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The importance of a brand

In the world of business, a trade mark is arguably the most important asset so it makes sense to try and protect it. It can grow in value the more you use it and the more it becomes well known e.g. Coca-Cola, BMW and McDonalds. It has been reported that the President of Coca-Cola said that if all of Coca-Cola's buildings, vehicles, factories and equipment were destroyed Coca-Cola Inc would emerge from the ruins and rebuild itself provided that the trade mark survived. However the loss of the Coca-Cola mark would damage the company beyond repair. This is just one example of the importance of registering a trade mark and the potential value that a brand can bring to your business.

Save TIME, Save MONEY and AVOID LEGAL HASSLE

Benefits:

• Have your brand officially listed as a registered trade mark
• Helps to build recognition for your company and brand in the market place (Potentially, your trade mark could become very valuable)
• The ability to take to court, people infringing your trade mark
• Long term registration of your brand giving official recognition
• The right to use the ® symbol with your trade mark, showing its registration and protection
• Peace of mind that your trade mark has been registered and is legally protected
• It will appear in search results as a registered trade mark in countries that the mark is registered in, deterring others from using your brand
• Deter infringing activities from competitors

Advantages of registering a trade mark:

• Registration acts as proof of ownership and entitlement to the trade mark
• Unlike patents and designs, trade marks remain registered as long as the renewal fees are paid every 10 years
• Registration can be obtained up to 5 years before the brand is to be used as long as there is genuine "intention to use" the trade mark
• Registered brands can add value, be transferred, or the rights to use the mark can be licensed for financial gain
• Registration grants a statutory monopoly on the mark
• Registration gives "security of mind" to the owners of the registered mark