Trade Marks help create your brand’s identity and are important marketing tools that assist consumers in identifying your product. Registering your trademark gives you the exclusive right to use the trademark which helps protect your brand.
We can assist you with preparing and filing an application for registration of your trademark which includes:
- Conducting searches to make sure that your trade mark is available for use and registration
- Assisting you to choose the relevant classes under which you can apply for a trade mark
- Filing the trade mark application
- Dealing with the examination report and any objections to the trade mark registration
Contact us to arrange a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the registration process take?
From the time of submitting your trademark application, it usually takes a minimum of 7 months until the trademark is registered. During this time, your trademark will undergo an examination process after which an examination report will be issued detailing whether your application meets the requirements, or whether there are any problems and ways of overcoming them. If the examination report identifies no issues and the application is accepted, the trademark will go into a 2 month opposition period, during which an interested party may file an opposition to the trade mark’s registration. If such opposition is filed, it can then be defended.
Should I engage a lawyer to help me with my trademark application?
We recommend engaging a lawyer to assist you with your trademark application. Trademark application fees can be costly and whilst some mistakes can be corrected, others cannot and may require you to resubmit your application at a further cost. It is therefore important that the application is properly prepared with the assistance of a lawyer before being submitted. Furthermore, oppositions can be complicated and it is, therefore, beneficial to have the assistance of a lawyer in addressing any potential oppositions.
How long is a trademark registration valid for?
Trademark registration is valid for 10 years from its filing date. It can then be renewed within 12 months before its renewal date or up to 6 months after.
Once your trademark is registered, it is important that you use the trademark, as its registration can be removed for non-use.