{"id":178185,"date":"2022-11-08T16:25:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T16:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=178185"},"modified":"2022-11-08T19:46:07","modified_gmt":"2022-11-08T19:46:07","slug":"registering-generic-trade-mark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are a business in England seeking to register a trade mark, you will need to ensure you are not attempting to register something generic or commonplace. If you try to make an application this way, it will be unsuccessful,<\/span> and you will need to resubmit your application. In this article, we will provide tips to assist you in avoiding<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> registering a generic trade mark.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why Register Your Trade Mark?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your trade mark can take many forms including, but not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">words;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">slogans;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">colours;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sounds;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">logos; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">symbols.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trade marks can either exist as unregistered or registered trade marks. If they are unregistered, it means they have not been registered with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/intellectual-property-office\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Intellectual Property Office<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The main benefit of registration is the ease of protecting your trade mark. Registration makes it easier to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">prove ownership of the mark;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">prove exclusivity;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">enforce your intellectual property rights;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">deter competitors from using or copying your mark; and&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">protect against copycats.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Registering your trademark if you intend to use it in a meaningful way for your business is often advisable.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"my-7 lg:my-10 border-y-2 border-gray-100 py-7 lg:py-10 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start gap-10\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-52 mx-auto my-0! rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/16051654\/UK-Trade-Mark-Essentials-Screenshot-290x410-1.jpg\" alt=\"Front page of publication\"\n                 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"208\" height=\"298\">\n                <section>\n            <div class=\"text-2xl font-bold\">Trade Mark Essentials<\/div>\n            <div class=\"body-text\">\n                <p>LegalVision&#8217;s Trade Mark Essentials Guide provides valuable information for any business looking to register or enforce a trade mark. <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/go.legalvision.co.uk\/uk-trade-mark-essentials-guide.html\" class=\" block px-5 py-3.5 max-w-fit bg-orange button__hover transition rounded text-white font-bold text-lg no-underline uppercase leading-tight text-center\" target=\"\" rel=\"\">Download Now<\/a>        <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Create a Trade Mark That Fits the Criteria<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can be as creative as you like when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/select-a-good-trade-mark\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">designing or creating a trade mark<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. For example, when creating a logo, you should always try to design something unique. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are rules surrounding what can and cannot register as a trade mark, and you should be aware of these, especially concerning avoiding something generic. A trade mark must be unique and distinctive.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&nbsp;Examples of things to avoid include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">names;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">simplistic signs, including single letters or numbers;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">promotional slogans that are generic;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">logos or symbols that are commonplace in your area of trade;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">three-letter acronyms;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">purely descriptive wording; and&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">simple colour marks.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"not-prose\">0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n                <br>\n                Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you within one business day.\n                    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n<div class=\"not-prose flex justify-center text-left gform_input_bg_white    \">\n    <script>\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.\"),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"action\",o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"filter\",o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(\"action\",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(\"filter\",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(\"action\",o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(\"filter\",o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+\"_\"+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),\"filter\"==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});\n<\/script>\n\n                <div class='gf_browser_gecko gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework lawyer-form_wrapper gplaceholder_wrapper form-with-labels-no-asterisks_wrapper has-new-validation-error-styling_wrapper' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_2453' style='display:none'><div id='gf_2453' class='gform_anchor' tabindex='-1'><\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data' target='gform_ajax_frame_2453' id='gform_2453' class='lawyer-form gplaceholder form-with-labels-no-asterisks has-new-validation-error-styling' action='\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178185#gf_2453' data-formid='2453' novalidate>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_2453' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'><div id=\"field_2453_1000\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-honeypot gform_validation_container field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_1000'>Company<\/label><div class='ginput_container'><input name='input_1000' id='input_2453_1000' type='text' value='' autocomplete='new-password'\/><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_2453_1000'>This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.