Trademark applications (and registrations) provide you with several to protect your business and investment; in realization they will become your best business asset. There is a misconception that registering a company, purchasing the website names and registering for tax purposes provides you that isn’t legal rights to protect your brand. This is simply not the case; only an authorized trademark can provide you with the legal backing to secure your venture and its future treatments.
Questions often arise whether to register a logo. The simple answer is that it is imperative, providing the only form of protection providing exclusive legal rights unit the company trademark for the specific goods and services, both in the offline and online environments; affording the business the capability to stop others from using your brand and potentially damaging the reputation of organization.
In respect to a trademark application, numerous aspects surrounding the brand and image of the company can be protected. Insurance policies logos, phrases, taglines, colours, fonts and images. Furthermore, trademarks are registered for particular goods and services. The inclusion of a written description of this business’ offerings provides the legal specifics of policy. It is important that the range of merchandise and/or services that business produces is correctly classified into one of the 45 separate categories in the market.
It is important to spotlight that trademark applications are country specific. For instance, this means that in case you have a trademarked business in New Zealand that is actually trading, or is proposing to trade, in Australia you should protect the brand and business conception nationwide too. Having rights to the brand, logo and product offerings in New Zealand does not mean that you have the same rights in Australia; a separate trademark application must be keyed in.
The process of a trademark application in both mentioned countries is very similar; however, there are longer confirmation times when applying for an Australian based trademark. The trademark application process in both countries are registered on the ‘first to file’ basis, which means that if another business or individual files a trademark application prior to your own, then they may gain the legal rights to be able to the trademark. Once computer software is received, the trademarks office examined the application, searching for any potential issues in the application itself. It is then advertised for what is termed an ‘opposition period’, which enables other to lodge a complaint or objection re the job. However, objections are rare and the associated with trademark applications progress straight through to registration. Once the trademark registration is approved, the business will receive certification and approval to be the exclusive user among the specified trademark status objected for all the different goods and services inked under the application.