Blog Archive

• Trade mark renewals
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 09, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  How to extend your trade mark protection past the initial 10 years
    The protection of a registered mark lasts for 10 years. However, after this period the protection can be extended if an application for trade mark renewal is submitted. This application needs to be filed with the UK Intellectual Property Office and does carry a fee. If a mark is renewed every 10 years, its protection can remain indefinitely. A renewal application can be made up to six months before the mar4k expires. The UK IPO will send you an automated reminder 3 months before if [...]
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• I have received notice that I am using someone else’s trade mark, what do I do?
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 09, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Initial advice for dealing with a notice given in relation to the use of someone else's trademark
    First of all it needs to be established what your position is. If you are using a mark that is registered by someone else then it is very likely they will want to instigate an action for infringement. However if you are also using a mark that has been successfully registered at the UK Intellectual Property Office, timing needs to be considered. If your mark has been registered before the other mark, then you in fact may have a case against them. If their mark was registered before [...]
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• Have you done a trademark search?
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 09, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Have you done a trademark search?
  Have you done a trademark search?   Why do a trademark search? A trademark search is a vital part of the process. It is through the searching process that we can reveal whether your proposed trademark is capable of registration. The raison d'etre of the search is to ascertain whether or not there exists an identical or similar trademark or brand registered in the same or dissimilar classes that you seek protection in. If you do not carry out a trademark search then you are applying for [...]
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• Trade marks are vital to your business.
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 08, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Trade marks are vital to your business and are signs that can distinguish your goods and services from those of your competitors.
  Trade marks are vital to your business and are signs that can distinguish your goods and services from those of your competitors. A trade mark can be made up of words, logos or a combination of both. Made up words,logos and pictures are normally considered to be the most distinctive unless they have become common place in respect of the goods or services you are applying for- think 'hoover' and 'asprin'! Some familiar and distinctive trade marks by way of example are: Tesco, [...]
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• Do I need to carry out a trademark search?
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 07, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Free Trademark Searches are Useful but a Full Report is Crucial!
  The Trademark Search and Advice Report If you've decided on a new name for your business, product or service then you need to be sure it’s available to use. You may well have checked it out at Companies House, on Google and completed a Domain Registery check. What you may not have done is completed a registered trademark check. This will tell us if a third party has a similarly confusing mark that may cause problems with both a) your trademark application and b) your chosen name in [...]
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• What happens if somebody else uses your trademark?
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 04, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  What happens if somebody else uses your trademark?
  What happens if somebody else uses your trademark? If you went time planning and designing a name, logo, colour scheme and for your brand, you may come across “trademark infringement” but the real question is: How can you prevent anyone else from taking it?   It can be a long, painful process to defend it, trademark law can be very confusing, and it can even baffle some of the brainiest business owners, all over the world!   There are many tips, tricks and tutorials [...]
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• UK trade marks- the application process
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 02, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  When looking to register a UK trade mark, there is a process that needs to be followed.
    When looking to register a UK trade mark, there is a process that needs to be followed. Whilst this is not a complicated process, there are a number of steps that need to be fulfilled before an application is submitted. All application for the registration of UK intellectual property is done through the UK Intellectual Property Office. Not only considering and deciding applications they also hold all registers for all IP and are involved in any dispute or change to details. When [...]
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• UK Intellectual Property Office gives new scam warning
  Posted by Jane Coyle on December 02, 2015 / Posted in Trade Marks
  A new warning of a trade mark renewal scam has been issued by the UK Intellectual Property Office
    Today, the UK IPO has issued a new warning on their website in relation to the emergence of a renewal scam. They state that a Latvian company is planning to issue fake renewal reminder letters in relation to UK registered trade marks and patents asking for a fee for renewal. They are likely to disguise themselves as the UK IPO. The UK IPO give a strong warning that this has not originated from them and is in no way a legitimate way of renewing any registered trade mark. They plan to [...]
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