# Making your mark: an introduction to trademarks Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2020-07-27 Category: TRADING Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/trading Meta Title: Protect Your Brand with Trademarks Meta Description: Learn how trademarks can safeguard your business from unnecessary risks and help you stand out from competitors. Contact Turner Little for expert advice. URL: https://financedigest.com/making-your-mark-an-introduction-to-trademarkshtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/untitled-design-2020-07-27t165454-1736838879379-compressed.jpg) _By **James Turner,** Director at [Turner Little](https://www.turnerlittle.com/)_ Are you looking to protect your brand? The chances are, you are – but without a trademark, you are opening your business up to unnecessary risk. Trademarks are a valuable asset and allow your business to grow. They also signify quality which encourages consumers to your goods instead of your competitors. So, let’s explore what they really are, and how they can benefit you. James Turner, [Director at company formation specialists](https://www.financedigest.com/fiat-republic-the-specialist-baas-platform-that-bridges-web3-and-banks-announces-the-appointment-of-two-industry-experts-as-non-executive-directors-to-the-board-of-its-dutch-subsidiary.html "Fiat Republic, the specialist BaaS platform that bridges web3 and banks, announces the appointment of two industry experts as Non-Executive Directors to the board of its Dutch subsidiary."), Turner Little, shares “Your name, brand and marks are just as important as the foundations you build them on. A trademark will distinguish you from the competition.” **What is a trademark?** By definition, a trademark is a sign that differentiates one trader’s goods and services from another. Trademarks can be words, logos, pictures or a combination of these. They are used so that a product or [service that one trader provides can be recognised by customers](https://www.financedigest.com/how-customer-services-has-changed-during-covid.html "How Customer Services Has Changed During Covid") and can’t be imitated by others. To register a trademark, the mark must be: - Distinctive for the goods and service that you are applying for - Not deceptive or contrary to law or morality - Not similar or [identical to any earlier marks for the same products or services](https://www.financedigest.com/how-digital-identity-verification-will-revolutionize-security-defenses-in-the-financial-services-industry.html "How Digital Identity Verification Will Revolutionize Security Defenses in the Financial Services Industry") ![James Turner](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/james-turner-headshot-2-450x296-1736838879335-compressed.jpg) James Turner There are 45 trademark classes which cover all goods and services. For example, class 25 covers clothing, footwear and headgear. If you were to trademark a [brand name under class](https://www.financedigest.com/impact-com-acquires-pressboard-providing-publishers-with-a-best-in-class-platform-for-branded-content-as-digital-advertising-is-deprioritised.html "impact.com acquires Pressboard, providing publishers with a best-in-class platform for branded content as digital advertising is deprioritised") 25, it would prevent all other traders from producing any item of clothing, footwear or headgear that appears in that class from brandishing your name or logo. If another trader decided to use your name in class 15, [musical instruments](https://www.financedigest.com/musical-instruments-market-insights-deep-analysis-of-key-vendor-in-the-industry-2022-2026.html "Musical Instruments Market Insights, Deep Analysis of Key Vendor in the Industry 2022-2026"), there would generally be nothing to stop them from doing so. However, you can trademark your goods and services in as many classes as you require, so long as you have a genuine use for [claiming that class](https://www.financedigest.com/activision-beats-shareholder-class-action-over-sex-bias-claims-for-now.html "Activision beats shareholder class action over sex bias claims, for now"). **Why trademark?** When you trademark, you protect yourself from unauthorised use of your mark. Without a trademark, a company imitating you could cause you [loss of business or damage](https://www.financedigest.com/at-cop27-climate-loss-and-damage-funding-makes-it-on-the-table.html "At COP27, climate ‘loss and damage’ funding makes it on the table") the reputation of your trade. With a trademark, you can take legal [action to stop](https://www.financedigest.com/tf1-to-take-action-against-vivendis-canal-over-decision-to-stop-airing-its-programmes.html "TF1 to take action against Vivendi’s Canal+ over decision to stop airing its programmes") this from happening if it arises. You may sue for infringements under trademark law. For this to succeed, you simply need to demonstrate that someone else has used a mark the same as, or similar to, your own registered mark on goods or services similar to the category yours is registered in. In certain circumstances, the deliberate use of your mark by another without your knowledge may be classed as counterfeiting. This is a criminal offence, and criminal proceedings may be initiated under trademark law by police and [Trading Standards Officers](https://www.financedigest.com/uaes-adnoc-to-open-swiss-trading-office-next-year.html "UAE’s ADNOC to open Swiss trading office next year"). Without a registered trademark, you can still be protected by the law of ‘passing off’, but this can prove to be a long and costly ordeal. Turner Little have decades of expertise registering trademarks, so our [experience will help you get it right first time](https://www.financedigest.com/how-omnichannel-identity-servers-help-enterprises-enhance-customer-experience-unlock-cost-savings-and-accelerate-time-to-market.html "How omnichannel identity servers help enterprises enhance customer experience, unlock cost savings and accelerate time to market"). Talk to us about [securing exclusive](https://www.financedigest.com/exclusive-amazon-to-secure-unconditional-eu-approval-for-8-5-billion-mgm-buy-sources.html "Exclusive-Amazon to secure unconditional EU approval for .5 billion MGM buy – sources") rights to your name today. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---