To help ensure the protection of your brand or company’s important assets, trademark proves more than handy. So, how can you go about trademarking your IPRs?
In a time when the world seems to be going around a spiral, the hassle of businesses has increased immensely. Fighting pandemics and competitions aside, many companies are tied up head-to-toes with a legal dispute. In the modern and fierce nature of businesses, it is a common thing for companies to clash over intellectual properties. However, governments and courts of laws around the globe help prevent those clashes and troubles by putting certain trademark laws into place.
So, we are going to look at some of the most important aspects of trademarking today. Not only will we understand the legal procedure, benefits and things you should not do, but also the steps you can take to ensure your trademark authority. So, without further ado, let us begin.
Understand The Legal Procedure
In the beginning, you need to understand the intricacies of the legal procedure. As many have the notion that all you need to do is acquire an attorney then you are free from all else that follows, because that is not the case. You also need to avoid filing a lawsuit in case of a dispute, if the problem can be solved without involving the court. Then, you also need to provide legal proof of intellectual rights in case of a dispute or lawsuit.
After that, understand that only unique and exceptional intellectual properties are subject for trademarking. Because trademarking your own name or something common is not a good idea as it can create unattainable or solvable disputes.
What Not To Do
Before we talk about what to do, let us talk about things not to do. This one should go without saying, but you should never try to attain the rights to an existing intellectual property. Because then the dispute and court dates are going to cause you a lot of trouble. Moreover, it can jeopardize your claims to future IPRS. However, if you do have a trademark registered, then there is no reason to not use it. That is something you should be flaunting in the world of business and not using it is only going to urge your competition to claim it as their own. So, make sure you have the right strategy to use once you have trademarked your IPRS.
Top Benefit Of Trademarking
Before we begin, let us expound on why it is important to trademark your intellectual assets. So, for a product or service-based company, it helps establish trust and builds customer loyalty. Moreover, acquired rights to IPRs ensures swift and hassle-free distribution of your intellectual assets, without the fear of infringement or legal disputes.
How To Do It
Now that we understand a few important things, then let us talk about things to do.
1. Study Your Competitors
Before you even think about filing the legal documents, make sure you understand your competitors. If any of them have the slightest edge over you in case of a dispute, your trademarking process can be thrown into peril.
2. Then Search Existing Trademarks
Finding out whether or not a name or IPRs are taken is extremely important. So, once you understand the nature of your competition, go through databases to make sure your desired rights are not taken. If they are, then you should move on to the next step.
3. Focus On Choosing Unique Names or IPRs
In case of a name or IPR already being taken, make sure you come up with something unique. This occurs mostly in cases of names. So, make sure you choose something unique and outstanding.
4. Use Online Platforms
While the thought of trademarking might make you imagine court dates, appearances et cetera, that is not always the case. If you are a sole and indisputable owner of intellectual assets, then it can be as simple as going online and registering for your trademark. The USPTO provides adequate means for you to register your trademark online, without having to go through a lot of trouble.
5. Or Hire An Attorney
In case you think that even that could be a troublesome venture, or you just don’t want to risk it, then just hire an attorney. One of the experts at the Trademark Public Advisory Committee suggests that hiring an attorney, and a good one at that, can help save you from a myriad of troubles. Such as the ones we have discussed so far.
6. Then Manoeuvre Your Trademarking Strategy Hence
Now, you should have your trademark registered or in the process of acquiring the rights by the time you reach this step. So, what should you do? You need to strategize your approach from here on. Including facing any legal disputes, timely renewals et cetera.
7. Systematic Practice Of Your Trademark
Once you have the trademarks registered, you need to make that common knowledge. How can you do that? By practising it thoroughly. Make sure your target audience or consumers know that it is your intellectual property and you own the rights to use them.
8. Usage Of Trademark On The Internet & Social Media
In the age of the internet, nothing is better than using social media and online platforms to ensure something as common knowledge. Make sure you employ your trademarks on your website, social media networks, blogs, YouTube videos et cetera.
9. Preserve Your Trademarks
As time passes, so do the legal rights you have on your intellectual properties. Bear in mind that most courts around the globe only grant you this privilege for 10 years. So, make sure you preserve your trademarks and renew them every time.
10. Claiming Your Trademarks Internationally
Once your business is established and renowned, the doors of claiming international trademarks opens up for you. So, what you need to do is apply for your IPRs in international courts that are recognized by most countries. It can help you establish your business on a global scale.