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In the digital era, registering trademarks is of paramount importance, especially for small businesses and new entrepreneurs, as they play a crucial role in protecting a company\u2019s brand and intellectual property.<\/b><\/p>\n
Registering trademarks is a strategic step for small enterprises and startups to safeguard their brand identity, increase brand recognition, build consumer trust, gain a competitive advantage, and establish a strong legal foundation for business growth, aspects which are challenging in today\u2019s digital world, given that almost everyone and everything is online.<\/p>\n
It is a proactive step towards building a resilient and legally protected business identity.<\/p>\n
Having successfully handled a major legal battle against tech giant Apple Inc. which had tried to block Cyprus-based gaming startup Apella Games from registering its name and logo with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), claiming they were visually, phonetically, and conceptually similar to that of Apple\u2019s, I suggest registering early is of paramount importance for several reasons.<\/p>\n
By failing to register their trademark, businesses risk investing time and resources in building a brand that may need to be changed if someone else claims prior rights to a similar mark. Therefore, registering a trademark as early as possible is the most prudent and cost-efficient way to avoid rebranding costs further down the line. In other words, it is simply more expensive to be unprotected.<\/p>\n
Additionally, registering a trademark early gives a business a jump-start in securing its online market position. Securing a trademark helps protects brands from infringement in the vast and competitive digital marketplace, reducing the risk of copycat products or services.<\/p>\n
This also applies to influencers who promote goods and services through various social media platforms.<\/p>\n
A trademark can also be a significant asset for a business, contributing towards raising its overall value.<\/p>\n
Registered trademarks are a clever way to monetize a brand; a business can choose to sell the trademark, or lease it, or license it to ensure a steady increase in revenue. A good example is Finnish company Rovio Entertainment, the developer of Angry Birds, which licenses the brand and the related characters to product manufacturers and content producers. In 2022, brand licencing business unit accounted for approximately 3% of group revenue.<\/p>\n
Also, if the business expands, the trademark can appreciate in value and become an important part of the company’s intellectual property asset portfolio.<\/p>\n
Online Presence and Digital Branding<\/b><\/p>\n
Registering a trademark is crucial for navigating the digital market with distinctiveness, fostering innovation, and contributing to digital diversity.<\/p>\n
Also, given that the digital age is highly dependent on the algorithms of search engines, the presence of a trademark in digital content improves search engine optimisation (SEO), acting as a keyword for online visibility.<\/p>\n
Social media platforms benefit from a registered trademark, providing a solid foundation to secure a brand’s name and logo, preventing confusion or dilution.<\/p>\n
Registering a trademark boosts and secures brand identity, establishing a unique and memorable presence. It differentiates products and services, increasing market differentiation and making goods or services more memorable.<\/p>\n
Given the limited attention span of the digital age, a lasting and memorable trademark is crucial for creating a permanent impression.<\/p>\n
Registering a trademark should be a priority from the onset, especially in the digital world, as it can act as a visual ambassador for businesses large and small, as well as entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
In a highly saturated digital market, it\u2019s important to stand out and securing a trademark affords a brand autonomy. A trademark can also sustain a small business in its early days and provide protection for its brand in the fierce digital world.<\/p>\n
Registering a trademark<\/b><\/p>\n
There are three avenues one can take for registering a trademark (\u201cTM\u201d):<\/p>\n
Small businesses and new entrepreneurs interested in registering a TM should consult qualified advisors who can guide them according to their market needs and the particular product or service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n