Basics of Ecommerce Trademarks

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Basics of Ecommerce Trademarks

• A.A.Tejuoso Co.

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Trademark for business

• Being involved in the ecommerce industry, many
  business owners have heard of the term
  trademark many times in their life. However,
  most of them have no idea what a trademark really
  is, and how it could help the business by
  protecting a merchants products and services, as
  well as the brands online reputation.
• In this article, the essential things about
  trademark will be discussed.
• What is a Trademark?
• Essentially, a trademark is any name, word,
  design, or symbol that function to identify the
  products or services of a particular business. It
  distinguishes and differentiates a businesss
  products and services from those of other
  businesses.

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Trademark Registration TM

• When registered properly, the law prohibits other
  businesses to use that particular trademark. In a
  way, it protects a businesss brand names,
  emblems, logos, and even taglines.
• Difference of Registered and Unregistered
  Trademarks
• A trademark is generally divided into two
  categories registered, and unregistered. As the
  term implies, registered trademarks are listed in
  trademark-governing bodies. They are exclusive
  for use only to the company that has it
  registered. Conversely, unregistered trademarks
  are not officially listed, hence it can be used
  by any person or brand.
• Trademarks can be recognized if they are
  registered or unregistered by looking at their
  symbol. An unregistered trademark has a trademark
  symbol () at the end of the word, logo, or any
  graphic design. On the other hand, a registered
  trademark has the registered symbol () at the
  end.

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Trademark Registration TM

• To Register a Trademark or Not?
• Most small businesses do not register their
  trademarks because adding the trademark symbol is
  usually enough to provide their brand with
  adequate protection.
• But, ideally, a trademark should be registered
  for various reasons. Most importantly, a
  trademark should be registered so others will not
  be allowed to copy it or use it without the
  owners permission. Secondly, a registered
  trademark attracts investors because it
  presumably adds monetary value to the business.
  Thirdly, registered trademarks help with
  advertising, especially when an advertising
  agency is involved. Fourthly, business loans have
  greater tendency to be approved when a business
  has registered trademarks. And lastly, a
  registered trademark also helps in selling a
  business.

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Registration Eligibility for Trademark TM

• Trademark Registration Eligibilities
• When it comes to registering a trademark, a
  business should take note of two things the
  trademark to be registered should be unique, and
  it should not be generic, descriptive, or likely
  to cause confusion.
• For obvious reasons, a trademark cannot be
  registered if a trademark of the same name or
  design is already registered. The uniqueness of a
  certain trademark can be checked by inquiring at
  trademark-governing body of the country.

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Intellectual Property Rights Lawyer

• Next, a trademark should not be generic. For
  example, a trademark named Online Store will
  most likely be rejected because other businesses
  in the category also use it. Also, trademarks
  that sound like other trademarks when spoken may
  also not be allowed to be registered. Get your
  business trademark registered with the help of
  intellectual property lawyers Nigeria for better
  future.
• In the end, it is not required to have a
  registered trademark for a company. But if an
  owner wants to improve his business, it will
  certainly do good to have trademarks registered.

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• The Royal Chambers, 23/29 Abibu Oki
  Street, P.O. Box 8842, Lagos, Nigeria ,
  Fax [phone] , Shift Number 234 1 264
  3024, Emaillawyer_at_tejulaw.com