What It Is and How It Can Protect Your Business
The trademark (trademark) is one of the most important elements of a business, ensuring the uniqueness of its brand and preventing its use by competitors. Registering your trademark provides legal protection, enhances visibility and adds value to your business. In this article, we will analyze what a trademark is, why it is necessary and how you can register it for absolute legal protection.
What is the brand?;
The trademark is any name, logo, slogan, symbol or even colour that distinguishes a company's products or services from the competition.
Basic characteristics of a trademark:
- Distinctiveness: It must be distinctive and not descriptive (e.g. “Good Bread” cannot be registered).
- Exclusive: Trademark registration prevents third parties from using the same or similar trademark.
- Protection in specific categories (classes): The trademark applies only to the goods or services registered.
Why is the brand important for your business?;
Registering a trademark offers many benefits, such as:
- Legal protection from copying and falsification.
- Preventing consumer confusion, ensuring that the public recognises your product.
- Increasing the value of the business, as registered trademarks are considered assets.
- Strengthening customer confidence towards your brand.
- Potential for international expansion through global registration.
How can you register a trademark?;
The trademark registration process includes the following basic steps:
1. Search for availability of the signal
Before applying, you must ensure that your trademark is unique. The search is done:
- In the database of the OBI (Industrial Property Organisation) in Greece.
- At the base of the EUIPO for the European Union.
- At WIPO for international protection.
2. Submission of a registration application
Depending on the level of protection you want, the registration is made in:
- National level (OBI - Greece)
- European level (EUIPO - European Union)
- International level (WIPO - Madrid System, covering 120+ countries)
The application includes the description of the mark, the categories of goods/services (classes) and the payment of the relevant fees.
3. Examination by the competent authorities and objection period
The application is evaluated and published for possible objections. If there are no objections, the mark is registered.
4. Issue of a trademark certificate
The registration is valid for 10 years and may be renewed indefinitely.
International trademark protection
If you intend to operate outside Greece, it is necessary to protect your trademark in other countries. The main options are:
- European Trademark (EUTM) - Covers all EU countries through the EUIPO.
- International Trademark (WIPO - Madrid System) - Allows registration in multiple countries with a single application.
- National registration in individual countries, if they are not covered by the Madrid system.
Common mistakes to avoid
- You do not check the availability of the signal before the application is submitted.
- Use descriptive or generic names, which cannot be patented.
- You are not protecting the mark internationally, if you are planning to expand outside Greece.
- Skip the renewal after 10 years, leading to loss of rights.
What DARC Advertising can do for your business
Η DARC Advertising offers specialized trademark registration services, helping businesses protect their unique identity. We undertake trademark registration at national, European and international level, ensuring the absolute legal protection of your brand.
