Use trade marks in your business
Introduction
Trade marks are signs, symbols, logos, words, sounds or music (such as jingles) that distinguish your products and services from those of your competitors.
A trade mark can be one of the most powerful marketing tools you have, helping customers recognise your business for the quality of its products or services.
This guide explains how trade marks can benefit your business. It outlines the legal rights you have automatically and the added protection you can gain by registering a trade mark. It also sets out what to do if someone else is using your trade mark without permission and how to avoid infringing other people's trade marks.
Subjects covered in this guide
- Introduction
- What is a trade mark?
- How to register a trade mark
- Registering a trade mark outside the UK
- Defend your trade mark
- Respect other people's trade marks
- Trade marks and domain names
- Here's how I deal with trade mark infringements
- Here's how I protected my idea with a trade mark (Flash video)
Intellectual Property Office Central Enquiry Unit
08459 500 505
Actions
- Trade mark overview on the Intellectual Property Office website - Opens in a new window
- Apply to register your trade mark with the Intellectual Property Office
- Intellectual property healthcheck tool on the Intellectual Property Office website (registration required) - Opens in a new window
- Manage your personal list of starting-up tasks with our Business start-up organiser
- View local and national events linked to this topic
