In a world where brands are becoming more global, it’s more important than ever to protect your brand. In today’s competitive marketplace, companies are looking for any advantage they can get. One way to stand out from competitors is by registering your trademark with the international government.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows about or understands the process of trademark registration many brands find themselves unaware of their international brand scope, and this exposes them to risk. If you don’t take action and protect your brand, other companies may start using it without your permission.
How to Register a Trademark
The first step to registering your trademark internationally is to search the Trademark Clearinghouse, a database of registered trademarks managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization if you find that someone has already registered your trademark, you can object to it.
If you don’t find anyone who has already registered your trademark, you can then register it yourself after registering, you will have the option of filing for trademark enforcement in other countries.
If a brand or business wants to keep its products, services, and name consistent across borders, it should register its international trademark with WIPO the process is straightforward and relatively inexpensive compared with other forms of protection.
How Long Does Trademark Registration Process?
The process can take anywhere from three to six months so, if you’re thinking about registering your trademark internationally, it’s best to get started as soon as possible.
You won’t be able to register your international trademarks if you have pending trademarks in your home country.
You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t already have a registered trademark in the country you’re trying to register with if either of these is the case, then you’ll need to first complete the process in your home country before registering internationally.
As soon as you decide on a company name or slogan for your brand, it’s important that you take steps to protect it with trademark registration it’s no longer enough just to establish a website and build your business online.
To stand out from competitors and create an authoritative online presence, international trademark registration is necessary.
Types of Trademarks
A trademark is a word, symbol, or phrase that identifies the goods or services of one party from those made by another there are three types of trademarks:
– Trademark law protects marks that are used in connection with the sale of goods and or services.
– Servicemark law protects marks used to identify and distinguish the services of one party from those of others.
– A trade dress mark is a type of trademark used on packaging to identify and distinguish the source of the product sold in commerce.
Tips for Registering Your Trademark
1. Know the Countries You’re in:
It’s important to check the trademark requirements for each country before you register with them this is because some countries don’t allow non-residents to register trademarks there.
2. Know the Requirements:
Every country has different requirements, but they generally involve filling out paperwork and paying a registration fee. Before you start this process, research which countries are on your list and what you need to do to qualify for registering.
3. Be Aware of Local Laws:
You should also be aware of any local laws about trademarks that exist where you want to register your trademark these types of rules differ from country to country, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before investing in international trademark registration.
