but in return, a company can secure its identity. Once you have determined what you want to protect and which classes you want to enroll in, you can apply to the UK Intellectual Property Office. You can register online with the UKIPO or protect a name with the TM3 form by post. Expect the process to take about four months in total if there are no objections. Branding can involve slogans, logos, product or service names, company names, and even colors. For example, which world-renowned social network comes to mind when you see a certain shade of blue, and which well-known VOIP service is instantly recognizable when they use a lighter shade of blue? There are certain places where you can advertise the use of a name, such as Bandname.com. While this does not provide legal protection, it does at least ensure that there are records of your use of the name that can be searched publicly. When you register a business with Companies House, you must do so with a company name that is currently unique in the context of their registry. Once this is done, other companies are prohibited from using the same name.
The registration of a trademark trade name involves the selection of the class of goods and services that the trademark is intended to cover. There are 45 different classes of trademarks: 34 for goods and products and 11 for services. Known as the Nice Classification, you can check out the full list of classes at the World Intellectual Property Organization. If a company wishes to let others know that it uses a trademark name as a trademark, but its owners have not yet registered the trademark with UKIPO/WIPO, it can do so by adding the ™ symbol after its brand name, as follows: Tamar Telecommunications™. Strictly speaking, you cannot «copyright» a company name. Copyright is the right to protect intellectual property (IP) such as website design or music composition from misuse by third parties. Company names don`t fall into specific parentheses of copyrighted articles, which is why you don`t tend to see the copyright symbol – – © next to a company`s name. Registering a brand name as a trademark protects the integrity of the names the company uses to communicate with its audience, which is usually shorter and faster than the company`s full name. If the name is clear enough, it may be possible to register a company or brand name as a trademark. Please contact your national patent/trademark office for more information.
Financial research, business support, writing a business plan, registering a business, and trademarks can be used together to provide complete protection for a business name. Once you`ve registered your company name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, you may be considering international trademarks. Since trademark protection is only granted in countries where your trademark is registered, it is important to have an international trademark strategic plan. A registered trademark in the United Kingdom offers protection in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Whether you have current customers in the UK or plan to expand there in the future, it`s a good idea to protect your business name in the UK, as it is a joint business partner with the US. Keep these 5 steps in mind when registering your trademark in the UK. There are additional steps for companies that want to register their brand name as a trademark internationally. This includes the application for the Madrid System, a service that offers trademark registrations in 122 countries and is operated by WIPO. Your brand needs to be unique so that regular names can be difficult. Consider using a fictitious name when considering protecting a name.
Brands like Nike, Microsoft, and Kodak are all fictitious names that have allowed them to successfully establish themselves as a single, registered company name. There is a concept known as deception, and according to these rules, a company or organization can oppose someone who is perceived to be dealing with their already established name or implying a connection with them. It is important to know that even if you successfully register a trademark, it can still be challenged and declared invalid. Objections can come from a company that is trying to register a similar trademark, or from a company that takes a wait-and-see attitude to see how you`re going to use your trademark. In today`s global economy, it`s no exaggeration to assume that a company in the US will have a reach in the UK. To protect your company name in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, you must register your trademark in the UK. Understand the pros and cons of registration through the European Union or the Madrid Protocol. Work with a lawyer to conduct a comprehensive trademark search and register your trademark. Once you have received your registration certificate, it is up to you to maintain it. Monitor the use of your trademark and respond to any notice of objection sent to you by the IPO.
Knowing and using your brand protection is a crucial part of your business` success in the UK. Starting April 3 in Liverpool, the half-day «Get It Right» First Time sessions will help you master trademarks and all other types of intellectual property (patents, designs, copyrights). These seminars will also guide you through the responsibilities of a novice director, including registering a company name with Companies House. Independent experts from the IPO and Companies House are also available to answer your questions. They invested a lot of time and creative effort to find the perfect company name. Now you want to protect that name as much as possible. In this article, you will learn how to protect a company`s name from misuse and imitation, from your business registration to your trademark.