The risk of not protecting your trademark – what’s the worst that could happen?
Trademark registration is an investment. By registering your trademark you create legal rights that would not otherwise exist. Although trademarks are about excluding others from using a similar trademark, they also make sure that after your trademark is registered,...
Why distinctiveness beats differentiation
The conventional wisdom holds that differentiation is an essential part of marketing and product creation strategy. Differentiate or die. Being different means essentially that your brand is perceived to be meaningfully different from its competitors and is bought...
The Trademark Canvas
Here's how it all ties together. Click here for full size pdf
Can you trademark a QR code?
Can you trademark a QR code? Are QR codes like other figurative elements that can be protected with trademark registration? It is possible to trademark many different types of figurative elements. They can be relatively simple, or very complex. Below are some examples...
The end of year trademark checklist
The end of the year is getting closer. This is a good time to review your trademark portfolio to make sure you’re in good IP health when the new year starts. Your product and service names Have you registered your commercial names? Have you released new products or...
Can a trademark substitute copyright? The curious case of Banksy
Trademarks and copyrights are different types of intellectual property, though they are often used to complement each other. A while ago, I wrote about the problems Ferrari faced with protecting its iconic Ferrari 250 GTO. Another curious case dealing with the overlap...