How do you trademark your logo in the UK?
In this blog, Castle’s Head of Branding & Design Pete Richardson walks you through the crucial steps it is possible to mark a trademark within the UK.
A trademark (sometimes written as “trade mark”) is essential to protect the identity of your company. It lets you take charge of how your goods or services will be advertised to customers and recognized by them and potential customers. Your logo is an excellent example. Marking your logo as a trademark is very essential; doing this will ensure that no one other person can copy or abuse this vital aspect of your branding.
In this blog I’ll go over some of the fundamentals of the significance of trademarks and why they’re important to your company. After that, I’ll guide you through the steps of how to trademark your logo for use in the UK.
How do you define a trademark?
While most of us are aware of the term and can probably think of an example trademarks can be difficult to define.
At its most fundamental degree, a trademark is an intellectual property type. It could comprise sound, images, or words and it could be an image, it could also be a color. What ever it may be, it’s generally trademarked with respect to a particular item or service a business provides. It is the means to clearly identify your product or services to your customers clearly as well as distinguishing your products and services from services that are offered by a different trader.
Thus, in essence it is an instrument to protect the distinctive images, expressions or sounds that a company makes use of. It protects others from causing harm to the elements of your brand , or making use of them for personal gain.
Naturally that one of the most crucial aspects a company needs to mark its logo is. The logo serves as an image that represents your company, and it is the heart of your brand’s identity. Hence, it is crucial to protect it from theft or misuse.
What is the best way to trademark an image for the UK?
To trademark your logo, you’ll have apply with the authorities. Your application should be specific about what you’re trying to trademark. So that if you’re trademarking a logo, you’ll have to submit the logo’s image to the government asking to trademark it against your company.
It could take as long as 8 weeks to receive an answer to your application. In this time, the trademark is analyzed against various rules regarding what can and not be trademarked. In addition, it’s also open to opposition from other. For example, someone could think that your trademark is too similar to a trademark they own and challenge it to this on the basis.
If no one objects and there aren’t any problems that are raised within those eight weeks, you’ve earned an approved trademark. You are able to use it in the assurance that nobody else will be able make use of it for their own purposes.
Can trademarks be expired?
If you’ve been successful in trademarking your brand, isn’t a guarantee that you’re free to forget about it. Trademarks are valid for a time of ten years, and must renewal. You are able to apply for renewal of your trademark within the six-month time frame prior to the expiration of the ten-year period. If you do not complete the process your trademark will expire and anyone else will be able to utilize it. This could be detrimental to the appearance and style of any company, taking the case of digital marketing, for instance. should your trademark or logo expire in the case of an agency that is successful in marketing – this isn’t a good appearance. It is therefore important to remember to renew your trademarks on a regular way.\
Handle trademark disputes
If someone is opposed against your application for trademark the UKIPO will attempt to settle the issue. You can choose to either cancel the application, or defend it or try to deal by negotiating directly with the person who has raised the objection.
A trademark application won’t be finalized until all objections have been resolved and you might have seek legal advice when you are trying to dispute the opposition, which could cost you. When any issues are met – or there are no objections the trademark is granted within 2 weeks from expiration of the period for publication.
It is important to know the fact that even when you are able to apply for a trademark, it could be contestable or declared inadmissible. There are many reasons to object, including companies trying to register a comparable trademark, or from a company taking a wait-and-see strategy to figure out how they are planning to use your trademark.
Costs associated with trademarking names
Online registration of trademarks is the least expensive method. The cost is PS170 to apply online for one class, and each subsequent class costing PS50. The cost for applying by post is PS200 to sign up for a single class and PS50 for every additional class.
It’s worth looking into using an online registration with the UKIPO’s Right Start service. The initial cost is reduced down to PS100 as well as PS25 for every additional class, and determines if your application is compliant with the guidelines for registration. The applicant will receive a written report. if you keep to submit your application, you’ll be charged an additional PS100 plus an additional PS25 to each course.
After you’ve registered your trademark, you can begin to use it.
A trademark that is registered lasts for ten years and it is essential to make use of it in order to keep it from being lost. You’ll have to renew your application every ten years however, you don’t have to submit a new application. It is advisable to make use of your trademark for commercial purposes within the first few years after the registration. In the event that you do not use the trademark within the five years that follow could make you vulnerable to being taken down and removed from the registry.
This should remain unchanged throughout the duration. If you alter any aspect such as the font, color or design, you’ll have to file an application from scratch. If you also extend your brand to a different class of trademark, you’ll need to file a new application for the trademark to be valid for the class.