Trade marks - the basics

A trade mark is any sign which distinguishes your products from other people's.  It might be a word, for instance, or a logo or picture, or even a special type of packaging.

Your trade mark rights allow you to stop others from using the same or a similar mark, on the same or similar products, in a way that could mislead customers as to the origin of the products.

You automatically acquire legal rights in a trade mark simply by using it in the course of trade.  You can also register the mark, which gives you more effective protection but naturally costs more.

Where we come in

At Greaves Brewster LLP we can help you to apply for, and obtain, trade mark registrations.  If appropriate we can also advise on your unregistered trade mark rights and how to use them.

We can help you to maintain and exploit these rights, and to enforce them against infringers (people who use your trade marks without your consent).  And we can also help out if you find yourself up against someone else's trade mark rights.