Trade Mark

A trade mark is a sign that you can use to distinguish your business’ goods or services from those of other traders.

It can be represented graphically in the form of your company’s name or logo.

Trade marks can be in the form of letters, words, names, signatures, labels, devices, tickets, shapes and colour, or any combination of these elements.

A trade mark can add value to your business. Using a trade mark can help customers easily identify and remember your products and services, allowing you to build customer loyalty and protect your market share.

Once you register your trade mark, you will enjoy a monopoly over its use. You may:

License it to third parties
Sell it for a sum

If you have successfully registered a trade mark, you can use the ® symbol next to your mark.

If you use the ™ symbol, this tells others that you are using the logo or name as a trade mark, but the mark may not be registered or protected under trade mark laws.

Once your trade mark is registered, it will be protected for 10 years. You may renew the registration upon its expiry.

Issuance of IP registrations
99% within 12 MONTHS from date of application

Adjudication of cases
Within 3 MONTHS from date ready for full hearing

Issuance of Grounds of Decision
Within 3 MONTHS from hearing

Timeliness of first office action
90% within 4 MONTHS from application

Quality of decision
when accepting a mark for registration