.cn Domain Name registry – spam or not?
Don’t be caught. If you’ve received an email from someone telling you that someone else wants to register your trade mark as a .cn domain, chances are they’ve obtained your trade mark registration details from the public register and are trying to scare you into registering a domain name you can obtain yourself or one that you may not even need or want!
TMP – bogus letter
If you have received an “official looking” trade mark letter requesting $1450 to publish your trade mark and it’s not from your trade mark attorney then ignore it – it’s probably a bogus letter. A few operators originating from Europe have set up an operation to extort trade mark fees from unsuspecting trade mark registrants. What ever you do, don’t fall for this trick – lots have!
Plan and gather your Evidence of Use
If your trademark is descriptive, you should consider collating Evidence of Use in a folder. It’s much easier to collate this folder as you’re going along, rather than try and do it over a number of hours. It’s amazing how much Evidence you could gather and may even forget to include through the years.
When choosing a brand name
This article is about what to consider when your chosing a new name or thinking of re-branding, perhaps because your name is too descriptive. If your name is too descriptive you’ll have to overcome the Trade Marks Office’s objection and supply enough Evidence of Use and convince them your trade mark is registrable.
Caught out on(line) Facebook
Are you part of the social networking revolution, use Facebook and Twitter? They can be a great resource for keeping in touch and networking but just be smart about what you post and who can see it. Big brother may be watching over you at your peril!
Financial Assistance – overseas IP filings
The Commonwealth Government’s Export Market Development Grant is an important scheme for Australian businesses who are looking to export their products and services. Under the scheme, a wide range of expenditure is subsidised, including intellectual property expenses.
EU TM Official Fee Reduction
More good news for clients wanting to apply for trademarks and designs in the European Union: a massive reduction in official fees.
Community Trademarks (CTM)
There are two main options for securing trademark protection in Europe, each with its own advantages and disadvantages: (a) Country-by-country registrations, or (b) the “Community Trade Mark” (CTM). This article explains the main differences.
Why Search?
At the start of a new business venture or before the launch of a new product or brand, business owners sometimes question the need for a trademark search. Well, there are a few good reasons not to skip that step, and we summarise them in this post.
Know Your Objective
Before conducting any trademark search, it’s important to know the reason for your search. It’s only then that you’ll be able to work out whether the particular searches that you’re planning to do will be adequate for your needs. This post identifies the two main reasons for searching, and what your search must include to be adequate for your needs.