Skip main navigation

Trademarks: Think ahead about Intellectual Property

Think about your intellectual property very early in the idea stage. Does your idea have the potential to be patented?

Is there something on the market that is similar to your idea, design check? Intellectual properties also include design so do your homework.

It’s important to begin trademark search registration early in the idea stage. There are tools available that can provide some quick feedback on a potential business name product or design. Consulting with a Trademark attorney is important, trademark registration is not only timely but can also be costly.

All categories of business have specific trademark categories that cover several product forms. Beauty is no exception. Registering a trademark takes time and should be conducted by a trademark attorney. There is also a time limit on how long you can have the trademark without using the mark. In addition, your trademark may be available in one region i.e. US but not in Europe.

Trademarks and Intellectual Property are your identities, your brand you will be spending a lot of time and money building a persona, credibility, quality product having a trademark protects you. Many countries require that you have a trademark to do business in the country. E-Commerce sellers require that brands who sell on their sites have trademark certification. So think of your intellectual properties as assets.

I worked with a brand that launched an eyebrow stencil. It never dawns on us that someone would or could trademark an eyebrow stencil design. However, someone had and we were infringing on their patent unknowingly. The brand was asked to pay a royalty on each stencil we sold. Fortunately, this item was a slow seller so paying a small royalty did not have a huge impact. However, errors like this can cause brands great losses.

Estée Lauder Wins $1.8M In Counterfeit MAC Cosmetics Suit – Global Cosmetics News

Do you know if your intellectual property could be challenged Have you identified your intellectual properties. Are you considering taking your brand global intellectual property laws can vary from region to region. Intellectual property includes more than your company or brand name, your Logo, formulas, product names, can be considered intellectual property.

This article is from the free online

Beauty Decoded: Strategy in the Global Beauty Business

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now