Register a Business: Protect yourself From Trademark Theft

If being self-employed and answering to no one but yourself appeals to you, then you should definitely start your own business. However, you should always register it with the authorities. This is very important, as it will protect your corporate identity from getting duplicated. Let us suppose you have a company named Joe Schmoe Private Limited. You sell only high quality products to your clients at reasonable prices. But then, another company by the same name crops up and starts selling sub-standard stuff to clients. Your brand image will get affected for the other company. On the other hand, if you got your brand name registered, you could sue the other company and force them to cease and desist from defacing your good name in the market. So, how do you go about registering your company name and trademark? It’s not very complicated. Here’s how:

You can register a business name and trademark design at your nearest business registration offices approved by the Government in your country. You have to fill up a few forms and pay a certain amount of registration fees and your business will be registered. It usually takes only a few days. Approach your local business registration offices for details. If you are in doubt regarding the procedure, seek out a good business attorney. He/she will be able to explain things to you more clearly.

If you don’t have the money at hand to get your trademark registered, don’t despair. There is another way of making your trademark legally acceptable, albeit temporarily. Simply put your company logo and name in a sealed envelope, walk up to your nearest post office, and mail it to yourself. When the envelope arrives, it will have the sending date, stamps, etc. making it legally acceptable. As long as you keep the envelope in an unopened condition, it is sufficient as evidence to the registration offices. If you see your trademark is stolen by someone else, all you have to do is bring that envelope to the business registration office. The staff there will open the envelope and analyze the contents. This is called a “poor man’s copyright” system, but don’t expect this to last forever. As soon as you have enough money at hand, do register your trademark formally. That will protect your brand identity from being forged by someone else, forever.