Trademarks...are they worth it?

[Joanna]

Hi there,

My names Joanna and run a garment printing business which focuses mostly in band merch.

This is my first post...so just wanted to say hello and find out if I can get a bit of insight into trademarking.

I was thinking about trademarking my business name and tag line. I've never copywritten/trademarked anything before and after looking into it I've descovered that it costs at least £200 per trademark every 10 years. I was wondering if anyone out there had had any experience trademarking their business's name and if so was it worth the money?

Any insight would be great!
Joanna

[pitkin2020]

For a small general business its more about status from the owners point of view than protection. How big do you want to grow the business? If you intend to trade in your own local trade then again its just an expense probably not justified but if you intend to go national/global then it will help you against others trying to rip your business name / tag line.
Do you genuinely believe your business name/tag line is unique, have you done the relevant research to ensure its unique? If you know its truly unique and is likely to be copied a lot then it maybe worth it. If you have called yourself for example Joannas stuff, we sell stuff (bad example lol) the I would say your pretty safe lol.

[GoldRapt]

Hi Joanna and welcome to the site.
I understand that registering a trademark is a costly business, but if you are going to get to a point where others are copying your brand or designs etc then that cost would be worth it.
Reading things like this
http://www.fhs.co.uk/practiceAreas_tradeMarks.asp?gclid=CKO9tKDt36oCFW0 JtAodQ3zN7Q
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1073791336&type=RESOURCES
http://trademarkit.co.uk/trademarkcosts.aspx
Are a good start.


Good Luck with it.

[John G]

I think you need to work out why your company name may be copied - as in, if your printing T'shirts/posters/badges etc why would anybody want to copy your company name.

People may want to copy your designs but trademarking your name won't be any use there - or am I barking uo the wrong tree! :redface:

[SilentAlf]

If i am designing a cartoon character do i need to register it as copyright? or does it have to come under trademark?

[smo]

There is no point in registering a trademark unless you have the money to defend it should someone infringe your protection. Just because its trademarked doesnt mean people wont infringe it, and it doesnt automatically mean someone jumps to your aid and makes them stop - you still have to do this and fight the battle which can be expensive and time consuming.

With regards to a cartoon character or similar copyright is the way to go, unless you are big like tom and jerry which are trademarked.

[ASLCreative]

The creator of button moon successfully won legal action against Bridlington-based Kapow Gifts for using images similar to the button moon characters, using breach of copyright law - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-22573733

At the end of the day, you need the time and money to mount a legal challenge against anybody copying your work.

[pisquee]

And joining a group like ACID will help, as they already have links with IP lawyers, and can help you in both the protection of your work initially, and in any legal battles which are needed in the future.