There’s no good reason to leave your intellectual property at risk.
Whether you’re a designer or an entrepreneur, your life’s work should be yours to own. That’s why you need to know about the process of trademarking in Canada. The things you create are just as vulnerable to theft as your phone or wallet – so it’s important to keep them safe.
When you attach a Canadian trademark to your work, you do just that.
If you don’t know how to trademark your IP, there’ no need to worry. This article will tell you all you need to know about getting a trademark in Canada.
Protection Makes for Long-Term Success
When you add a trademark to your work, it sets you up for stability. This allows you to build a strong brand for yourself – one that will stand the test of time.
The time you currently spend worrying about intellectual property theft could be spent making your corporate image stronger. This will encourage others to invest and can help you become known to people as a steady, trustworthy person to work with. With these things come long-term success.
Types of Trademark
It is important to know the difference between the types of marks you can get. These are ordinary trademarks and certification marks.
Ordinary trademarks protect aspects of your work like logos, names, and designs. They consolidate your ownership of these facets of your creation. Certification marks prove that your good or service meets a defined standard.
Think about which you need for your property. It matters to be protected and, where necessary, certified.
Do I Have to Register?
You don’t. There is no obligation to register your trademark.
But it is the only way you can be 100% sure that you have the sole rights to your work and can prove it in a court of law.
When you register your trademark you become part of a nationwide database that shows your ownership of your work. You just have to renew your trademark every ten years. though common law may give you the rights to your work after a certain time, it is much harder to prove in court and leaves you at risk of a lengthy legal battle.
What Can I Trademark?
You can register anything that does not contravene the trademarks act. This means most things relating to your original work will be eligible.
For more information about what does not qualify for a trademark, take a look at the government guidance. This list includes things like names, places, and misleading logos.
Trademarking in Canada Is Easy
Though it might sound daunting, it is a straightforward process. Here are the key steps.
First, do a preliminary search of your trade name to check whether or not it is available. There are online tools to help with this. Click here to try it.
Then, you must submit your application to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The team will look over your application and you may be asked for more information. Once this process is completed, you will be put on the Canadian Trademark Database.
Don’t Keep Waiting to Trademark Your IP
There’s no reason to leave your intellectual property exposed to theft. Now that you know about trademarking in Canada, it’s time to start keeping your work safe.
If you’re looking for more helpful advice about important things like trademarking, make sure you check out our other blog posts today.