IP Australia
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USPTO
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The Headstart Procedure for pre-filing assessment of your trademark
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","stylesMapId":"CK_EDITOR_PARAGRAPH_STYLES","linkList":["#link-issyo04w1","#textLink_iv800orq","#textLink_iv80n53n","#textLink_jc8xwmu2","#textLink_jc8xxepe","#textLink_jce8w1px","#textLink_jil5k3zn"]},"dataItem-issyo03j":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-issyo03j","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"A trade mark is effectively a badge of origin. To be more specific, the Trade Marks Act defines a trade mark as a "sign" used, or intended to be used, to distinguish goods or services dealt with or provided in the course of trade by a person from goods or services so dealt with or provided by any other person. A "sign" includes the following or any combination of the following, namely, any letter, word, name, signature, numeral, device, brand, heading, label, ticket, aspect of packaging, shape, colour, sound or scent.
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\nIt is important to bear in mind that a trade mark is something that can exist without registration. Such a trade mark is known as a common law trade mark and can be protected. However, there are significant benefits in obtaining registration of a trade mark, as is set out in the following section.
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\nDo not confuse a business name with a trade mark! Just because you have registered your business name "Bazza's Chicken" does NOT mean that I am prevented from opening a take-away called "Bazza's Chicken". The registration of a business name is an official trading requirement for the protection of the consumer. It is not for the benefit of the business owner and is of little use in stopping others from copying your brands and trading names. Furthermore, obtaining a business name is no guarantee that you will be free to use the name.
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The system of registering trade marks was devised in order to avoid the need to show reputation. As mentioned above, it is possible to protect a trade mark that has not been registered. In order to do so, it would be necessary to show that the trade mark had developed a substantial reputation. This can be difficult and expensive, particularly in court.
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\nThe fact that a trade mark is registered is sufficient basis to prevent unauthorised use of the trade mark. It follows that relying on a registered as opposed to an unregistered trade mark can save you significant legal costs when enforcing your right of ownership of the trade mark.
\n\nIt is difficult to register words and logos that are descriptive of the goods and services they are used to sell. This difficulty translates into increased costs and delays when attempting to obtain registration. As a rule of thumb, if other traders are likely, in the ordinary course of their businesses and without any improper motive, to desire to use the same trade mark, or some trade mark nearly resembling it, upon or in connection with their own goods or services, you will probably get an objection from the examiner on the basis that your trade mark is not inherently adapted to distinguish your goods and services.
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\nIt is important that if you claim to be the owner of the trade mark, you are actually using the trade mark."Use" in relation to goods means use of the trade mark upon, or in physical or other relation to, the goods. "Use" in relation to services means use of the trade mark in physical or other relation to the services. It is possible to have use of the trade mark by the owner if the owner exercises control over the use of the trade mark by some other party.
\n\nOnce you have selected a trade mark, you will need to decide how the trade mark is going to be applied. This will determine the number of classes in respect of which the trade mark application is to be filed. The number of classes will determine the official fees that you will need to pay when filing the trade mark application.
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\nAs soon as we have settled on the classes, it will be necessary to construct descriptions that are to accompany each class. Note that a registered trade mark does not extend to all the goods or services in a particular class, but rather to the description that accompanies each class. So it is important that this step be carried out carefully. It is not possible to add goods or services that are not broadly covered by the descriptions as filed, so it is better to go a little overboard, rather than skimp on the description.
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\nThat done, you can file the application. Once filed, it will take about 6 to 9 months to get an examination report. On the other hand, a Notice of Acceptance will issue if the examiner finds that there are no conflicts with existing trade marks on the register and that the trade mark is "distinctive".
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\nAcceptance of an application is advertised for 2 months once it has been accepted. During that time, any third party can oppose the registration of the trade mark. You will also have 6 months within which to pay the registration fee. It is better to pay the registration fee sooner rather than later. That's because a third party can still oppose registration after the 2 month period while the registration fee remains unpaid.
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\nThe registration certificate will issue within about a month after payment of the registration fee provided the 2 month opposition period has passed.
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\nTrade mark registrations have an unlimited life, provided renewal fees are paid every 10 years. Note, however, that they can become subject to removal from the register if they are not used.
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