Do I need a trade mark?

• If you have a business and do not register your trade mark you run the risk that someone else could:

• copy your brand and register it for themselves forcing you to find another trade mark; or
• carry on a business using your trade mark or one similar. They could then benefit from the goodwill of your business or alternatively damage the reputation of your business.

• Registering a trade mark gives you special rights including that:

• it is owned by you. You can sell it or licence others to use it for a fee;
• it allows you to protect your trade if someone else uses your trade mark; and
• it allows the police to charge counterfeiters with criminal offences.