A strong brand identity is essential for success in today’s crucial business environment. One key component of brand identity is your business logo.
It communicates your company's ideals, goods, and services to your target market and serves as a visual representation of your business.
However, making a logo by itself is far from sufficient to safeguard your brand.
You might be asking, how is that so?
Creating a unique and outstanding logo is far from enough to give you the competitive edge you crave for your business.
To protect your brand identification and gain long-term advantages, registering your company logo is of the utmost importance.
Why protect my business logo?
Legal Protection
By registering your company's logo, you can establish ownership rights and receive legal protection.
It gives you the sole authority to use the logo in connection with your goods or services, preventing unauthorised use or duplication. You can use a registered mark to protect your brand from infringement and counterfeiting by taking legal action against any unauthorised use.
Prevents Confusion:
Having your logo registered helps to avoid customer confusion. A registered logo serves as a distinctive identification for your brand, setting it apart from rivals. This lessens the possibility that shoppers will connect your logo with other brands or goods, guaranteeing that your brand will stay distinctive and memorable in their thoughts.
Building Trust and Reputation:
Consumer trust in your brand is increased and fostered by a registered logo. You show your dedication to the honesty and professionalism of your brand by investing in the registration process. Because registered logos signify validity, dependability, and longevity, customers are more likely to trust and pick businesses that have them.
Competitive Edge
Having your company's logo registered gives you a marketing benefit. It stops rivals from utilising comparable logos or designs that can lessen the originality of your brand. It becomes more difficult for competitors to copy or infringe upon your brand identification when you obtain exclusive rights to your logo.
Value and Assets
A registered logo increases the worth of your company and turns into a valuable asset. Your logo gets associated with the calibre and reputation of your goods and services as your brand obtains loyalty and awareness. Licenced or franchised use of a registered logo enables you to broaden the appeal of your brand and create new revenue streams.
How to get your business logo registered in Malaysia
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search
It's crucial to carry out an exhaustive trademark search before moving forward with the registration procedure. This search aids in locating trademarks that may be confusingly similar to your company name or tagline. To make sure your slogan or logo does not violate any already-existing trademarks, you can conduct a search on the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) website or get professional help.
Step 2: Prepare the Application
Once you are certain that your slogan or logo is unique, you can get started on the trademark application. The following details are included in the application:
a. Applicant Details
List your company name, address, and contact details.
b. Logo or Slogan Representation:
Provide a visual depiction of your logo or a written explanation of your slogan. You could be required to deliver electronic copies of logos in a particular format.
c. Classifications:
Select the trademark classes that are relevant to your company's operations. There are a total of 45 classes that cover different products and services. You can click here to check what class is the most relevant to your business. Choose the classes that most accurately reflect your company.
Step 3: Submit the Application
To get your hands on the application form (TMA2) you can visit here.
Send your trademark application to the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO). This can be done both physically by visiting the MyIPO office or online via the MyIPO e-filing system. Make sure all necessary paperwork is submitted, including the application form and the filing fee.
Step 4: Application Examination
Your application will be reviewed by the MyIPO following submission. To ascertain whether the application complies with the pertinent laws and regulations, they will examine it. You might need to submit more material or revise your application if any problems or objections are raised during the inspection.
Step 5: Advertisement and Opposition Period
Your application will be published in the Trademarks Journal by the MyIPO if it successfully passes the examination phase. The opportunity to contest your trademark registration is provided by the publication to interested parties within the allotted time frame (often two months). Keep an eye on the publication throughout this time and swiftly address any criticism or objections.
Step 6: Registration and Issuance of Certificate
Your trademark registration will move forward to the registration stage if no opposition is made within the opposition period. Your slogan or logo will have been successfully registered as a trademark, and you will obtain a Certificate of Registration from MyIPO to prove it. Ten years are allotted for the registration's validity; it can be renewed for an additional charge.
Get your business logo registered!
As you may already know, registering your business logo is of utmost importance. You can establish ownership rights, protect your brand identification, and acquire exclusive usage rights by registering your logo.
This not only makes you stand out in the crowd but also guarantees that your logo will always be a potent representation of the reliability, sincerity, and longevity of your company. Don't undervalue the importance of logo registration because it establishes the groundwork for long-term success and sets your company apart from rivals.
