Before you apply for a trade mark, there are a number of issues you need to consider. Making the wrong choices with your application can be costly, as mistakes by applicants are usually not refundable.
A common mistake is confusing the different types of intellectual property protection, for example, confusing trade marks and design rights. Some also believe that a trade mark can only be a logo. That's not right. A trade mark is a sign that can include words, phrases, movement, sound, images, even smells or a combination of these elements.
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To help you learn about common mistakes and some useful questions to ask yourself, we’re developing Trade Mark Assist. Try out the beta version and tell us what you think. |
Make sure you have familiarised yourself with exactly what comprises a trade mark by reading trade mark basics.
Before you begin to assemble your application, some questions you may want to consider include:
- am I trying to register a common or prohibited sign, word or phrase and not know it?
- under what class of goods and services do I intend to register my trade mark?
- have I conducted thorough searches of all the databases to make sure I am not copying another individual’s trade mark?
- am I comfortable with the fact that details of my application will be published if accepted?
- is my trade mark distinctive enough to distinguish my goods and/or services?
- am I eligible to own a trade mark?