<\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gf_left_half gfield--width-half gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_1'>First Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_1' id='input_2453_1' type='text' value='' class='medium'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_12\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gf_right_half gfield--width-half gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_12'>Last Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_12' id='input_2453_12' type='text' value='' class='medium'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_2\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--input-type-email gf_left_half gfield--width-half gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_2'>Email Address<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>\n                            <input name='input_2' id='input_2453_2' type='email' value='' class='medium'    aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\n                        <\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_3\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-phone gfield--input-type-phone gf_right_half gfield--width-half gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_3'>Phone<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_phone'><input name='input_3' id='input_2453_3' type='tel' value='' class='medium'   aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_14\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-select gfield--input-type-select gfield--width-full custom-select gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_14'>Number of Employees in Your Business<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_select'><select name='input_14' id='input_2453_14' class='large gfield_select'    aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" ><option value='' selected='selected'>Select ...<\/option><option value='0' >0<\/option><option value='1' >1-5<\/option><option value='6' >6-20<\/option><option value='21' >21-50<\/option><option value='51' >51-250<\/option><option value='250' >250+<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_4\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_2453_4'>Tell us about your enquiry<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_4' id='input_2453_4' class='textarea medium'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_5\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--input-type-html gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  >By submitting this form, you agree to receive emails from LegalVision and can unsubscribe at any time. View our <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/privacy-notice\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. <\/div><div id=\"field_2453_8\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_8' id='input_2453_8' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='http:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178185' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_2453_13\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_13' id='input_2453_13' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='generic_form' \/><\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_2453_999\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-checkbox gfield--type-choice gfield__uk-marketo-opt-in field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label screen-reader-text' ><\/legend><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_checkbox'><div class='gfield_checkbox ' id='input_2453_999'><div class='gchoice gchoice_2453_999_1'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input class='gfield-choice-input' name='input_999.1' type='checkbox'  value='1'  id='choice_2453_999_1'   \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_2453_999_1' id='label_2453_999_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>By submitting this form, you agree to receive content and event invitations from us to help you grow your business. If you do not want to receive such messages, tick here.<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><\/div><\/div>\n        <div class='gform-footer gform_footer top_label'> <button type=\"submit\" id=\"gform_submit_button_2453\" class=\"gform_button button\" onclick=\"gform.submission.handleButtonClick(this);\" data-submission-type=\"submit\"><span class=\"gform_submit_button__text\">Submit Now<\/span><\/button> <input type='hidden' name='gform_ajax' value='form_id=2453&amp;title=&amp;description=&amp;tabindex=0&amp;theme=gravity-theme&amp;hash=ec2463697d0d9cef7b71236ae60964c7' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submission_method' data-js='gform_submission_method_2453' value='iframe' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_theme' data-js='gform_theme_2453' id='gform_theme_2453' value='gravity-theme' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_style_settings' data-js='gform_style_settings_2453' id='gform_style_settings_2453' value='' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='is_submit_2453' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submit' value='2453' \/>\n            \n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_currency' data-currency='GBP' value='t4Q9VaNcwt4MM2dlDYRaC7fDo1VJeOmRBz3\/l3kbd3tlX\/o16OGgcatIbwrFI1x7EK77wdWbrKGfgZwDhnAoEIqi2lfYDD7pvkAqnN47XzJ6YFI=' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_unique_id' value='' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='state_2453' value='WyJ7XCIxNFwiOltcIjIyODY0N2ViMWU3NTcxZjA4YTY4NGJmMDcwMTk3Y2I0XCIsXCJiMzk3YmQ1MDBmMmFjNjk1ODE4MzdmNTBhYTA2MzQ0OFwiLFwiNGYyNGZkZGEwMzlkNDUxMWFhZGE1NGYwZmQwZmNiZTdcIixcIjUyMmJkMDE2M2I2ZmEwOTI3NDZhZjU5YTg0ZmM1NDk5XCIsXCIzODRlNjk1YjQxMTAzMWFiYmQ2ODEyMGYyZWFhMDYyNlwiLFwiYjkzNDcwNTE2MjkxOGRjZWViMjQzNzRjNmE0NGVmNTlcIixcIjQxMTliODZhMzVjYzJiMWViNDZiMmQ4NjRlNGUzZmNjXCJdfSIsIjQ3MjNiMzA2ZDIyZGVkODA2N2YyMjYyOThkYzI1ODVmIl0=' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_target_page_number_2453' id='gform_target_page_number_2453' value='0' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_source_page_number_2453' id='gform_source_page_number_2453' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' name='gform_field_values' value='' \/>\n            \n        <\/div>\n                        <\/form>\n                        <\/div>\n\t\t                <iframe style='display:none;width:0px;height:0px;' src='about:blank' name='gform_ajax_frame_2453' id='gform_ajax_frame_2453' title='This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.'><\/iframe>\n\t\t                <script>\ngform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 2453, 'https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/legalv-v6\/img\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_2453').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_2453');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_2453').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){form_content.find('form').css('opacity', 0);jQuery('#gform_wrapper_2453').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_2453').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_2453').