Registered trademarks in use
Once we arrange to get a registered trade mark, it is important to use it. When you get a registered trade mark you are allowed to use the well-known symbol of the R in a circle. There are some registered trade marks which are famous the world over. There are others that are famous
in their own country. Some registered trade marks are used extensively in a variety of different products, or in numerous ways:
• by branding the registered trade mark on shop fronts,
• by branding the registered trade mark on the goods/services involved,
• by branding the registered trade mark on invoiced goods/services,
• by using the registered logo on packaging, and
• by putting the registered brand on point of sale materials.
Once you have your registered trade mark, it is important to use it, and to use the registered trade mark particularly for the goods/services that the trademark is registered for. This can be supported by invoices for sales of the branded goods/services. The point about trade marks being "badges of origin" that show they are made by a particular supplier helps.
There was a case where the LPGA lost the registration rights of their mark because of lack of sufficient evidence of use - see our registered trade marks sample cases page. You can also use registered trade marks to differentiate different services or different products in your business. Otherwise you just stay as one of the pack, and lose out on
• the chance to add value,
• the opportunity to legally register a brand,
• the possibility to licence the trade mark to other users,
• the prior rights that trademark registration provide in the event of a dispute.
A registered trade mark must be used within 5 years of registration, and not be unused for a recurring period of 5 years in order to retain the valuable rights attaching to registered trade marks.
Battle For Trademarks finds that businesses seeking to grow, or seeking to stand out from competitors, use registered trade marks quite extensively to influence customers :
• by being recognisable as a badge of origin and quality,
• by distinguishing their goods and services from others,
• through prominent use of the registered brand,
• through having a distinctive signature or style, and
• registered brands that customers can identify readily as being connected with a quality supplier.
In 2009, on account of the economic crisis, the Eu has reduced the costs of registering an EU-wide trademark.
Samples of registered trade marks in use :
Samples of similar trade marks in use :
Look at the brand names in the pictures below. Can you spot the difference? They both come from different manufacturers. The similarity is quite close, and, indeed, both are involved in similar sectors in the food industry. Without your trade mark being registered, you risk the possibility of the goodwill in your brand name being used by others.
For further information, please visit our registered trade marks site map.