The Importance of a Trademark Watch Service

It’s a common misconception that once you have registered your mark, you are fully covered. However, another company could still apply for a trade mark that is either highly similar or even identical to yours. A trade mark watch service could heighten your protection extensively by giving you the option to oppose.

What is a trade mark watch service?

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.

Trade mark examiners don’t always see a conflict which could mean an identical mark to that of your own is registered, possibly under a different class of goods and services. It is somewhat harder to cancel a trade mark that is already registered in comparison to opposing one during its registration process. So it is always best to catch a pre-existing conflict sooner than later. As such, trade mark watch services are designed to allow you to monitor and analyze any concerning or conflicting marks in which you can then decide whether you want to do something about them.

Generally, a trade mark watch service will give you the following information:

1. When a new application is filed
2. When a new application is published
3. Which class of goods and services the application is filed under
4. The type of mark that is applied for (logo, word etc)

With the information given to you through trade mark watch reports, you can oppose the conflicting mark whilst it is still in the registration process or negotiate a resolution with the marks owner -  which could substantially  reduce your business costs in the long run.

A trade watch service is undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to protect your intellectual property. 

The Trademarkroom can offer you a watch service that will not only provide you with piece of mind that your marks are being looked after by the experts but that you will be receiving the service at a business friendly cost – take action to protect your mark today!

If you have any questions regarding the watch service, please contact the Trademarkroom where we would be happy to assist you.

By Sena Tokel