So a trademark is your brand, which can be in a form of a word, picture, symbol, or a combination of these. Interestingly enough, 3D objects and sounds can also be registered aside from word trademarks and logo marks. What it does, is to seperate your brand from other goods and services that your competitors may offer. You should consider owning a trademark because it protects you and your consumers from counterfeit and fraud. Also, legal action for a trademark infringement is relatively cheap, sometimes as little as a few thousand pounds, compared to the hundreds of thousands of pounds you have to pay for an action claim of passing off in UK, same goes in the US. Trademarks allow the Trading Standards Officer or the police to criminally charge against counterfeit who use your trademark without your consent. It’s a good way to protect your hard earned good name, don’t you think? But what exactly will you register? A  word mark  registers the word itself you want to use,...

  So you've got your company name, you are ready to go into business and get your dream rolling. The next smart thing to do is own a trademark for your brand. That’s the  TM  you see superscripted beside the logos of your favorite brands. For starters, your logo, name or whatever it maybe, is your property. You can sell it, franchise it, or even let other people have a license so they can also use it. Apple Inc, which started in 1976, is now a $400 billion dollar business! Under the company are several programs and products registered like Facetime®, iTunes Store®, and QuickTime®. The long list goes on. What if your startup becomes the next big thing? Trademarks are all about brand recognition and making sure you protect your own business. It makes it easier for you to take legal action against anyone using your idea without your permission. For your beloved consumers, trademarks protect them from counterfeiters and fraud. Trademarks allow Trading Standards Officers or th...