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { \/* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome *\/ jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gform_wrapper_2453').offset().top - mt); }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_2453').val();gformInitSpinner( 2453, 'https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/legalv-v6\/img\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [2453, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_2453'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery('#gform_wrapper_2453').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gf_2453').offset().top - mt);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [2453]);window['gf_submitting_2453'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_2453').text());}else{jQuery('#gform_2453').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(\"gform_pre_post_render\", [{ formId: \"2453\", currentPage: \"current_page\", abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]);        if (event && event.defaultPrevented) {                return;        }        const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_wrapper_2453\" );        if ( gformWrapperDiv ) {            const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( \"span\" );            visibilitySpan.id = \"gform_visibility_test_2453\";            gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( \"afterend\", visibilitySpan );        }        const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_visibility_test_2453\" );        let postRenderFired = false;        function triggerPostRender() {            if ( postRenderFired ) {                return;            }            postRenderFired = true;            gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 2453, current_page );            if ( visibilityTestDiv ) {                visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv );            }        }        function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) {            var timeout;            return function() {                var context = this, args = arguments;                var later = function() {                    timeout = null;                    if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args );                };                var callNow = immediate && !timeout;                clearTimeout( timeout );                timeout = setTimeout( later, wait );                if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args );            };        }        const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() {            triggerPostRender();        }, 200 );        if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) {            const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => {                mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => {                    if ( mutation.type === 'attributes' && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) {                        debouncedTriggerPostRender();                        observer.disconnect();                    }                });            });            observer.observe( document.body, {                attributes: true,                childList: false,                subtree: true,                attributeFilter: [ 'style', 'class' ],            });        } else {            triggerPostRender();        }    } );} );\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-next\"><!-- scroll anchor --><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Conduct a Search of all Online Databases<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once your mark is registered, it will be on an online database related to the Intellectual Property Office. It is possible to search for a trade mark online via this trade mark journal database to check whether a similar trade mark to yours already exists. You can search by using keywords, phrases or images, which is highly useful for ensuring your trade mark is not too generic. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You should seek to avoid attempting to register a similar mark as another business. While you may not see automatic rejection, any owners of similar trade marks will receive notification of your application and will be able to oppose it. Therefore, you can use the search of the database to amend your mark to distinguish it from anything similar.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Ensure your Trade Mark is Capable of Growth<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid something general or commonplace that not only fails to identify your business but is also not capable of growing as you expand it.. Avoid choosing descriptive words or slogans which are merely descriptive of your products. This is because it will limit your potential to use your mark in various other ways and will be limited to the product you have described. You need to choose a trade mark that can represent your business in a broad geographical way and able to represent your brand&#8217;s goods, services and products in a distinctive way that can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/choose-trade-mark-grow-business\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">grow with your business<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your trade mark is your branding tool to help your business and products become trusted and easily recognisable among consumers. Trade mark registration with the Intellectual Property Office lasts for 10 years. Therefore it is advisable to register a mark that has a longevity to represent your business for this amount of time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Choose all Potential Trade Mark Classifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/multiple-class-applications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trade mark classifications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are the trade areas you register your trade mark within. You can register your trade mark in as many classes as you wish, but you will need to pay additional fees for each class.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To avoid a generic mark, you should also pay attention to which classes you are registering your trade mark in to ensure you protect it in all trading areas you work in. If you fail to register in a class important to your business, your trade mark will be open to being copied by competitors, increasing its generic usage in your industry.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To successfully register a trade mark it must be unique and distinguishable. Therefore, it is important to avoid generic wording, symbols or any colours that are commonplace. You should search online databases that hold all registered trade marks. This will enable you to find similar trade marks, and you can then amend your draft mark to avoid any strong similarities with other businesses. You should also avoid choosing a trade mark that is not capable of growing with your brand, and over the 10-year registration period.