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Are you fully aware of what Intellectual Property rights mean? Can you register your trademark in the US, even if you're not from the US?

If you are using the words trademark, patent, and copyright, then you are referring to intellectual property. From creating your business logo to coming up with a domain name, startup businesses should be knowledgeable in intellectual property rights or risk infringement.

It is a common error for many to interchange the use of trademark and copyright.

Allow us to set the record straight.

Can you bring to mind the image of a brand from your memory even if you’re not a paying customer? Interestingly enough, consumers tend to remember certain famous logos, even if they have no connection with that brand. Do you have any idea why this might happen? And why are other less well-known brands not recognized by consumers?

Each of us has, at least once in our lives, consumed a retailer brand product, otherwise called a white label brand. But what exactly is a white label brand and how is it different from a market-leading brand? 

Interestingly, retailer brands originated in Germany during the Second World War. These were times of crisis and that was precisely what triggered consumers to buy cheaper products from brands that were unknown. Over time, this spread to other countries, for example in Spain it was not until the late 70s when the Simago supermarkets began to market these brands.

Many entrepreneurs and professionals detect, from time to time, solutions and new ideas to certain problems suffered by a number of the population. To make life easier for their potential customers, these companies decide to integrate these solutions into their businesses. 

Christmas is just around the corner! Everything red and green and sparkly and shiny is starting to run out in all the stores. This is by far the biggest and most important consumer holiday of the year.

Christmas can sometimes make or break a company. One of the most important aspects that you cannot fall short on when starting a company, is a secure and exclusive trademark.

It is very common to hear most people using the term “logo” to refer to the graphic and visual element that represents a brand. But in reality, this is not entirely correct. Not everything we see as a brand image is the same. Do you know what a logo is and how it is actually identified?

There are different visual elements that represent a brand, so each new branding project should be well planned before starting on the design. Keep in mind that the public will identify your brand through this visual element.

So far this year over 200,000 trademark applications have been submitted to be reviewed. 

Many business owners register a trademark to protect their brands. But if you've never applied for a trademark before, you may want to check the process. The trademark process is very intricate. 

A Guide To Apply for a Trademark

To help you out, we've created a step by step guide to apply for a trademark. 

Most companies hire brand design services from a freelance or a design and advertising agency when they need to improve their image and create a solid corporate identity to connect with their audience and improve their online reputation. 

So far so good. But what happens with those creations? Do you know exactly who owns the rights to them, the client or the designer? 

In business, as in life, your name is all you've got. Okay, that might be a little dramatic, but it's not entirely untrue. Your name, symbol, and logo are central to who your business is. Your name, more than anything. It's up to you to protect it.

On that note, have you ever wondered how to trademark a name? For such an important step in your business plan, you really should be prepared.

Let's take a closer look at registering to protect your precious name, shall we?

Registering your trademark in China is the first step to protecting it. Although it is not an obligation, not doing so will more often than not prove to be a catastrophic error. Whether you sell or manufacture your products in China, not registering your trademark will leave you without protection and open to becoming the next victim of trademark squatting in China.

I have my product’s trademark registered in China, is there anything else I should do to protect my business? Yes.