Blog
Apple trade marks the look of its stores in the EU
Retailstorelayouts capable of trade mark protection, according to the EUCourt of Justice Applehas been successful in registering a US trade mark in relation to a three-dimensional trade mark, consisting of the representation of astorelayout,for Class 35 services, namely, ‘retailstoreservi... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Leicester family of counterfeiters jailed
A family running a clothing manufacturing business in Leicester has been sentenced to jail and made to repay earnings made of manufacturing counterfeit clothing, covering 27 trade marks, which include those of Hugo Boss, Nike and Lacoste. The family admitted to offences under the 1994 Trade Mark... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Mt. Gox put Bitcoin Trademark and Domain up for sale.
In March this yearone of the world's leading Bitcoin exchanges, Mt Gox collapsed after being hacked for a second time. The Tokyo-based company filed for bankruptcy protection and admitted it had lost around 850,000 Bitcoins due to hacking. At the time their worth was £330m, altough si... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Wait! Apple Trademark Shop Layout/Design!? So can you trademark anything now?
You have heard of trade marks, patents and copyright all at one point or another in the news and it seems most of the time it comes from the tech giant Apple. Apple really seem to stretch the limitation of trade mark, patent and copyright law when it comes to their business plan. And with this m... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Marvel and DC, Comic Giants Overzealous Protection of Trademark "Superhero"
It is a common trend of large companies appearing to bully small business owners over the use of trade marks. Marvel and DC have recently been applying this to their joint registered trade mark ‘superhero’. DC and Marvel are the biggest brands in comic books and superhero franchises... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Scotch Whisky Trade mark Registered in Australia is a Breakthrough!
Whether you prefer single malt, grain or blended, Scotch whisky (or "Scotch") is a drink enjoyed and cherished by many, from kings, to authors, to movie stars. It is a drink that you want to be the authentic experience. Which is why the registering of the trade mark in Australia is a ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
New Dot London Top Level Domain Name Now Open For Registration!
On 29th April 2014 at 5pm,the Dot London registryopened for applications, enabling businesses to tie their brand to the capital with a .London domain name and registered Trademark owners take priority! Is this an opportunity to consider? London is one of the most famous and influential cities i... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Google "Glass" Trademark rejected! Is it right?
By now you have most likely heard of Google's move into wearable technology in the form of head-mountedcomputer system GoogleGlass. More and more technology from Sci-fifilms is becoming reality, but what does it mean for trademarks? There are constant cas... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Can You Lose Your Trade Mark?
What happens once I have my trademark? Trade mark registrations can technically be made to last forever, so long as you keep up to date with it. Just registering leaves you at risk of losing it in two ways: Revoked! This happens when you leave your trade mark unused, so with no evidence o... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
The Fall of a King: Candy Crush Developers Give Up on "Candy" Trademark in US
The power of negative internet publicity is evident as it seems that the peaceful protests of game developers, in a campaign known asCandy Jamhas stunted Kings resolve in the trademarking of 'Candy' in the US.The mark had only been approved on January 5th of this year but the spark of co... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Candy Crush King Trademark "Candy". Is It Trademark Bullying?
It seems everyone is playing Candy Crush these days, you're hard pressed to find someone who hasn't heard of the addictive franchise. But this is unsurprising since Candy Crush has amassedhalf a billion downloads on Facebook and mobile devices alone and was the most downloaded app of 201... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Can You Lose Your Trade Mark? Sega Just Have!
Sega, one of the worlds most famous arcade game producers have lost their rights to 'Shenmue' after a extended period of inactivity. Trade mark registrations can technically be made to last forever, so long as you keep up to date with it. Sega have recently shown what happens when you ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Marks, bidding on keywords, Know your online rights!
There have been several cases over the past few months of companies making cases for trademark infringement based on the bidding of keyword searches on GoogleAdwords and other search engines. (Google Adwords removed their policy of excluding trademarked keywords in their bidding in 2008.) ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Calls for Community Trade Mark Renewal Fees to be Cut
As reported on World Trade Mark Review, there have been calls on OHIM to cut trade mark renewal fees. These exceed filing fees, are often more than a thousand pounds, and requires no examiner time or deliberation. Simply the press of a button. The prospects of such a voluntary reduction in budge... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Word Marks? Logo Marks? What's The Difference?
So a trademark is your brand, which can be in a form of a word, picture, symbol, or a combination of these. Interestingly enough, 3D objects and sounds can also be registered aside from word trademarks and logo marks. What it does, is to seperate your brand from other goods and services that you... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Lush v Amazon - the lessons for all businesses with a web presence
Alex: So plucky UK company LUSH has defeated the mighty US retail steamroller AMAZON in the UK court Mark: Yes, there were several parts to the case Alex: But it revolved around the LUSH trademark? Mark: Lush brought the case after it found Amazon bid on keywords containing ‘lush&rsquo... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Is It Possible To Register A Trademark Worldwide?
