Overview
A name, logo or creative work is often among a business’s most valuable assets. We help clients choose, register, use and protect their intellectual property, and act when someone else misuses it.
Services
- Trademark search and availability advice
- Application filing and prosecution
- Replies to examination reports
- Opposition and rectification proceedings
- Cease-and-desist notices
- Infringement and passing off actions
- Licensing, assignment and IP agreements
- Copyright and design advice
Matters We Handle
- Brand names and logos
- Registry objections and oppositions
- Passing off and counterfeit goods
- Domain name disputes
- Copyright in creative and software works
- Licensing of brands and content
Our Approach
We check availability before you invest in a brand, file with care so that the application is well placed, and monitor the process through to registration. Where there is a dispute, we assess the strength of the claim before recommending notice or litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trademark registration compulsory?
No, but registration gives statutory rights and makes enforcement easier. Unregistered marks can still be protected through passing off, subject to proof of reputation.
How long does a trademark registration last?
A registered trademark is valid for ten years and can be renewed for further periods.
Can I use the ® symbol after filing an application?
No. The ® symbol is meant for registered marks. While an application is pending, the ™ symbol may be used.
These answers are general information, not legal advice. Laws, statutory periods and procedures should be checked by an advocate before publication and applied to the facts of each matter.