Blog Archive
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 31, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksThe 1994 Act has been in force for exactly 23 years today- but do you know the history of trade marks before the system as we know it was put in place.While trade marks as a concept have been intertwined in civilisation for quite some time, with traders and merchants using unique symbols to indicate their products separate from their competitors, it has only between in the last 200 years that clear rules and guidance has been given. There are a number of key pieces of legislation that carved out exactly what trade marks are today. Merchandise Marks Act 1862 - this was the first Act of Parliament that specifically made copying another [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 26, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksFor those who are new to trade marks, the application process can seem complicated and may deter you from going ahead and protecting your brand.For those who are new to trade marks, the application process can seem complicated and may deter you from going ahead and protecting your brand. However, the application process is broken down into stages which can make it more business friendly. The Trademarkroom has filed thousands of trade marks around the world and therefore can aid you through the whole process. However, we would like our clients to be completely clear of each stage to ensure you are happy with how things are [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 25, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksThe UK Brand Loyalty Index has gathered data from 5,000 consumers asking their thoughts on the most popular brands in a wide range of products and services and how they interact to them.There are many surveys out there looking the biggest brands out there and how they have increased their success through a strong intellectual property stance. However, the latest survey to catch people’s attention is the first of its kind. The UK Brand Loyalty Index has gathered data from 5,000 consumers asking their thoughts on the most popular brands in a wide range of products and services and how they interact to them. The questions asked to consumers focused on their readiness to [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 25, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksAs previously reported on The Trademarkroom blog, Toblerone were flexing their trade mark muscles to Poundland who were pushing to release a copycat ‘Twin Peaks’ bar.As previously reported on The Trademarkroom blog, Toblerone were flexing their trade mark muscles to Poundland who were pushing to release a copycat ‘Twin Peaks’ bar. Poundland argued that their bar differed to the well-known Swiss peaks as it was based on the Wrekin and Ercall hills in Shropshire. Toblerone started legal proceedings arguing that Poundland had taken advantage of Toblerone’s distinctive character in creating the new bar. However, the legal battle took a more [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 19, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksYou need to be aware that not all correspondence you receive that appears to be legitimate is in fact that.There have been a number of announcements from the UK Intellectual Property Office in the recent months, warning of fake invoices that could be very costly. You need to be aware that not all correspondence you receive that appears to be legitimate is in fact that. A number of fake invoices have been received by trade mark owners claiming to be form the UK IPO stating that their trade mark is up for renewal and a substantial higher than normal fee needs to be paid. The fake invoices are seeming [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 19, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksA peek at the Chinese trade mark systemThe Chinese system has similarities to the UK in the sense that trade mark registration is there to protect signs, shapes, logos and colours. It is also the same in the fact that protection in a registered trade mark lasts for an initial ten years and can be renewed indefinitely every ten years after that. However, the system does have differences to the UK so it is best to make yourself familiar with the process before moving forward with an application. Registration There are two ways in [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 19, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksWhen registering a trade mark, it is impossible to register your brand name for every type of goods and every service available.When registering a trade mark, it is impossible to register your brand name for every type of goods and every service available. This would create a monopoly over that name and would ultimately prevent businesses from expanding and adapting. Therefore, when submitting your application, you must indicate which goods or which services you would like it to cover. All goods and services are categorised into classes, where like goods and like services are grouped together for ease of registration. [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 10, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksTrade mark watching is a process completed by the trade mark owner, or someone on their behalf, in which any action taken by a third party which may take advantage or infringe your brand.While the crucial step is to register your trade mark, it is equally important to continually monitor your registered marks to ensure they are not being used and abused by someone else. This monitoring can be done through the process of trade mark watching. Trade mark watching is a process completed by the trade mark owner, or someone on their behalf, in which any action taken by a third party which may take advantage or infringe your brand. The watcher will be looking for any potentially [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 10, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksThe acceptance by Companies House is in no way confirmation of a plain sailing trade mark application.It is a common misconception that an acceptance of a business name by Companies House means that business is automatically entitled to register that business name as a trade mark. Companies House are the body in the UK which regulate the incorporation of companies. It is their job to ensure that businesses are not all registered with the same name. This would of course cause confusion and could present problems as the businesses trade. However, just because Companies House has accepted your [...]Read more
- Posted by Jane Coyle on October 05, 2017 / Posted in Trade MarksWhat many people don’t realise is that not only can a trade mark be beneficial financially in its use as an indication of quality and reputation to customers but its value as a mark in itself can be high.What many people don’t realise is that not only can a trade mark be beneficial financially in its use as an indication of quality and reputation to customers but its value as a mark in itself can be high. Many large corporations have a vast library of protected intellectual property. If the current owners were to sell to another, that person would be buying not only the physical assets but also any trade marks or designs etc they may have. With this comes the businesses reputation, its [...]Read more