Registered Trade Marks

Anything which can be represented graphically can be a Trade Mark.

The most common ones are a word, logo, slogan, tagline, packaging or get-up, shape or colour. However, even smells, sounds and colours can be registered as Trade Marks if they can be written as chemical formulae or music or identified by a pantone name.

Why register a Trade Mark?

Quite simply, to protect it. Significant goodwill attaches to your name or brand and its close identification with your business can act as a quality guarantee to your customers. Although the law of passing off provides limited protection, it is easier to prevent infringement of a registered Trade Mark and registration will prevent anyone else registering anything confusingly similar which might put you into the position of infringer.

Are all marks registerable?

No - words or signs which are not distinctive or are primarily descriptive or geographic may be refused by the UK Intellectual Property Office. Very often an unacceptable name or sign can be modified to make it acceptable - we can advise.

The Registration Process

We can help you with registerability, searches and applications.

Enforcement

In the case of infringement we offer a full dispute resolution and litigation service and can take appropriate action to protect your rights.