How can I protect my brand?

It is important to protect your brand, even before it becomes established and well received by consumers.

Leaving your brand unprotected gives counterfeiters the chance to exploit your brand and robs you of your right to take legal action against these perpetrators.

You need to register your brand with the appropriate authorities to protect it. It involves conducting relevant searches on your brand name and brand mark to ensure that no one else has already used them. Once your registration is approved, you will be the sole owner of the brand and no one can use your brand without your permission. You can also take legal action against anyone who exploits your brand illegally in the country you have registered your brand in. Note that the legal recourse you can take may vary from country to country.

For registration of brand, you may choose to hire an IP attorney to file the registration on your behalf or do it on your own. You can do simple registrations of brand name and brand mark on your own. For more complicated registrations such as those involving patents, it is advisable for you to seek professional advice and assistance before proceeding.

Above all, you need to bear in mind that it is not the act of registration, but knowing how and what to protect in your company that gives you the legal edge over your competitors.

To protect your brand in Singapore, you may file a trademark registration with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).