5 benefits of registering a trade mark

All businesses, no matter the size, can benefit from a registered trade mark. A trade mark registration can boost consumer confidence in your business by proving your legitimacy, can attract investor interest, and lead to brand loyalty.

The top five reasons that every business should secure a trade mark registration are:

1. Exclusivity

   A registered trade mark grants the owner an exclusive right to use the trade mark within Australia for 10 years. That exclusivity can continue indefinitely, provided the owner renews the trade mark every 10 years and continues using it.

2. Legal brand protection

   It provides a legal mechanism to stop others from using the same or a similar trade mark on similar goods or services. With a registered trade mark, a business can file infringement notices with social media sites like Instagram and online sales platforms like eBay and Amazon. This can allow for easy takedown of infringing content, products or pages without the need to get lawyers involved.

3. Licensing opportunities

   With a registered trade mark, a business can authorise others to use it under licensing terms. Businesses can level their brand value through distributor networks, licensing deals, or even grow their business presence through franchising.

4. Business value

   A trade mark is an intangible asset that can be bought, sold or transferred just like physical property. A registered trade mark increases the value of a business and investors often look at trade mark portfolios before investing in a business or acquiring it. As your brand becomes more successful in its respective market, the value and goodwill in the registered trade mark grows with it.

5. Risk mitigation

   Having a registered trade mark significantly reduces the likelihood that another business will prevent you from using the trade mark. While start-ups consider the upfront cost of a trade mark registration is outside their budget, in many cases it is no more than $1,000 for a trade marks attorney to file an application. On the other hand, the costs associated with rebranding can hit six figures and is time-consuming for the business.

If you’re interested in protecting your brand through a registered trade mark, contact me for a quick chat.