Trade Marks

Helping you protect & defend your brand

Registering a trade mark can form a strong barrier against theft or misuse of your intellectual property

A unique brand creates an unmistakable distinction that customers will recognise and appreciate when comparing similar products or businesses in a market. Registering a trade mark allows the owner to protect their brand and prevent competitors from using the same or a confusingly similar marks. Additionally a trade mark registration may be regarded as an asset of the business and will have an intrinsic value. Bridle IP can help with everything, from trade mark searches to trade mark registration, exploitation, and oppositions both in the UK and overseas.

Trade Mark Searches

Protecting your brand typically begins with trade mark searches to ensure that a mark may be registered and is free to use . We are able to carry out such searches and provide expert advice,.

Trade Mark Registration

You may protect your brand by registering your trade mark with our streamlined service. At Bridle IP, we facilitate the protection of your brand identity.

Third Party Trademark Issues

With our comprehensive trade mark services, we'll help you safeguard your brand against third party challenge by competitors, infringement and misuse.

Trademark Oppositions

Our experienced team will work with you to prepare and file an opposition to confusingly similar or identical trade mark applications filed by third parties.

What you get from Bridle IP

Our experienced trade mark attorneys can help you achieve your long-term business goals.

Specialist Team

With direct contact to someone who will know all the details of your case

Knowledgable

Our attorneys have significant experience of trade mark matters

Approachable

Friendly, yet professional team ready to help

"We are constantly developing ideas for new products and invariably at some stage this process involves seeking out protection such as patents, design copyright and investigation of existing patents. For such matters, we always seek professional advice from Bridle IP."

FAQ: Patents

A trade mark is something which identifies goods or services as originating from a particular source. People typically associate certain characteristics with the goods or services from that For example, soft drinks bearing a particular mark have a specific taste and cars bearing a particular mark have certain qualities associated with them.

No, a trade mark can be used for goods or services without being registered. However, without a registration for the mark, you may not be able to stop a competitor using the same or a similar mark for their goods or services.

Anything that can be represented graphically can potentially be This includes words, logos, pictures and even musical scores for sounds which are associated with a particular brand.

In order for a mark to be registered, it must be distinctive. This means that it must be memorable in some way.

However, there is a list of exclusions which would prevent a mark from being These include the following:

  • The mark must not be This means that SAVE FUEL for a fuel saving device would not be allowed.
  • The mark must not be This means that PLATINUM for silver jewellery would not be allowed.
  • The mark must not be a common surname or a place name. This means that SMITH or CANTERBURY would not be allowed.
  • The mark must not be a national flag or other protected symbol, such as a red cross or the Olympic rings.
  • The mark must not be confusingly similar to an existing registered mark.

We would be happy to advise you if there is any doubt about whether or not a mark may be registered.

 

No, however it is advisable to do so. Once a mark has been registered, the owner of the mark is then entitled to use the ® symbol. Even if a mark has not been registered, marks which are being used as trade marks can be identified as such by use of the suffix “TM”.

It is important to note that trade marks are territorial. This means that they only provide protection in the country in which they are registered. In other words, a UK trade mark will only prevent use of the mark in the UK. However, you would be able to prevent use of the mark on goods imported into the UK.

As the owner of a patent, you can prevent manufacture and sale of a product, or use of a process, in the patent territory. You can also prevent importation into that country. However, the rights conferred by a patent do not extend beyond the country that has granted the patent.

An application must be made to the relevant Intellectual Property Office. You can make the application yourself or you can appoint a Trade Mark Attorney to act on your behalf. Trade Mark Attorneys are professionally qualified people who are experienced in applying for trade mark registrations on behalf of clients and dealing with the subsequent procedures.

A trade mark registration can last indefinitely, provided that periodic renewal fees are paid. 

Got more questions?

For more help contact our team of experts who can assist you with your IP needs.