Trademark applications (and registrations) provide you with several to protect your business and investment; in fact they will become your most dear business asset. There is a type of misconception that registering a company, purchasing the domain names and registering for tax purposes provides you the actual use of legal rights to protect your brand. This just isn’t the case; only a registered trademark can provide you with the legal backing to secure your venture and its future treatments.
Questions often arise whether to register a hallmark. The simple answer is that it is imperative, providing the only form of protection that delivers exclusive legal rights unit the company trademark for that specific goods and services, both in the offline and online environments; affording the business the capability to stop others from with the golf irons 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. Insurance policies 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 protector. It is important that the range of goods and/or services that enterprise produces is correctly classified into one of the 45 separate categories available.
It is important to highlight that trademark applications are country specific. For instance, this means that should you have a trademarked business in New Zealand that happens to be trading, or is proposing to trade, in Australia you should protect the company and business conception within australia 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 typed.
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 a ‘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 software package 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 instrument. However, objections are rare and the majority of trademark applications progress straight through to registration. When the trademark status objected registration is approved, the business will receive certification and approval in order to the exclusive user belonging to the specified trademark for the plethora of goods and services requested for under the application.