Instructions and tips for trademark owners
® = REGISTERED
Your trademark is now officially registered. You are now permitted (though not obliged) to place a ® sign next to it to indicate that it is a ‘Registered Trademark’. Please note: if you have received the certificate of an International Trademark registration (WIPO), please be aware that the trademark only will be officially registered after finalising the various national procedures. In those countries you will have to wait to use the ® sign. This may be particularly relevant for the US. For more information, please contact Chiever.
10 YEAR PROTECTION
In most countries the trademark is valid for 10 years and can be extended by further 10-year periods.
USE
To maintain your trademark rights, you must use the trademark within five years from the registration date. If you do not, a third party could claim that the trademark rights have lapsed.
RESTYLING OF THE LOGO OR DEVICE MARK
To maintain the trademark rights, the trademark must be used as it has been registered. If you restyle or adapt a logo, you are advised to refile the new device mark.
PROOF OF USE
Should you ever become involved in a trademark dispute, it is vital that you can show how long, where and in what way you have used the trademark. We therefore recommend that you collect your evidence of use. Examples of brochures, articles and invoices, printscreens, preferably with dates, are useful evidence.
CHANGES
If the company that is the registered owner of the trademark changes its name or is liquidated, it is important to inform us so we can adapt the registration. If you fail to do so, third parties might claim that the trademark rights have lapsed. Please also keep us informed of any changes of address so that we can notify you of any possible deadlines and about the need to renew your registration.
INFORMATION AND SERVICE
Chiever greatly appreciates the confidence you have placed in us. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, or if you wish to register new trademarks or extend your existing trademark protection to other countries, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to help you.