Trademark registration benefits are numerous even when considering the initial process and costs.

Even when a company doesn’t use the trademark such as the logo or brand name, the mere fact that it is registered affords the company or owner the right to stop the usage or successful registration of any logo or brand name that resembles the one owned.

Even when only an illusion of resemblance is created, can the owner take steps to prevent the further usage of the trademark.

Trademark registration is thus the first important step in protecting a company brand. Without the trademark registration the owner will have a difficult time to prevent others from using the logo or brand name and will have to base their case on common law.

Another one of the trademark registration benefits not to be overlooked is that of notification to all interested parties of any rights to which the applicant may claim.

The details of such as registration are kept at the Trade Marks Office for South Africa. If someone else wants to register a similar trademark, the searches through the records at the Trade Marks Office will bring to light that such a trademark registration already exists – thus protecting the current owner against accidental similar registrations by other parties.

Contact details for Smit & Van Wyk:

Tel:
+27 (0) 12 349 7800

Fax:
+27 (0) 86 619 0493

E-mail:
enquiries@svw.co.za

Physical Address / Courier:
Block A Apex Corporate Park
Quintin Brand Street
Persequor Technopark
Meiring Naudé Avenue
Pretoria
0184
South Africa