Importance of/how to register a trade mark

 Business owners looking to take their business to the next level need to consider how they can protect their brand’s uniqueness in the long term. A quick and easy solution is to register for a trade mark. Read more about what you can register here.

Trade marks are essential to business brand building as they protect a business’ intellectual property (IP) including names, logos, symbols and other creative work. Once registered, your trade mark becomes a business asset and you can use, license or sell it to others as you please.

Is your business in need for a trade mark? Find out how to register for one below!

Determine what you want to register for

Before heading over to the paperwork side of things, first determine exactly what you want to register as a trade mark (e.g. your business’ products and services). You will also need to consider what type of trade mark you are looking to register (e.g. name, sound or scent) and whether your trade mark is available. On rare occasions, another business may have already trade marked the same thing. You can conduct a trade mark search to ensure this is not the case before applying.

Consider the costs

Trade marks vary in price according to their trade mark class during the application process. In Australia, the minimum cost for a trade mark is $250 per class. Headstart applications start at $200 per class. Classes are grouped by product and service types and depending on such groupings, prices for each class vary. For example, clothing and footwear are grouped in one class whereas logos are grouped in another. For the specific prices on different classes, visit IPAustralia’s resource page here. Keep in mind that applying for several trade marks at once will compound the costs. There are also trade mark renewal fees to consider later down the track.

Applying with IP Australia

Submit your trade mark application with IP Australia, either in-person or through its online services. Business owners can take advantage of the pre-application Headstart service, which will provide them with an assessment of their application before it is formally submitted through IP Australia’s online services. The entire application process may take up to seven months (as IP Australia processes the technicalities) before a certificate of registration is awarded.

Overall, the trade mark registration process may be a long and tedious process but it is certainly worthwhile if you are looking to continue and progress your business brand in the long term. Trade mark lawyers can help you.