Trademark Protection: Protect Your Brand and Prevent Misuse
A strong brand is one of your company's most valuable assets. You invest time, money, and effort in building your name, products, and services. Trademark protection safeguards that investment and prevents others from benefiting from your success.
By registering your trademark, you obtain the exclusive legal right to use your brand name, logo, or other distinctive elements. This gives you control over your brand and strengthens your position in the marketplace.
Why Register Your Trademark?
Without a registered trademark, your brand is not fully protected. Even if you have used your brand name for many years, another party may be able to register the same or a similar trademark if you have not obtained formal registration.
A registered trademark allows you to:
- Obtain the exclusive right to use your trademark
- Take legal action against trademark infringement
- Prevent confusion among customers
- Protect the reputation and goodwill you have built
Please note: Your trademark must be distinctive. Generic or descriptive terms, such as "Baker" for a bakery, cannot generally be registered as trademarks.
What Can Be Protected by a Trademark?
Trademark protection extends beyond a company name. You can register, among other things:
- Word marks (your brand name)
- Logos and figurative marks
- Colours and colour combinations (for example, Shell's red and yellow)
- Three-dimensional product shapes (for example, the Coca-Cola bottle)
- Sounds and jingles
Any distinctive element that identifies your brand can, in principle, be registered in the official trademark register.
Where Can You Register Your Trademark?
The most appropriate level of protection depends on your current market and future expansion plans. We are happy to advise you on the best strategy.
Benelux Trademark
Registration through the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) provides:
- Protection in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg
- A registration valid for 10 years (renewable indefinitely)
European Union Trademark (EUTM)
An EU Trademark offers:
- Protection in all 27 Member States of the European Union
- One registration covering the entire EU market
- A solution that is often more cost-effective than filing separate national applications
International Trademark
Through the Madrid System, you can obtain:
- Trademark protection in more than 110 countries
- The flexibility to select only the countries where you require protection
How Long Does a Trademark Registration Last?
A trademark registration is:
- Valid for 10 years
- Renewable indefinitely for successive 10-year periods
Renewal should be completed within the prescribed renewal period. As your business and brand evolve, it is advisable to review your trademark portfolio regularly to ensure that your registrations continue to reflect your commercial activities.
We monitor these deadlines for you and will notify you well in advance.
Trademark Watching: Prevent Trademark Infringement
Registering your trademark is only the first step. New trademark applications are filed every day, and trademark offices do not automatically refuse conflicting applications in every case.
Our trademark watching service enables you to:
- Continuously monitor newly filed trademarks
- Receive alerts when potentially conflicting applications are filed
- Take prompt action before problems escalate
We provide free trademark watching during the first year following registration.
Benefits of Trademark Watching
- Helps avoid costly legal disputes
- Protects the value and reputation of your brand
- Gives you the opportunity to act quickly against potential conflicts
After the first year, you can continue using our trademark watching service through an annual subscription.
What Does Trademark Registration or Trademark Watching Cost?
The costs depend on factors such as:
- The number of classes of goods and services
- The geographical scope of protection (Benelux, European Union, or international)
Please visit our Trademark Fees page for an overview of our fees, or contact us for tailored advice.
Let Us Register Your Trademark
Would you like to register your trademark and ensure that the entire process is handled correctly from a legal perspective? We guide you through every step, from availability searches and filing to registration and ongoing trademark watching.
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.