We may think that recording intellectual property (IP) ownership rights are somewhat new occurrence it is not. Even the Romans stamped bricks to show their sign of ownership. Trademark law is quite ancient dating back to the year 1266 in England. The old law known as the "bakers marking law" used to show the maker of a loaf of bread. Each baker would have their own registered mark.
Trademark law is now well established internationally. Almost every single established business now has their own mark that uniquely defines their brand. Most people think that you have to legally register a mark to be able to use it but the opposite is true. You register a mark so that others cannot use it! When you register a trademark you gain the unique right to be the only one to use the mark or to control who can use it.
A trademark is a unique mark that allows customers to distinguish you without seeing your product or service. It is a unique part of your brand. Trials have shown that you can show just part of a noted trademark and people know which brand it belongs to. This indicates the power of a good image and how the brain works at remembering such things. This is why it is key to legally protect important marks and words.
In most countries if you create something yourself you have the sole rights to use this. However if an idea is used by many people it very quickly becomes common property and cannot be registered. It is always best to legally register marks and ideas. Registration legally specifies the date of ownership beyond any sense of doubt. In some countries common law gives some protective cover but at the end of the day you have more protection if you hire trademark lawyers to protect key IP.
These days you can self-register a trademark but there are inherent hazards of doing this of course. Trademark attorneys of course know how to register and how to protect ownership if the rights are abused. They know the full story of registration and protection. If you self-register you may get a cheap registration but you may have left a loop-hole for somebody to misuse your rights later on.
Registration of trademarks can be done in one or more countries. Currently there is no such thing as a international trademark. You have to register in all the countries where you require protection.
Registration has become easier over the recent years with the creation of systems like the Madrid System of International Registration of Marks through the World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva, Switzerland but global registration is still a slow and fairly high-priced process.
Of course the benefits of registering a trademark outweigh the costs and challenges. If you are serious about your company you should be looking at registration today.
Trademark law is now well established internationally. Almost every single established business now has their own mark that uniquely defines their brand. Most people think that you have to legally register a mark to be able to use it but the opposite is true. You register a mark so that others cannot use it! When you register a trademark you gain the unique right to be the only one to use the mark or to control who can use it.
A trademark is a unique mark that allows customers to distinguish you without seeing your product or service. It is a unique part of your brand. Trials have shown that you can show just part of a noted trademark and people know which brand it belongs to. This indicates the power of a good image and how the brain works at remembering such things. This is why it is key to legally protect important marks and words.
In most countries if you create something yourself you have the sole rights to use this. However if an idea is used by many people it very quickly becomes common property and cannot be registered. It is always best to legally register marks and ideas. Registration legally specifies the date of ownership beyond any sense of doubt. In some countries common law gives some protective cover but at the end of the day you have more protection if you hire trademark lawyers to protect key IP.
These days you can self-register a trademark but there are inherent hazards of doing this of course. Trademark attorneys of course know how to register and how to protect ownership if the rights are abused. They know the full story of registration and protection. If you self-register you may get a cheap registration but you may have left a loop-hole for somebody to misuse your rights later on.
Registration of trademarks can be done in one or more countries. Currently there is no such thing as a international trademark. You have to register in all the countries where you require protection.
Registration has become easier over the recent years with the creation of systems like the Madrid System of International Registration of Marks through the World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva, Switzerland but global registration is still a slow and fairly high-priced process.
Of course the benefits of registering a trademark outweigh the costs and challenges. If you are serious about your company you should be looking at registration today.
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