There are 201 countries in the world and unfortunately, there's no single worldwide trade mark. So if you were planning to own trade mark rights worldwide, then you're going to have to file an application in each individually… two-hundred-and-one times... Don’t lose hope ju... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Will You Trademark Your Next Big Idea
So you've got your company name, you are ready to go into business and get your dream rolling. The next smart thing to do is own a trademark for your brand. That’s theTMyou see superscripted beside the logos of your favorite brands. For starters, your logo, name or whatever it maybe, i... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Pinterest Making A Trademark Blunder
If, like me, you spend any time social networking, maybe sharing a new recipe or checking out a new gadget or car. Then you may have heard ofPinterest– the fast growing US photo sharing website that lets you and others pin photographs to a virtual board. What you might not know, isPinter... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Android KitKat - isn't that trademark infringement?
Me) So the clever marketing people at Google have decided to call the next Android Operating System KitKat. This after the current version was called Jelly Bean. My wife) But isn't KitKat trademarked? I can see Jelly Bean is a type of sweet, not a brand, so anyone can use it and no one can t... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Winners of the Nominet Internet Awards 2013
Trade Mark Direct were runners up in the Nominet awards category for Innovative Business. For a full list of those highlighted by the judges click here Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Mark Direct Runners Up in Prestigious Nominet Awards
We came second in the Innovative Internet Business category in the Nominet Internet Awards 2013. “William C Bryant had it right when he observed "winning isn't everything but it beats anything in second place". So gutted not to have won, but congratulations to the firm that b... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Mark Direct Pioneers New Cloud Technology
Trade Mark Direct has been chosen by Microsoft to be profiled on its website as an earlier adopter of its cloud solution, Windows Azure. Founded five years ago and firmly established as the market leader in the UK, Trade Mark Direct is expanding rapidly in the UK and internationally. Windows Azu... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
We're Shortlisted for Prestigious Nominet Internet Awards
Trade Mark Direct, which provides high quality, low fee trade mark registration advice online from qualified attorneys, announced it has made the shortlist of entries for the prestigious Nominet Internet Awards 2013 in theInnovative Internet Businesscategory. The Nominet Internet Awards celebrat... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
UK Leads Growth in Trade Mark Registrations in Europe
Trade Mark growth, which some consider a good early indicator of economic expansion, shows the UK is leading trade mark growth in Europe according to a comparison compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysing published trademark activity from 186 countries and registrars, it found that amongst all coun... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Keep Calm & Carry On (& Be Patient) - An Update
Our bid to cancel the EU trade mark registration for 'KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON' rumbles on. The trade mark registration gives the owner, Mr Mark Coop, trade mark rights in all EU countries over posters, clothing, household items and other merchandise. Mr Coop’s team have just request... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Mark Direct Wins UK Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award 2012
Trade Mark Direct, the UK’s leading online trade mark company, won the UK Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award at the UK IT Industry Awards 2012 on 14 November 2012. Known as the Oscars of the IT world, the Awards are run by Computing magazine in association with BCS, the Chartered Instit... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Mark Direct Wins UK Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award 2012
Trade Mark Direct, the UK’s leading online trade mark company, won the UK Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award at the UK IT Industry Awards 2012 on 14 November 2012. Known as the Oscars of the IT world, the Awards are run by Computing magazine in association with BCS, the Chartered Instit... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Man of the Match
Several readers of the Daily Telegraph (17 September 2012) thought it must be April Fool’s Day when they read about the trade mark on the words, MAN OF THE MATCH . “I know I dropped off during Downton Abbey but it seems I have slept right through to April 1st!” said one. Howev... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Stop the Online Squatters
According to the Daily Telegraph this week disputes over domain names have hit a record high. Domain squatters will usually use an existing company’s trade mark in a domain name to divert traffic to the new fake site or to make the company buy back their rightful name. The Telegraph noted ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
China's Trademark Applications Exceeds 10m
The number of applications submitted for trade mark registration reached over 10 million at the end of June 2012, ranking the first in the world, said ChinaDaily.com this week. China, the ‘workshop of the world’, is the choice for many UK companies when it comes to manufacturing good... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Campaign Update on KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
We would like to give you an update on the 'KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON' campaign and our actions to cancel the EU trade mark registration for'KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON' by a company belonging to Mr Mark Coop. The trade mark registration gives the owner trade mark rights in all EU countr... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
A Trade Mark Can Stop Fakes Ruining Your Business
Fake goods are nothing new but a trade mark can stop a rogue competitor in their tracks. Professional Golf Europe (PGE), a leading manufacturer of high end Golf equipment with brands such as VEGA and Radius putters, recently took action against a Chinese supplier selling fake versions of PGE'... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Marks Are Ring Fenced for the Olympics
