[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.25.4″ background_image=”http:\/\/www.humetaylor.com.au\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/banner-about.jpg” custom_padding=”64px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25.4″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”60px” text_line_height=”1em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” text_text_align=”center”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#B50038″ divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”3.25.4″ width=”80px” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.25.4″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”3.25.4″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end=”#fafafa” background_color_gradient_direction=”135deg” background_color_gradient_start_position=”35%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”35%” width=”100%” max_width=”2560px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|||” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25.4″ custom_padding=”|4%|50px|12%||false” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”3.25.4″ width=”16%” custom_margin=”||”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Section1 – Content” _builder_version=”4.3.2″ text_font=”||||||||”]<\/p>\n
When choosing a business name, product name or logo for registration as a trade mark you should be mindful of a number of requirements under the Trade Mark Act 1995 <\/em>as not all marks can be registered or registered easily. These requirements include:<\/p>\n Distinctive Marks A common mistake is that a mark is too descriptive, such that it indicates a kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, or geographical origin. \u00a0The law is very hesitant to grant an individual a monopoly in a generic term.<\/p>\n An example of a descriptive mark would be \u201cSteve\u2019s Computers\u201d compared to \u201cApple\u201d, which is distinctive in the context of computers and software. The same applies for logos, you should avoid using a graphical representation of the product you are selling.<\/p>\n A mark that has acquired distinctiveness over time may be registered, provided sufficient evidence to support such a claim. However, as a general rule, it is best to avoid generic terms and symbols.<\/p>\n Already In Use Australia is a \u201cfirst to use\u201d jurisdiction compared to a \u201cfirst to register\u201d jurisdiction. Therefore, if another trader can prove they used a mark before you did, you may have difficulty registering your mark.<\/p>\n Hence, it is important to do an extensive search of not only IP Australia\u2019s register, but also the internet, for both identical and similar marks. We can offer search services for our clients when registering a trade mark.<\/p>\n Surnames Misleading<\/strong> Marks Geographical Names We note the above list is not exhaustive and we recommend seeking legal advice before applying for registration.<\/p>\n If you would like assistance with a trade mark registration or other intellectual property matter, please do not hesitate to contact our office.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”background_image” background_image=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” custom_padding=”300px||300px||true” custom_padding_tablet=”240px||240px||true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”contact” _builder_version=”3.25.4″ background_color=”#fafafa” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_module=”173″ saved_tabs=”all”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”3.25.4″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||||false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25.4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.3.2″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font=”|300|||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”24px” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px||20px|||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#B5003B” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”3.25.4″ width=”16%” custom_margin=”||10px”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.3.2″ custom_margin=”0px|||||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>To register a trade mark, you need to ensure your mark is distinctive such that it is able to distinguish the product or business from the rest of the market. <\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>You cannot register a mark that is substantially identical or deceptively similar to a currently registered mark within the same category of goods and services.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Although you are not prohibited from using your surname as a mark, you may find it difficult to register if it is a common name such as \u201cSmith\u201d.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>You should not use a mark that might mislead, for instance \u201cOnly Organic\u201d for a restaurant selling non-organic food.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>If you wish to use \u2018Adelaide\u2019 or \u2018Australia\u2019 in a name, it may be difficult as other traders may also wish to denote their origin.<\/p>\nContact us<\/h2>\n