Solidmark is a leading intellectual property agency, based in Worthing, UK, offering trade mark, industrial design and copyright registration services, worldwide.
We are here to help you
Solidmark could assist you with the preparation, submission and monitoring of a National, European or International trademark application.
Our trademark application services include:
National trade marks
If you want protection in a specific country, we can make a trade mark application directly at your national IP office. This is the national route. National level trade marks and regional trade marks are necessary for businesses who do not need protection of their trade marks at international level.
European trade marks
The European Union trade mark system consists of one single registration procedure that gives its owner an exclusive right in the 28 Member States of the European Union.
After any future enlargement of the European Union, any EUTM registered or applied for will automatically extend to the new Member State(s) without any formalities or fees.
International trade marks
The Madrid Protocol gives trade mark owners the possibility of having their trade marks protected in several countries by simply filing one application directly with their national or European trade mark office.
A trade mark, grants its proprietor an exclusive right. The proprietor is entitled to prevent all third parties that do not have his or her consent from using the same, or similar signs, for identical or related goods and/or services, as those protected by the trade mark in the course of trade.
Benefits of registering a trade mark
Benefits of the European Union trade mark
- Who can be the trademark or design owner?
Any natural or legal person, including authorities established under public law, can be the proprietor of a trademark or industrial design.
- What is the difference between a design and a trade mark?
The essential function that they perform is different.
A design is essentially intended to determine the shape of a product.
A trade mark is also applied to the product, but the main function of a trade mark is to identify a particular trade origin in connection with specific goods and/or services.
- Can I use my trade mark before it is accepted for registration?
Yes, a trade mark may be used at any stage, even before filing the application. However, this use does not guarantee the registration of the trade mark.
- How long is a trade mark valid?
A trade mark registration lasts for 10 years, but can be renewed indefinitely.
If you do business in more than one EU country, you should consider the option of obtaining a design right that is valid throughout the entire EU: a registered Community design (RCD).
Design means the appearance of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture and/or materials of the product itself and/or its ornamentation.
A registered Community design is initially valid for five years from the date of filing and can be renewed in blocks of five years up to a maximum of 25 years.
RCDs are governed by a single legal system, providing strong and uniform protection throughout the European Union.
An RCD is easy to register. There is one application, one language of filing and one file to manage.
RCD registration offers the possibility to file multiple applications (i.e. to include several designs in one application, such as variations of the same design).
A design protects the appearance of a product and is intrinsically linked to a product. If there is no product, there can be no protection.
Any industrial or handicraft item including packaging, graphic symbols and typefaces qualify as a product. Parts of products that can be taken apart and reassembled can also be protected.
Colours per se, mere verbal elements and sounds are examples of things that do not qualify as they do not constitute the appearance of a product. However, they may qualify for trade mark protection.
Living organisms and concepts do not qualify either, for the same reason, and do not qualify for trade mark protection either.
Furthermore, your design should respect public policy and certain morality standards. Designs that portray or promote violence or discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be refused.
Please provide us some basic information and we will get back to you with all the details.
Solidmark Ltd
54 Quicksilver Str., Worthing BN13 1FN, UK
+44 (0) 742 769 3628
[email protected]
