Author: Rachael
Are You Effectively Managing Your Trade Mark Portfolio?
Trade Mark portfolio management wasn’t the first thing on your mind when you started your business. You probably only had one trade mark to register. After all, your company was still in its infancy, and that’s all you needed. However, as time passes and your business grows, you’re beginning to amass new trade marks as your […]
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Why A Bespoke Trade Mark Specification Will Afford You The Best Protection
Is a bespoke trade mark specification essential? Let’s look at the evidence. The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) uses a worldwide trade mark classification system that groups together similar goods and services into 45 classes for trade mark registration purposes. Registering your trade mark is essential. It prevents someone else registering the same or a […]
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Litigation – Why It’s Best To Protect Yourself From The Outset
Litigation is the term used to describe proceedings initiated between two opposing parties to enforce or defend a legal right. In the case of trade marks, litigation begins the moment someone decides to formally enforce or defend their legal rights. The reality of litigation is that it is an incredibly stressful experience. It also has the […]
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What Is Trade Mark Confusion?
Your trade mark is a unique signifier to consumers of the origin and quality of your products or services. It’s just one of the things that stands you apart from your competitors. The idea is that it is individual to you. That’s why, when you applied to register your trade mark, the UKIPO (United Kingdom […]
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Why Has Your DIY Trade Mark Application Got Stuck?
You had a trade mark to register for your business. After doing a Google search, you decided the application processes looked pretty straightforward. Therefore, due to all your other start-up costs, you chose to go down the DIY route. Encouraged by all the advice you read online you didn’t worry about reading up on all […]
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What Is A Series of Trade Marks?
You already know how important it is to protect your brand by registering your trade mark, but do you know how a series of trade marks works? When developing your brand, it’s entirely possible that you’ll play with different colourways, character cases, and include descriptions of the product. Under specific circumstances, you could get trade […]
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How McDonald’s Lost Out In The Battle Of The Burgers
Trade mark revocation is something we’ve covered in detail in the past. However, a recent high profile case makes it worthwhile revisiting this topic area. There is a burger war happening. The Ireland-based fast-food chain, Supermac’s, filed a trade mark revocation against McDonald’s Big Mac with the EUIPO. It states that the mark had not […]
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Does Your Trade Mark Pass The ACID Test?
You already know the importance of registering your trade mark, but what about way you use it? Improper use can lead to the dilution of your brand – and you don’t want that happen. To help businesses ensure their trade marks remain strong and valid, there is an easy-to-remember guide tha will help you make […]
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What Is The UK Fast Track Opposition Procedure?
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) first introduced the UK Fast Track Opposition Procedure in 2013. Its inception was as direct result of the concerns that the cost and administrative burden of submitting an opposition to trade mark registration was leaving many SMEs open to brand dilution. This new “fast track” procedure is designed […]
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Choosing The Right Trade Mark Classes – Don’t Be A Trade Mark Troll
Picking the right trade mark class or classes for your product or service is critical. Get it wrong, and you will compromise the integrity of your most valuable asset. However, that doesn’t mean you should register it in umpteen classes ‘just to be on the safe side.’ Avoid becoming a Trade Mark Troll To ‘troll’ […]
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