Intellectual Property Law

Trademarks are a key component of any productive organization advertising strategy as they allow them to identify, promote and license their goods or services in the marketplace and to distinguish these from those of their competitors, thereby cementing customer loyalty. A trademark symbolizes the promise of a top quality item and in today’s global and increasingly electronic marketplace, a trademark is often the only way for consumers to identify a company’s goods and services. Trademark protection hinders moves to “free ride” on the goodwill of a business by using similar distinctive signs to marketplace inferior or comparable goods or services. Loss, dilution or infringement of a high-value trademark could prove devastating to a enterprise. World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) which oversees … Read entire article »

We are frequently approached by trademark owners concerned that their competition has registered a domain name that is comparable to their trademark and is using the very same to divert consumers away from their own companies.  Here is what you want to know about the relationship between trademarks and domain names and what you can do to safeguard your trademarks from being used against you in competing domain names. Registration of a Domain name is Not Trademark Use As you are most likely conscious trademark rights usually attach to a trademark upon use of the mark in commerce.  Though there are other techniques to reserve rights in a mark just before it is in use, employing the mark is usually a pre-requisite to securing rights therein. … Read entire article »