Trade Mark Registration

1. Trade mark registration 2. The registered trade mark symbol ®3. Make use of your trade mark 4. Renewal 5. International protection 6. Scam Letters 7. Updates to contact details

1. Trade mark registration

Congratulations — you’re now the proud owner of a registered trade mark.

This guide will outline things to consider and next steps to using your trade mark and maintaining your registered rights.

2. the registered trade mark symbol

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Now that your trade mark is registered, we recommend using the registered trademark symbol ® alongside your trade mark.

The registered trade mark symbol can be used wherever your trade mark is used or featured, for example:

- Product labels and packaging;
- Website and social media accounts;
- Advertising and promotional materials;
- Business stationery i.e. business cards, letterheads, invoices, email signatures.

There's no legal requirement to use the registered trade mark symbol, but displaying the symbol indicates you have registered protection for your trade mark.

It can also help to put others on notice about your exclusive rights and deter anyone who might want to use and infringe your brand.

3. Make use of your trade mark

To maintain the validity of your registered trade mark rights, it’s important to make genuine use of your trade mark:

- in relation to the products and services it is registered for; and

- using the trade mark within the country and marketplace it is registered.
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For example, if you have a registered trade mark in Australia, you’ll need to use the trade mark in the Australian marketplace.

If you don’t make use, or continue to make use, of your trade mark another party can potentially challenge the registration.

In Australia, you’ll need to ensure you use your trade mark within 3 years from the date it was registered.

So remember: Use it or you could lose it.

4. Renewal

Your trade mark registration remains valid for 10 years.

At the end of this 10-year period, you can renew the registration.

Trade mark registrations can be renewed every 10 years.

The next renewal date has been noted in our system and we’ll send your reminders closer to the renewal date.

5. International protection

If you have any interest in protecting your trade mark in other countries, please get in touch.

We’ll be happy to advise further regarding a suitable filing strategies and costs.

6. scam letters

Details of your trade mark are published and available on public trade mark databases.

From time to time, you might receive scam letters from various companies about your trade mark registration.

If you receive any letters asking for payment — please ignore them.

As the address for service for your trade mark registration, any official correspondence about your trade mark will be addressed from our office.

If you’re ever unsure about any correspondence, please contact us.

7. Updates to Contact details

It’s important to keep your contact and/or ownership details for your trade mark registration up to date.

This helps to ensure we can reach you with any important matters and due dates, as well as keeping your trade mark registration valid.

If there are any changes to your details, please let us know as soon possible.