Business Advice: Trademarks

Business Advice: Trademarks

In the cardboard packaging business, we meet many customers who are looking for the ideal way to present, store and transport their product ranges. Some of the customers are from established companies, whilst others are just starting up their own business.

If you have developed a fantastic new product which is at the point of being ready for packaging and marketing, you might also be addressing the need for a company name and logo. Also referred to as your brand, this is a badge of origin that helps to identify your goods and services as distinct from the competition.

If you register your new company with Companies House, you may believe that this brand is protected, that others can’t oppose it, or use it for their own company. Having spoken with specialists Saunders and Dolleymore in Watford, we can assure you that this isn’t sufficient protection.

Trademark Registration

In order to prevent the issues that can occur if you and another company have a very similar brand, Saunders and Dolleymore have confirmed that it is necessary to apply to the UK Intellectual Property Office to register your brand as a trademark.

Each trademark will fit into one of the 34 goods or 11 service classes. On application, checks will be made to see if your company name and or logo could cause confusion in the market place. There is also the opportunity for other companies to oppose your brand. If the application is accepted, then you will receive a certificate and can use the registered Trademark symbol – .

Whilst it costs several hundred pounds to register your trademark, the process could save you considerable costs and disruption in the future.

If you would like further advice and support with a trademark application, you can contact Vicki Bennett at Saunders and Dolleymore: 01923 238311, or visit their website.