Before investing time and money in a new brand name or logo, conducting a thorough trade mark search is one of the most crucial steps any UK business can take to protect its intellectual property and avoid costly legal disputes. Using a brand name identical or similar to an existing registered trade mark could unknowingly be committing trade mark infringement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To secure your brand and protect your business, consider filing trade mark applications for your business or trading name and any logos you use before investing heavily in that brand. As part of this due diligence, we recommend searching the trade marks register before filing your application. This article explores the purpose and method of conducting trade mark searches in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awareness of what trade marks are registered that may be similar to yours helps you make informed business decisions. A thorough search helps answer crucial questions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing the answers to these questions before filing your trade mark<\/a> application will allow you to make informed decisions about the business. It will also help you decide where to invest your resources and prepare for potential obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the UK, there are two main types of searches that you could conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Searching the UK trade marks register for identical and similar marks to your own will reveal trade marks that have been registered or applied for in the UK. This search will not reveal any trade marks that have not been registered or are registered only outside the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this search will help you identify high-risk existing trade mark registrations\/applications that cover similar goods and\/or services to you. In the UK, another trade mark can still pose an obstacle to you even if there are differences between your trade mark and theirs if they are confusingly similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A marketplace search can provide additional peace of mind. It can do so by revealing businesses using similar or identical trade marks without official registration. While unregistered trade marks are generally harder to enforce, firms with a substantial reputation can still threaten your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though it is impossible to search the entire marketplace, you could focus your search on key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Searching the marketplace can be costly and uncertain. Because unregistered rights are more difficult to enforce, many businesses search only the trade mark register.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\nTypes of Trade Mark Searches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Search of the UK Trade Marks Register<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Common Law Searches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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