Trademark & Copyright Symbols


The small symbols that accompany logos, text, images and other material can be confusing to some people who are not familiar with what they mean or stand for. These symbols have different meanings and are used for different purposes. The copyright symbol is known as a small c which is circled. It is used in … Continue reading Trademark & Copyright Symbols

Trademark Infringement – what to do?


Starting up a small business in South Africa can be a costly exercise and there are always additional costs that creep in that one is not always aware of when starting a new company. Apart from the necessary assets one needs to acquire when starting a business, the second most important aspect of your new … Continue reading Trademark Infringement – what to do?

Building Brands


Naturally, some brands are more well-known than others. One may question what factors make one brand stand out from the crowd and be more popular than others. There are a number of factors that play an integral part in brand awareness, however without an excellent campaign and unique brand concept coupled with effective strategies for … Continue reading Building Brands

Is there a difference between ‘brand’ and ‘trademark’?


A brand is the identity of a specific product, service or company and may contain names, signs, symbols or slogans. The brand name is quite often used interchangeably within "brand", although it is more correctly used to refer to written or spoken elements of a product, service or company. If the brand name identifies the … Continue reading Is there a difference between ‘brand’ and ‘trademark’?

Should I register my trademark locally, internationally or both?


It is very wise to register your trademark in the countries where your business is located or where you plan to conduct business. South African trademark registration only covers the Republic of South Africa. Remember, a South African trademark will not provide protection in any of South Africa’s neighbouring states, or any other country, and … Continue reading Should I register my trademark locally, internationally or both?

From the archives: What “things” can we trademark?


When trying to come up with your new brand name or trademark, you will probably start hitting your head against the proverbial wall. It’s not that easy to come up with a catchy, original name and just when you think you’ve nailed it, you find out someone else is using it already. You need not … Continue reading From the archives: What “things” can we trademark?