Trademarks
What is the U.S. trademark application process?
How Does the Trade-Mark Registration Process Work? U.S. trademark applications can take anywhere from 12-18 months from time of initial filing to approval for registration. However, this timeline make take additional time depending on the specifics ...
What are the different classes to choose from for my goods or services?
What are the different classes to choose from for my goods or services? Below are the general classes that follow the NICE class system recognized by the principal trademark bodies throughout the world. You can search the Manual to determine which ...
What “classes” should I include with my trademark application?
What “classes” should I include with my trademark application? The Canadian Intellecutal Property Office (CIPO) uses the Nice Classification system, which has 45 classes to organize goods and services for trademark applications. Classes 1-34 cover ...
Do I have to register separate applications if I have my business name in design or logo?
Do I have to register separate applications if I have my business name in design or logo? Canadian trademark law recognizes two types of trademarks, “word marks” and “design marks”. As their name implies, word marks consist of a word or a series of ...
How Long is my Registration Good For?
How Long is my Registration Good For? In Canada, registration of a trademark is valid for fifteen (15) years. A trademark registration is renewable every fifteen (15) years upon payment of a renewal fee.
Do I Need to use the "TM" or "®" for my Trade-Mark?
Do I Need to use the "TM" or "®" for my Trade-Mark? Although not required by law to do so, trademark owners often indicate ownership or registration of their trademark through certain symbols, namely "TM" (trademark) or "®" (registered trademark). ...
How Does the Trade-Mark Registration Process Work?
How Does the Trade-Mark Registration Process Work? In Canada, registration of a trademark consists of having the trademark entered on the Trademarks Register of the Trademarks Office of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office of Industry Canada. ...
What Protection is Awarded by Registering a Trade-Mark?
What Protection is Awarded by Registering a Trade-Mark? Registration is proof of ownership and therefore a key way of protecting a trademark from misuse and imitation. Registration is not obligatory but is highly recommended because it is a way of ...
Should I register my Design as a Trade-Mark?
Should I register my Design as a Trade-Mark? Where a chosen trademark is a "design mark" (i.e., consists of words in combination with a design), the owner may wish to consider registering the words and the design separately. Separate registrations of ...
How do I Select a "Good" Trade-Mark?
How do I Select a "Good" Trade-Mark? When choosing a trademark, you should make every effort to use arbitrary and fanciful terms. Suggestive terms make for very weak trademarks and should be avoided whenever possible. Descriptive and generic terms ...
What are the Criteria for determining a "Good" Trade-Mark?
What are the Criteria for determining a "Good" Trade-Mark? The nature of the terms used as a trademark is extremely important from the standpoint of: initial registrability; and lasting viability as a trademark, since the trademark must be capable of ...
What is a Trade-Mark?
What is a Trade-Mark? Success in business may depend, to a large extent, on message conveyed and image projected. A product or service may be excellent, but if the supplier of the product or service does not stand out, it may be overlooked in favour ...