Building positive brand awareness is not something that can be done by accident. This requires consistency in the production of high-quality products that exceed customer expectations. It also requires identifying identifiers that will help your brand stand apart from the rest.
These identifiers could be your business name, logos, symbols, or sounds that you use to market your products. These identifiers are commonly referred to in business circles as trademarks.
Understanding Trademarks
Trademarks help you and your customers distinguish your products from the rest. Sometimes, trademarks become synonymous with a product.
Coca-Cola Company is one example of a registered trademark. Although the company makes many products, the trademark is synonymous with coke, which is one of many soft drinks it produces.
However, trademarks do not only include names. These include logos, symbols and slogans as well as sounds.
Why should I register my trademarks?
It Protects Your Reputation
Some unscrupulous companies may try to take advantage of your brand’s image by using your trademarks for their products. This means that they could be entering your market, as customers might not know the difference. You could also be negatively affected by inferior products.
Registering your trademarks with Canada’s Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is the best way to prevent other people or entities from taking advantage of the reputation you have earned over time.
Registering your trademarks gives you the exclusive right to use your products in marketing. This helps protect your reputation.
It changes perceptions
After you have registered your trademarks, the registered copyright sign (r), can be used on your products, websites, and paperwork. The (r) sign can be used to indicate a serious brand, which can improve perceptions and, therefore, increase the value of your company.
A registered trademark can be a great way to attract top talent when you are recruiting. The right talent can help improve your products and increase your business’s worth.
When seeking expansion financing, perceptions are important. A (r) in your loan application documentation can create a perception of reliability that can positively impact the amount of financing you receive from a lender.
Trademark Registration Process
Search
First, ensure that your trademarks are not already registered in Canada or other countries where they will be used. You can do this yourself, but it is better to have someone help you.
Filling in an Application
Once you have established that your trademarks can be registrable by CIPO and are unique, the next step in the registration process is to apply for registration on CIPO’s website. CIPO will review your application to verify that it meets the requirements. Your application is approved if everything is in order. You will receive a registration certificate.
You will be charged the applicable fees
CIPO has several factors that affect the fees it charges for trademark registration. The fees for trademark registration depend on your industry, how many trademarks you wish to register, and what products you plan to sell with the trademark.
Professional fees may also be required depending on the person you hire. You will also need to pay any applicable taxes.
The average cost of trademarks in Canada is between 3000 and 5000 Canadian dollars. This includes the time it takes to complete your registration.
How long do trademark protections last
Your trademarks will be entered into the CIPO database after you have submitted an application for trademark registration. It may take up to 18 months to receive a registration certificate.
You will be granted exclusive rights to your trademarks after successful registration. This term is renewable for ten years starting from the date that you filed your application.