The world is getting smaller thanks to the internet, which makes it easier than ever to market your business worldwide. But as trade becomes increasingly digital, so does trademark law. In order to protect your brand and distinguish your business from others, you’ll need to register your brand in the right country.
What Is A Trademark
A trademark is a word, symbol, design, or other device that is used by a manufacturer or seller of goods to distinguish the goods of that manufacturer or seller from those of others.
Trademarks are a form of intellectual property (IP) that can be classified into two broad categories: word marks and design marks.
Word marks are words used in a particular field of goods or services. A well-known example is the “registered“® symbol. Design marks are designs that have been used by a manufacturer or seller to distinguish their goods from those of others. In order to be considered an effective design mark, the design must be easily recognized.
Registering An International Trademark
Trademarks can only be registered in the country where the owner is located. By registering your trademark in multiple countries, you’re essentially creating a “global” trademark.
There are two ways to register a trademark abroad: through the Trademark system of the country where you’re filing the application and through the Trademark system of any other country.
- Through the Trademark system of the country where you’re filing the application:
In order to file an international trademark registration through the country where you’re filing the application, you must be either a national or resident of that country. The filing fees to register a trademark in a country through this method will vary by country, but they are typically around $2,000 USD.
If you’re a resident of the country where you’re filing the application, you can file an application to register a trademark in the name of your country of residence. If you’re a national of a foreign country, you can file an application to register a trademark in your own country’s name.
- Through the Trademark system of any other country:
If you’re not a national of the country where you’re filing the application, you must file an international trademark application with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), your country’s IP office, or your country’s trademark office. If you file an international trademark application through the trademark office, you must provide evidence that the office is authorized to accept an international application.
The filing fees to register a trademark in a country through this method will vary by country, but they are typically around $5,000 USD.
If you’re not a national of the country where you’re filing the application, you must submit a trademark application through the WIPO. If you’re not a resident or national of the country where you’re filing the application, you must have a local representative file the application.
It is possible to get assistance with filing, and to make the online trademark registration process simple and fast with their professional services, which are hassle-free services designed to cater to all of your trademark needs while keeping in mind international standards and best practices by visiting this link.
