International trademark registration appeals more and more to businesses that are doing work around the globe. And with the rise of e-commerce and the digital marketplace, it is difficult to find a business that doesn't need protection.
If you are considering international registration for your trademark, we can help.
7 Thing about International Trademark Registration
There are 7 things you need to know about trademark registration internationally. Let's find out what they are together:
1. International Trademark Registration Is a Necessity
With the globalization of the marketplace, there has never been a time when registering your trademark internationally was more important. Without protection, you are risking a company in another country using your branding to promote their goods and services.
And in the era of the digital marketplace, there has never been as many opportunities to promote your goods and services around the world. However, there are costs associated with the protection.
2. The Costs Differ in Each Country
The most important thing to know about trademarks is that they must be registered locally in each country. Although there are similarities, each country is governed by different regulations and laws surrounding trademarks, and has different fees. The costs in the UK are different from the costs in Japan, for instance.
It can be difficult to juggle the costs and processes without expert help. But it's important to consider what it would cost to lose your trademark and all your branding efforts.
3. There Are Ways to Make It Easier
If you have expert help there are ways to make registering your international trademark easier. Instead of having to communicate with a local attorney in each country, you can centralize all your processes, which will allow you to go through one sole communication canal. You might also not have to register in each individual country you plan to do business in, and the help of a specialist will allow you to prioritize the countries in which to register.
Another way to smooth the process might be through the Madrid System. This system for multinational trademark applications facilitates the process of trademark registration in a large number of countries.
Governed by the Madrid Protocol, a treaty signed by 98 members to date, the system allows a trademark holder to request the extension of a single trademark application or registration made in one member country to any number of other member countries.
4. You Need to Do Your Research
Unfortunately, many companies don't do their research first. You may be unaware that a company in a country on the other side of the globe – or even in their own country - is already using a similar trademark. Before filing a trademark application, it is recommended that you do some research on the chosen name, and order a Trademark Search to have an attorney check out the viability of your trademark registration – before you lose time and money filing for a trademark that someone else has already registered.
5. Beware Local Language and Customs
A picture, logo, or symbol can represent many different things in different cultures. Before you go to the trouble of registering your trademark internationally you will want to check with local language or customs experts.
Failing to do so could hurt your brand name in some locations.
6. There Are Different Types of Trademarks
A trademark isn't necessarily a simple name. They may come in different forms:
- Logos
- Slogans
- Business Names
- Sound marks
- Three-dimensional marks
- Combinations of those
According to the US Patent Office, "A trademark is generally a word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others."
Since there are many kinds, and many rules surrounding them, you need help registering your trademark.
7. You Need Expert Help
For any business looking to expand their trademark protection globally, it is important to have the best support. Unless you are experienced in international trademark law, the process can be confusing and costly.
You need to be able to do research, register properly, and not waste money on duplicate efforts. Having all your trademark processes centralized with a single agent can also help you reduce the risk of mishaps inherent to the management of a trademark portfolio, such as missing renewal deadlines or failing to keep the owner information updated with the trademarks office.
With all this, iGERENT can help.
We are a company that specializes in providing global intellectual property services. We provide cost effective solutions for our client's trademark, patent, copyright and domain name dispute related needs.
Don't wait. Contact us now to make the international registration of your trademark easy and efficient.
