How to Spot Trademark Scams Before They Cost You
Over the last few years, we have seen a sharp rise in trademark scams targeting UK businesses. These scams are clever, convincing, and often arrive shortly after a trademark has been published or renewed. As a UK Trademark Registration specialist, we see first-hand the stress and damage these scams can cause for business owners, so […]
How to Remove Fake Social Media Accounts and Why Trademarks Make It Easier
Fake social media accounts are now one of the biggest online threats to businesses and influencers. From Instagram and TikTok to Facebook and LinkedIn, copycats are creating lookalike profiles to impersonate brands, mislead customers, and in many cases commit fraud. It is not just global names like Adele, Elon Musk, or Selena Gomez who are […]
Trademarks, Designs & Patents: What’s the Right Solution for You?
Every day we receive dozens of enquiries, and they typically fall into two camps: People with a new concept who want guidance on how to protect it. With the explosion of online marketplaces like Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Etsy, people with great ideas can now get their products in front of a global audience. But to sell […]
Acquired Distinctiveness, How Can It Help You Register a Trademark?
What do American Airlines, British Airways, Holiday Inn & Vision Express all have in common? They are all descriptive names and all have trademarks. The first rule of trademarks is that the have to be unique, I always say, you can’t trademark ‘London Butcher’ as it would in theory stop other butchers in London from […]
Hints, Tips and Tales #13: When a Design Trademark Is Just as Powerful as a Patent
My neighbour reminded me of something the other day that, if I’m honest, I’d completely forgotten. That moment when a design trademark can be almost as powerful as a patent. Now, patents, if you don’t already know, are incredibly powerful business assets. They protect inventions and technical innovations, but they come with a catch. They […]
International Branding 101: A Lake Como Lesson
Whilst I was in Lake Como this weekend for my cousin’s stunning wedding, I spotted this in a vending machine on the street. Yes, that’s a condom brand and yes, it’s called “Retard.” Now, linguistically, it makes sense. In Italian, French, and Spanish, it means “to delay” or “to slow down,” referencing the product’s numbing […]
Hints, Tips and Tales #12: We Dropped a Bollock with Our WhatsApp
It may be bold but as a founder who is committed to sharing his business journey, I think it’s important that The Trademark Helpline share not just our wins, but our mistakes too, because let’s be honest, you learn more from the bumps in the road than the smooth journeys. Today’s story is about one […]
Do You Need a Trademark to Sell on Amazon?
You can sell on Amazon without a registered trademark, but if you want full control of your brand and listings, a trademark is essential. Why? Because without a Trademark you open yourself up to other sellers listing under your brand, altering your product descriptions or even undercutting your pricing. Is there anything else in […]
Are You Spending Too Much Time on the Small Stuff?
The Golf Ball Theory – A Simple Way to Prioritise Your Time A well-known analogy explains how we choose to prioritise our time and energy. A man stood in front of a group with an empty jar. He filled it with golf balls and asked, “Is it full?” The group answered, “Yes.” Then, he added […]
Financial Services, where brands don’t matter but trademarks still do
Can you think of one financial services brand that you truly love? In the finance industry, branding often takes a backseat to reputation, trust, and expertise. With the exception of car insurance, unlike most consumer-facing industries where catchy slogans, logos, and memorable mascots can make a huge impact, financial institutions tend to rely more on their credibility andtrack record. […]