All enterprises must have trademarks. They emphasize style and originality. Their image should be such that consumers can recognize the company among competitors. If done correctly, the purchasing power of goods increases markedly.
What is a company trademark ?
A company’s trademark is a unique logo that distinguishes a manufacturer who uses it in his field of activity. According to the law, a legal entity (LLC, OJSC, ZAO and others) or an individual entrepreneur has the right to a patent. It must be registered with the patent office or with a law firm.
A whole team of specialists works on trademarks, because this is a very responsible job. It is necessary not only to choose a beautiful background and font, but also take into account many other subtleties. The logo can symbolize a wide field of activity, and to come up with the best option is not always easy. It should look harmonious on a billboard and look good both in color and in black and white.
Product trademark
Trademark of goods (brand) - a set of images that cause consumers to positive associations and trust in the manufacturer. It gives uniqueness and value due to impressions, service, image.
Oddly enough, having a brand allows you to earn more money. For example, compare McDonal's with any little-known fast food restaurant. Customers have known the American corporation for many years, so they trust it. Even if the restaurant creates identical products, we will see that in a well-known company they cost much higher.
Trademark specialists divide them into three categories:
- Verbal signs consisting only of inscriptions. For example, Samsung, BMW, Reebok, Coca-Cola. This variety is more common.
- Graphic characters that consist of a drawing. It is enough to see the Microsoft logo or Addidas, as the company immediately recalls.
- Combined drawings. They consist of both an inscription and an image. For example, Beeline, McDonal's, Mallboro.
How to register a trademark?
In order for no one to be able to use other people's trademarks, they must be protected by law. To do this, they should be patented. This can be done at Rospatent (Federal Service for Intellectual Property). The organization itself is located in Moscow. If you live in another city, you can enter her site. In the section “Cooperation with Russian Regions” there are “Supporting Organizations”. It is there that they receive a list of institutions that can register a trademark. Usually these are universities or science libraries.
Registration of trademarks is a rather laborious and lengthy process. You will need to go through three stages:
- To establish the possibility of registering a logo as a trademark. This step implies its compliance with all requirements.
- Check the mark on the database (it contains stamps submitted for registration and registered) for copies.
- Registration of a trademark. The usual duration of this procedure is from 1 to 1.5 years.