Trademark applications (and registrations) provide you with resources to protect your business and investment; in realization they will become your most dear business asset. There is a misconception that registering a company, purchasing the domain names and registering for tax purposes provides you along with legal rights to protect your brand. This just isn’t the case; only an authorized trademark status objected can provide you with the legal backing to secure your venture and its future surgical procedures.
Questions often arise to whether to register a brand. The simple answer is that it is imperative, providing the only form of protection providing exclusive legal rights the following the company trademark for your specific goods and services, both in the offline and online environments; affording the business the capability to stop others from using your brand and potentially damaging the reputation of the business.
In respect to a trademark application, numerous aspects surrounding the brand and image of the company can be protected. Like logos, phrases, taglines, colours, fonts and images. Furthermore, trademarks are registered for particular goods and servicing. The inclusion of a written description of this business’ offerings provides the legal specifics of insurance coverage. It is important that the range of merchandise and/or services that the business produces is correctly classified into one of the 45 separate categories in existence.
It is important to focus on that trademark applications are country specific. For instance, this means that when you’ve got a trademarked business in New Zealand that is already trading, or is proposing to trade, in Australia you should protect the emblem and business conception australia wide too. Having rights towards brand, logo and product offerings in New Zealand does not mean you have got the same rights in Australia; a separate trademark application must be wrote.
The process of a trademark application in both mentioned countries is very similar; however, there are longer confirmation times when applying for an Australian based trademark. The trademark application process in both countries are registered on the ‘first to file’ basis, which means that if another business or individual files a trademark application prior to your own, then they may gain the legal rights utilize the trademark. Once computer software is received, the trademarks office examined the application, searching for any potential issues in the application itself. It is then advertised for what is termed an ‘opposition period’, which enables other to lodge a complaint or objection re the application. However, objections are rare and the associated with trademark applications progress straight through to registration. Your trademark registration is approved, the business will receive certification and approval for the exclusive user of the specified trademark for the plethora of goods and services applied for under the application.