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need help with trade mark registration, LegalVision\u2019s experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property-lawyers-lp\/\">intellectual property lawyers<\/a> can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"AVANSERnumber dynamic-number\">0808 196 8584<\/a> or visit our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/membership\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">membership page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently Asked Question<\/span>s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1667923865066\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How do I avoid creating a generic trade mark?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Trade marks can take many forms, including words, logos, symbols, colours and slogans. It should be unique; therefore, you should try to be as creative as possible.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1667923890799\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How Long Does Registration Last in England?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Upon successful registration with the Intellectual Property Office, your trade mark will be registered and protected for 10 years. You will have exclusivity over your mark within all areas of trade you have registered in.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n<div class=\"not-prose m-feedback-prompt\">\n    <!-- Thumbs up\/down bar -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__main\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__title\">Was this article helpful?<\/div>\n        <div>\n            <!--span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button--text\">Thanks!<\/span-->\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--yes\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:yes\" aria-label=\"Agree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-up fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--no\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:no\" aria-label=\"Disagree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-down fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Feedback form -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--thanks \">\n            <div>Thanks!<\/div>\n            <p>\n                We appreciate your feedback \u2013 your submission has been successfully received.            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form id=\"contact-form\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--form\" action=\"\" method=\"post\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"authenticity_token\" name=\"authenticity_token\" value=\"9eb4f72322\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178185\" \/>            <input value=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\"\n                   id=\"currenturl\">\n            <input value=\"Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenttitle\"\n                   id=\"currenttitle\">\n            <label>\n                <!-- display on thumbs-up -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--yes\">\n                    Can you tell us <span class=\"font-semibold\">why<\/span> you found it helpful?\n                <\/span>\n\n                <!-- display on thumbs-down -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--no text-lg\">\n                    How can we better improve this article?\n                <\/span>\n                <textarea name=\"feedbackmessage\" id=\"feedbackmessage\" required><\/textarea>\n            <\/label>\n\n            <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--error\" id=\"form-submit-error\"><\/div>\n            <button id=\"submit-contact-form-button\" type=\"submit\" name=\"commit\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--submit\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:submit\">\n                Submit            <\/button>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are a business in England seeking to register a trade mark, you will need to ensure you are not attempting to register something generic or commonplace. If you try to make an application this way, it will be unsuccessful, and you will need to resubmit your application. In this article, we will provide<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13353,"featured_media":3203,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1206,1087,175615,176996,4058,4472","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[20,186,200,1016],"class_list":["post-178185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-intellectual-property","tag-small-business","tag-intellectual-property","tag-intellectual-property-protections","tag-trade-mark-protection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Avoiding a Generic Trade Mark | LegalVision UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you are going to register a trade mark, it is important that you avoid registering a generic trade mark. We provide tips to avoid this.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Avoiding a Generic Trade Mark | LegalVision UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you are going to register a trade mark, it is important that you avoid registering a generic trade mark. We provide tips to avoid this.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"LegalVision UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LegalVision\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-11-08T16:25:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-11-08T19:46:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"902\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"601\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Fiona Prior\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@LegalVision_law\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@LegalVision_law\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Fiona Prior\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Fiona Prior\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/6b01dab4461b6cc0d93030ab7605f773\"},\"headline\":\"Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-11-08T16:25:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-11-08T19:46:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\"},\"wordCount\":924,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"small business\",\"intellectual property\",\"intellectual property protections\",\"trade mark protection\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Intellectual Property Articles\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\",\"name\":\"Avoiding a Generic Trade Mark | LegalVision UK\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-11-08T16:25:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-11-08T19:46:07+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/6b01dab4461b6cc0d93030ab7605f773\"},\"description\":\"If you are going to register a trade mark, it is important that you avoid registering a generic trade mark. We provide tips to avoid this.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923865066\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923890799\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg\",\"width\":902,\"height\":601,\"caption\":\"The Advantages and Disadvantages of Selling Shares in a Company\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Intellectual Property Articles\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/category\/intellectual-property\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/\",\"name\":\"LegalVision UK\",\"description\":\"LegalVision is a commercial law firm in the UK with a commitment to innovation\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/6b01dab4461b6cc0d93030ab7605f773\",\"name\":\"Fiona Prior\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/06\/cropped-cropped-cropped-LV-round-square-2-96x96.