Do you want your brand to stand out among your competitors? Then you should get on with registering your logo. The registration of your logo is an important step in protecting your brand’s image and ensuring legal recognition. The first barrier that many individual brand owners and companies face when it comes to brand building is to register their logo. Because compared to lengthy taglines, logos instantly capture the attention of the customer, making them the most effective communication tool.

Why register the logo?

Logos play the key role of representing any brand’s name. And it helps to retain the image of the product or services offered by the brand. It is like a representing persona that acts as a standalone advertising material for any company. Some companies avoid registering their logo and slowly lose their brand identity among their consumers and get lost among the market competitors. So it is better to register the logo at the initial stage of launching the brand and sometimes revamping the logo will speculate and rekindle the brand awareness among the audiences.

How to register a logo?

There are several important steps to take when registering a logo to ensure the legal protection of your brand’s identity. The first step is to select a unique and distinctive logo that distinguishes your company from others. To avoid theft or cancellation of your logo, avoid any resemblance with existing logos. The logo becomes your company’s identity, and registering it is required for legal enforcement and comprehensive protection.

Next, even if you haven’t begun using the logo commercially, it’s a good idea to register it. This step allows you to secure your logo and protect it from infringement. If there are no errors, the trademark department will review your application and forward it for further investigation. In the event of an error, they may contact you for clarification.

The third step is to have your logo application examined. If your proposed logo or mark meets the requirements, it will be published in the trademark journal by an examiner. However, if the examiner finds any problems with the logo based on absolute and relative grounds of refusal under the Trademarks Act of 1999, they may refuse to publish the mark. You will receive an examination report, and it matters greatly that you respond within the time limits specified.

What happens after the logo is approved?

If no objections are raised after examination, your logo will be published in the logo journal. If no objections are raised, the application will be examined and processed by the logo’s Registrar within four months of publication. In the event of a complaint or objection, a legal proceeding will be held in which concerned parties can establish their claims.

The final stage is logo registration and certification. The authority will grant the registration certificate under the trademark’s seal once your logo is published in the journal without objections. The logo and brand name will be registered in the Trademark Central Register. The registration process takes 12-18 months on average, and the registration is valid for ten years from the date of application filing. To keep the registration active, fill out a Trademark Renewal Application and submit it with the required fees every ten years. It is important to note that if a registered logo is not renewed within six months of its expiration date, the Registrar will remove it from the register.

The registration of your logo is an important step in protecting your brand’s identity and establishing legal protection. While the process may involve legal complexities, it must be approached with a human touch. Working with a trademark attorney and conducting thorough research will make the process of obtaining a logo registration go more smoothly. Remember that logos are more than just symbols; they are the heart and soul of your brand, and registering them as if they were human ensures that they receive the recognition and protection they deserve.