The Guardian, in a piece headlined 'You can say it's 2012…but unless you're a sponsor don't mention the Olympics', wrote about the extensive constraints on companies when it comes to anything associated with the Olympics. In 2006 the London Olympic Games and Paralympi... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Mark Direct in the FT
Mark Kingsley-Williams, founder and director of Trade Mark Direct, is quoted in this weekend’s Financial Times (24 – 25 March 2012) on the issue of branding. See the excerpt below: “Mark Kingsley-Williams, founder of Trade Mark Direct, an online legal support service, says the ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Press Release: 90% of Companies Trading Online Have No Trade Mark & Are Risking Livelihoods
In 2012 a shocking number of businesses, around 90%[1] of SMEs, are putting their livelihoods at risk by trading online without a trade mark, estimates Trade Mark Direct, the UK’s leading trade mark company. It can cost a company thousands to re-brand. The cost to Frazer Evett, from Christ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
An Apple a Day in Trade Mark Law
Barely a day goes by without Apple Inc. taking on another business in a corner of the world to protect its brand. This time its focus is directed at New Zealand and a Kiwi entrepreneur, Hayden Crowther, who sells ‘driPhone’ smart phone cases. Mr Crowther has been selling the driPhone... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
A Prime Time to Register Your Trade Mark
If you were one of the thousands of parents across Britain who bought a Tranformers Optimus Prime this Christmas you might be interested (or not!) to know that its toy maker, Hasbro, has filed a suit against computer company, Asus, for alleged trademark violation regarding the use of the name &l... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Trade Mark Direct Advises Caution on New Domain Name
Trade Mark Direct (trademarkdirect.co.uk), the leading UK trade mark company, is advising companies not to rush into buying the new .xxx adult entertainment industry domain name, which launched this week, because for many it will be a needless expense. The new domain name is designed to incorpor... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
The Trade Mark Battle of the Geeks
It was once an insult used to ridicule computer experts. Now the term ‘geek’ is a highly-sought after trademark term, which appears to have transcended parody and now denotes knowledge, learning and expertise…..Well, according to US electronics giant, Best Buy, it does. Best B... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
A Guide To Trade Marks For Designers - Four Step Check List
Designers and brand consultants need to know the basics of trade mark law to advise their clients on the steps that should be taken to protect their IP. Follow the four steps below to ensure trade mark compliance: 1. Will the name or logo comply with the trade mark act? If the name is not &lsquo... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
1 to 1 Trade Mark Advice at the Business StartUp Show, London
We would be delighted to meet you at the Business Startup show (http://www.bstartup.com/) at Earl’s Court, London, on 17 and 18 November 2011, which is free to visit and is perfect for anyone thinking of setting up or expanding their business venture. Head to stand 412 for expert help and ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
We're hiring!
Here's our advertisement Trade Marks: client manager / associate Trade Mark Direct, a dynamic and innovative young firm which files more UK trade marks than any other, require a client manager / associate to support their growing services around advice, registration and if appropriate conten... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
A café in Bonn, Germany, called Apfelkind, is fighting an attempt by Apple to take a bite out of its business. The trouble has arisen from the café’s apple logo, which Apple has deemed too close to its own eponymous logo. The café’s owner, Christin Römer, ha... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Keep Calm and Carry On Fighting Campaign Update
It’s been a month since we launched our action to cancel the EU trade mark on 'Keep Calm and Carry On' and we would like to thank you for all the support we have received. The media too have enthusiastically picked up on the campaign, which has been covered on the BBC (TV and rad... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Keep Calm and Carry on Selling
This is our message to UK businesses selling ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ goods. If you should you receive any correspondence from the trade mark owner, please let us know The law on trade marks is unclear as to whether using text that has been trade marked as a form of decoration (as op... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
A Case Study - The Gamrie Goat
Company: The Gamrie Goat, which produces and sells hand made goat’s milk soaps Trade Mark Issue Founder of The Gamrie Goat, Christine Ralph, found another company using the US version of her internet domain name and so applied to register her trade mark through Trade Mark Direct. Once the ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Protect Your Trade Mark From Day One
When Susan Ma, one of 2011's ‘Apprentice’ hopefuls, trade marked her skincare company’s name before the programme started, she was preparing for a surge of interest and protecting her valuable intellectual properly. While this is a good step, our advice would always be to t... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO TRADE MARKS
85% of small firms are failing to keep their ideas secure said a recent survey by the Intellectual Property Office[1]. A business can stand or fall by its name and logo. A good trademark adds to a brand's value, making it stand out from its competitors. Don’t Delay It is essential to ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Visit us at Business Startup Show
Visit us at Business Startup Show 17-18 November 2011 Earls Court 2 ,London Business & IP Centre (STAND 412) Trademark Direct is exhibiting at Business Start up show(17-18 November) so come and visit us at stand 412 and explore how you can use easy Trade Mark registration from under &po... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
Keep Calm and Carry On
WE NEED YOU! Join us to fight for the right of UK businesses to use the much loved slogan ‘KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON’ When ‘KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON’ was used by the British Government in 1939, Britain was facing a possible invasion. Today, we are seeing the long arm of Europ... Morekeyboard_arrow_right
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