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/06\/cropped-cropped-cropped-LV-round-square-2-96x96.png\",\"caption\":\"Fiona Prior\"},\"description\":\"Fiona is a Legal Content Writer for LegalVision UK. She is a qualified barrister and lawyer with an interest in immigration and human rights. Fiona has written extensively for LegalVision on Intellectual Property. Qualifications: Bar Professional Training Course, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Masters Degree, LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice, Queen's University, Belfast, Bachelor's Degree, LLB Law, Queen Mary University of London\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/fiona-prior-30481162\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/author\/fionaprior\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923865066\",\"name\":\"How do I avoid creating a generic trade mark?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Trade marks can take many forms, including words, logos, symbols, colours and slogans. It should be unique; therefore, you should try to be as creative as possible.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923890799\",\"name\":\"How Long Does Registration Last in England?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Upon successful registration with the Intellectual Property Office, your trade mark will be registered and protected for 10 years. You will have exclusivity over your mark within all areas of trade you have registered in.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Avoiding a Generic Trade Mark | LegalVision UK","description":"If you are going to register a trade mark, it is important that you avoid registering a generic trade mark. We provide tips to avoid this.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Avoiding a Generic Trade Mark | LegalVision UK","og_description":"If you are going to register a trade mark, it is important that you avoid registering a generic trade mark. We provide tips to avoid this.","og_url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/","og_site_name":"LegalVision UK","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LegalVision","article_published_time":"2022-11-08T16:25:54+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-11-08T19:46:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":902,"height":601,"url":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Fiona Prior","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@LegalVision_law","twitter_site":"@LegalVision_law","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Fiona Prior","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/"},"author":{"name":"Fiona Prior","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/6b01dab4461b6cc0d93030ab7605f773"},"headline":"Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England","datePublished":"2022-11-08T16:25:54+00:00","dateModified":"2022-11-08T19:46:07+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/"},"wordCount":924,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg","keywords":["small business","intellectual property","intellectual property protections","trade mark protection"],"articleSection":["Intellectual Property Articles"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/","url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/","name":"Avoiding a Generic Trade Mark | LegalVision UK","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg","datePublished":"2022-11-08T16:25:54+00:00","dateModified":"2022-11-08T19:46:07+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/6b01dab4461b6cc0d93030ab7605f773"},"description":"If you are going to register a trade mark, it is important that you avoid registering a generic trade mark. We provide tips to avoid this.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923865066"},{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923890799"}],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122023\/business-image-0522144.jpg","width":902,"height":601,"caption":"The Advantages and Disadvantages of Selling Shares in a Company"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Intellectual Property Articles","item":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/category\/intellectual-property\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Tips to Avoid Registering a Generic Trade Mark in England"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/","name":"LegalVision UK","description":"LegalVision is a commercial law firm in the UK with a commitment to innovation","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/6b01dab4461b6cc0d93030ab7605f773","name":"Fiona Prior","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/06\/cropped-cropped-cropped-LV-round-square-2-96x96.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/06\/cropped-cropped-cropped-LV-round-square-2-96x96.png","caption":"Fiona Prior"},"description":"Fiona is a Legal Content Writer for LegalVision UK. She is a qualified barrister and lawyer with an interest in immigration and human rights. Fiona has written extensively for LegalVision on Intellectual Property. Qualifications: Bar Professional Training Course, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Masters Degree, LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice, Queen's University, Belfast, Bachelor's Degree, LLB Law, Queen Mary University of London","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/fiona-prior-30481162\/"],"url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/author\/fionaprior\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923865066","name":"How do I avoid creating a generic trade mark?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Trade marks can take many forms, including words, logos, symbols, colours and slogans. It should be unique; therefore, you should try to be as creative as possible.","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/registering-generic-trade-mark\/#faq-question-1667923890799","name":"How Long Does Registration Last in England?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Upon successful registration with the Intellectual Property Office, your trade mark will be registered and protected for 10 years. You will have exclusivity over your mark within all areas of trade you have registered in.","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/13353"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=178185"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178185\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":178215,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178185\/revisions\/178215"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/3203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=178185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=178185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=178185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}