A trademark is any sign used to designate goods or services, aiming to distinguish them from those of other businesses. It can take the form of a word, logo, image, slogan, product shape, color, or even a sound. A trademark serves an identification function, helping consumers easily recognize the origin of a given product or service.
The owner of a registered trademark gains the exclusive right to use it within a defined scope. This protects both the company from unfair competition and consumers, who might otherwise be misled by products imitating the original.
How to Register a Trademark?
The process of registering a trademark is relatively straightforward, but it requires some legal knowledge and attention to detail when selecting the sign. At MUG, the entire process is supported by the Technology Transfer Center and handled by the Patent Office with which the university collaborates. Here are the steps involved in registering a trademark:
- Choosing the Right Trademark Before deciding to register, ensure that your trademark is unique and stands out from the competition. The sign should be easy to remember and recognizable.
- Conducting a Search Before submitting an application, it’s worth conducting a search in the Patent Office database (in Poland, this is the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland) or the relevant authority in other countries. This allows you to check whether there are already registered trademarks that might be similar to yours.
- Filing the Application In Poland, the trademark registration application is submitted to the Patent Office. This process involves a fee, the amount of which depends on the number of classes of goods and services for which the trademark is to be registered. The waiting time for a decision can range from several months to even a year.
- International Protection If you plan to expand your operations beyond national borders, it’s worth considering international protection for your trademark. You can register a trademark in multiple countries through the Madrid System (International Registration of Trademarks), which allows for the protection of several countries at once.
Although the registration process may require some effort and investment, the long-term benefits of protecting your brand are well worth it. In today’s business world, where competition is fierce and markets change daily, effective brand protection has become one of the key elements of a company’s strategy.