A Short Guide To Using Your TRADE MARK

(not forgetting your Domain Names).

Your TRADE MARK distinguishes your goods or services from those of other traders.

Your TRADE MARK signifies the goodwill of your business.  Don’t risk that goodwill or risk damage to this valuable property by misusing it.

Your TRADE MARK should be designated TRADE MARK® in countries where it has been registered or TRADE MARK™ in a situation where it is not registered.

Whether designated as TRADE MARK™ or as TRADE MARK®  this valuable property must not be used as an alternative name or generic description for the category of goods for which it is protected.             

Did you know that ‘Aspirin’ was once a registered trade mark to designate acetylsalicylic acid and that 'Escalator’ was once a registered trade mark  to designate "moving staircases"? They are now the common names of the products which they originally protected!

Your TRADE MARK should always be used in the form in which it was registered.

DOMAIN NAMES can be lost irretrievably if there is no policy in place covering their registration and use.  Once lost they might never be recovered so it is important to ensure you have a consistent policy covering registration and acquisition of Domain Names.  Did you know many domain names have been lost simply because there was no policy in place covering by whom they should be registered?

Your TRADE MARK and Domain Name portfolios should be reviewed regularly and a fresh registration obtained covering any variation that is significantly different from the original REGISTERED TRADE MARK.  We provide a fast, efficient and cost effective auditing service.

We will review and audit your sales literature and your web site to provide a portfolio of your rights and detailed recommendations and guidelines for developing new brands, updating existing brands and registering domain names. It is important that trade marks are used consistently and that there are clear guidelines covering how they should be used, what should be registered and in particular by whom and when domain names should be registered.  We will prepare a fact sheet and guide tailored to your particular needs.