You need to determine whether another business is already using a trademark that's identical or similar to the one you want to use to ensure that you won't violate someone else's trademark rights. If you are sued by a trademark owner for using its trademark, at the least you can be forced to stop using … Continue reading Why do I need to conduct a trademark search?
Tag: Intellectual property explained
So, here you are, contemplating your fledgling business and feeling slightly overwhelmed by the enormity of it all... You get advice from everywhere - the interwebs, your friends, your bookkeeper, the taxi driver, your dog. Now, it is completely up to you what you do with most of that advice, but if someone mentioned 'brand … Continue reading Naming your new business baby – take special care!
From CIPC: Intellectual property (IP) enforcement When a right holder discovers that his intellectual property (IP) rights have been infringed, or are about to be infringed, the focus of his attention shifts. He may have previously concentrated on how to obtain and make use of his respective rights, but now his attention will concentrate … Continue reading Intellectual Property enforcement
Courtesy: NSBC e-Mag Here are a few easy to apply guidelines for your small or medium enterprise: Keep an eye on competitor movements when it comes to pricing and competitive advantages. Try and always keep your pricing market-related or trending. In a price-sensitive situation try and beat, or at least compete favourably, with your main competitors, … Continue reading Pricing strategy for your business
An image is not simply a trademark, a design, a slogan or an easily remembered picture. It is a studiously crafted personality profile of an individual, institution, corporation, product or service. Daniel J. Boorstin
Courtesy CIPC: Regulation 52 (1) provides that any person interested in opposing a trade mark may request the Registrar not to issue the registration certificate within a period of three months from the date of advertisement of the application in the Patent Journal. Should you wish to oppose a trade mark, kindly refer to the … Continue reading Oppositions
After registering your name, it is vital to upkeep the value of your company or product name. This involves using your trade name throughout your company on websites, brochures, and invoices. Don't forget to use the "®" symbol after you have approved registration from CIPC. If you haven't registered your trademark, you can use the … Continue reading Trademark maintenance
A confidential source has informed me that CIPC's filing fees (the revenue the government charges) for a trademark will increase from R560.00 to a maximum R1,500.00 per trademark. Apparently, small-and medium businesses (and I suppose individuals) will pay less per filing than major companies. It is not yet clear how this criteria of 'size' will … Continue reading CIPC set to significantly increase revenue duties on filing of trademarks
A brand is the identity of a specific product, service or company and may contain names, signs, symbols or slogans. Thebrand 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 brand owner as the … Continue reading About brand names
Many people confuse patents, copyrights and trademark. The three have some striking similarities and are all designed to protect intellectual property; however they are different and also serve different purposes. In simple terms, the three are all forms of protection for you and your business, from anyone who may steal, misuse or illegally benefit from your … Continue reading MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COPYRIGHT, PATENT AND A TRADEMARK
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