Trademark

Any person who claims to own a Trade Mark can be a person, company, proprietor or legal entity. Applications for the Trade Mark can be filed within a few days and you can start using the “TM” symbol. You can use ® (registered symbol) next to your Trade Mark after your Trade Mark has been registered and a certificate of registration has been issued.

The functions of a Trade Mark are:

1. It identifies the service or product and its source.
2. It guarantees its quality.
3. Helps advertise a service or product.

Different types of Trade Marks:

1. A name (including the signature of the applicant’s personal or surname or predecessor or person in business).
2. A coined word or an invented word or any arbitrary dictionary word or term, not directly descriptive of the character or quality of the goods/service.
3. Alphanumeric or Letters or numerals or any combination thereof.
4. Image, symbol, monogram, 3-dimensional shape, letter, etc.
5. Sound trail in audio format.

Need for registration of a Trade Mark for your business:

1. A Trade Mark is an important asset to the business and contributes to the goodwill generated.
2. With a registered Trade Mark, one can block others in relation to goods or services that use their trademarked business name/logo.
3. A Trade Mark can be treated just like any other form of property such as immovable property, it can be sold, licensed or assigned.
4. This guarantees the identification of the origin of goods and services.
5. This stimulates further purchases.
6. It serves as a badge of loyalty and affiliation.
7. This can enable the consumer to make a lifestyle or fashion statement.