Where should you protect your brand?

You need to consider where you want to register your mark to ensure it is the right registration for you and your business.

You need to not only consider the financial aspects but any future potential of expansion. This can impact where you should apply to have your trade mark registered.

UK Registration

 This application, as the name suggests, will only allow you to have protection against any other mark in the UK. The application is to be submitted to the UK Intellectual Property Office and carries a fee of £200. While this is a cost effective way to protect your brand so as long as it will only be based in the UK, it does not give any scope for expansion to any other countries.

EU registration

A newly revolutionised system, applying for protection in the EU allows you to prevent any infringement in all 28 member states of the EU. By submitting an application to the EU Intellectual Property Office, it is a one stop shop that allows you to gain a widespread of protection with one application. This will allow you to expand your business in the future, save in the knowledge that your mark will be protected. To submit an application in the EU, the fee is €850.

International registration

To allow you to gain protection in a wider spread of countries, you can apply for international protection. Through the Madrid system, you are able to submit an application to a number of international organisations using one application. While this system is a one stop solution for you to obtain and maintain protection in multiple markets, it is an expensive way to gain protection. Wide spread protection comes with a high price tag which would not be suitable for a small or medium sized business.

For further assistance, when choosing where to register your mark, The Trademarkroom has the expertise to help you.

By Ellis Sweetenham