Hallmark Applications and Registrations
Trademark applications (and registrations) provide you with resources to protect your business and investment; in fact they will become your most dear business asset. There is a common misconception that registering a company, purchasing the domain names and registering for tax purposes provides you along with legal rights to protect your brand. This is simply not the case; only an authorized trademark can provide you with the legal backing to secure your venture and its future methods.
Questions often arise to whether to register a trademark. The simple answer is that it is imperative, providing the only form of protection that provides exclusive legal rights unit the company trademark for that specific goods and services, both in the offline and online environments; affording the business the chance to stop others from with the golf irons brand and potentially damaging the reputation of the business.
In respect to a trademark application, numerous aspects surrounding the brand and image of the company can be protected. Like logos, phrases, taglines, colours, fonts and images. Furthermore, trademarks are registered for particular goods and suppliers. The inclusion of a written description within the business’ offerings provides the legal specifics of a security program. It is important that the range of products and/or services that corporation produces is correctly classified into one of the 45 separate categories readily.
It is important to highlight that trademark applications are country specific. For instance, this means that when you’ve got a trademarked business in New Zealand that happens to be trading, or is proposing to trade, in Australia you should protect the company and business conception in australia too. Having rights into the brand, logo and product offerings in New Zealand does not mean that there are the same rights in Australia; a separate trademark application must be entered.
The process of a trademark application in both mentioned countries is very similar; however, there are longer confirmation times when applying for an Australian based trademark. The Trademark Objection Reply Filing online application process in both countries are registered on a ‘first to file’ basis, which means that if another business or individual files a trademark application prior to your own, then they may gain the legal rights make use of the trademark. Once computer software is received, the trademarks office examined the application, searching for any potential issues in the application itself. It is then advertised for what is termed an ‘opposition period’, which enables other to lodge a complaint or objection re the instrument. However, objections are rare and the associated with trademark applications progress straight through to registration. Your trademark registration is approved, the business will receive certification and approval in order to the exclusive user for this specified trademark for the plethora of goods and services inked under the application.
